Kim Bo-kyung brace seals win at Daegu

Jeonbuk Hyundai moved to within a point of Ulsan Hyundai at the top of K League 1 overcoming Daegu FC thanks to a brace from Kim Bo-kyung. In a relatively routine victory for Jose Morais' side Gustavo made his full debut for the club while Daegu missed the mercurial powers of Cesinha.

Match Report - Daegu FC 0-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai

It would have still felt strange for both sets of players to play in front of fans again and Daegu's foot-stomping support was certainly well orchestrated. Instructions popped up on the big screen at timely intervals to create a decent atmosphere considering the 10% limit on attendance to just over 1100 spectators. After an even opening 20 minutes Dejan Damjanović looked to have the first opening as Song Beom-keun scuffed his clearance to the veteran striker 25 yards from goal but the Daegu striker could not convert a sixth goal of the season. Kim Bo-kyung broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, cutting inside to whip the ball past Gu Sung-yun into the top-left corner. Kim netted his third Jeonbuk goal inside a week on the stroke of half time, reacting first to a rebound on his own shot. The second half played out without much incident as Modou Barrow was once again introduced to the fold on the left wing. Caretaker Daegu boss Lee Byung-geun brought on Edgar da Silva at half time but he failed to make the impact he did at Suwon Samsung Bluewings last weekend.

After a slow start to life at Jeonbuk, 2019 K League MVP Kim Bo-kyung netted a brace.

Jose's personnel switch

Prolific from the bench since joining the club. Gustavo finally started his first game since arriving in place of youngster Cho Gue-sung. Lee Sung-yoon was drafted in as the U22 option on the left wing for just his third appearance for the club. Brazilian striker Gustavo certainly provided a physical presence needed up against a striker of Jeong Tae-wook's stature. With the two aforementioned U22 players and Lee Soo-bin, Jeonbuk boss Jose Morais has some options at his disposal, especially should winger Lee Sang-yoon become more influential in the second half of the season. Gustavo did not have the impact he had in previous victories over FC Seoul and Busan IPark, but is certainly a much-needed boost for Jeonbuk's title aspirations.

Daegu's battle against experience

Shin Chang-moo and Jeong Seung-won are hardly spring chickens in term of K League action but tonight came head-to-head with two seasoned internationals in their wing back roles. Elsewhere in defence and Daegu's central defensive trio were exposed mercilessly by Kim Bo-kyung in the first half as the former Cardiff City man strode through at relative ease. With Cesinha sitting in the stands through injury, Son Jun-ho enjoyed a relatively trouble free night in central midfield, especially when Daegu played one up top. as Dejan Damjanović and then Edgar cut isolated figures up front. Daegu never truly looked like trouble Song Beom-Keun's goal, pumping a lot of crosses into the box but without the required quality.

Fans entered the DGB Daegu Bank Park for the first time this season.

Tight at the top

Courtesy of victory Jeonbuk have now closed the gap to league leaders Ulsan Hyundai to just one point. Jeonbuk have a run of favourable fixtures including Suwon Bluewings away next weekend before a tasty looking clash at home to Ulsan in late September precedes the split. Meanwhile, Lee Byung-geun's Daegu side sit level on points with Pohang Steelers in the battle for Asian Champions League qualification. Depending on who wins the FA Cup this season, Daegu could be a great bet for a return to the continental stage even if they do not finish above the Steelers in the final standings. Both these sides are likely to meet again in the post split fixtures and Daegu would certainly hope that Cesinha would be available to face Jeonbuk for a first time this season.