How will Daejeon Hana Citizen approach the last four games?

Daejeon Hana Citizen are safe and will be in K League 1 in 2024. The draw 1-1 with Suwon FC in Round 34 sealed it with four games still to spare which begs the question, what's the team's motivation between now and the end of the season?

After flirting with the top six and, at one point, the AFC Champions League places, some sections of the Daejeon Hana Citizen support may feel a bit disappointed about their team being in Final B post-split. But safety sealed was well before the last day and with minimal fuss and there have been some memorable wins over the likes of Usan, Jeonbuk, FC Seoul, and Suwon Bluewings. Lee Min-sung and his men have some breathing space but they shouldn't be giving up just yet.

What's been said?

When asked if there'll be rotation now that safety has been sealed Lee Min-sung told the media that that might not necessarily be the case: 

"Firstly, that is something that I had been thinking about but players' fitness is something I'll have to keep tabs on in training. If players aren't fit then I can't give them the chance to play. If we can say that they are in good shape then B team players or players who haven't played too much in the first team will be given opportunities.

This was something that was reiterated to the players when speaking to them after the Suwon game:

"You've all worked hard to secure safety. Truly, I appreciate that you've done that. There are players who will have played (this season), and those who won't have. To those who have played, you can't just forget that you're professional footballers. There are four games left and we' 'll be looking to make Tiago league's top scorer, Leandro too for top assist maker. As a team, this is something that teammates do together. Players who aren't fit to play won't play, that's for certain so make sure to look after yourselves and let's keep going."

Captain Ju Se-jong speaking to the players after the Suwon game:

"For Suwon, they don't mean too much to us (players) but to the fans, Suwon is a team that they really want to beat. But because they're a team that the fans want to beat by any means possible it's something that we have to make happen, isn't it? The fans go to a lot of effort for us, they sing for us; (against Suwon) I want you to keep that in mind and be ready. Plus, thinking about it, as well as Suwon, as you know, Gangwon are a team that we can't lose to."

Points of interest

R35 Suwon Bluewings (a)

First up after sealing safety is the season's second trip to Big Bird. The motivation for Daejeon could well be to simply pile the relegation misery on a rival, certainly from the fans' perspective who'll be travelling in their numbers once again. Daejeon won't be able to relegate Suwon Bluewings in Round 35 but a defeat to Daejeon wouldn't do their survival chances any favours.

But, one thing that Daejeon could achieve with a win is a first unbeaten season against the Bluewings since 2012. But, that season the two teams only met twice and so the last time Daejeon went unbeaten in four matches against the Bluewings in a single season dates back to 2003 when the record was three wins (one in K League Cup) and one draw. Therefore, a second win or a draw at Big Bird in 2023 would match a 20-year-old record. The match is also a chance for Daejeon to protect the 'Football Capital Derby'-winning pride they've accumulated this season.

R36 Gangwon FC (h)

Gangwon FC are set to visit in Round 36, the team that came back from a first-leg defeat to win the 2021 promotion-relegation playoffs and condemn the Purples to another season in the second tier. Daejeon may feel as though they have already avenged that playoff heartbreak having beaten Gangwon twice this season and given the fact that they're safe but Gangwon are a bit of a mess, and their visit to Purple Arena in Round 36 could be a chance for Lee Min-sing and the players who remain at the club to further pile the relegation misery on Gangwon. Seven players who were involved in either of the two playoff legs against Gangwon remain at the club. The likes of Lee Hyun-sik and Masatoshi Ishida, two former Gangwon players, will be looking to put on a performance.

R37 Jeju United (a)

Daejeon have only ever managed eight away wins over Jeju in 26 matches and although their most recent was only a few years ago (3-2, May 2020) it came in K League 2. The club's last away win over Jeju in the top flight dates back to October 2013 and is something that they have only done three times in the last 17 years.  Of the four remaining games, Jeju away will be the first dead-rubber of the season if the islanders are also mathematically safe but it might be one the fans are looking forward to.

R38 FC Seoul (h)

On the last day of the season Daejeon host FC Seoul for what will be a chance to go unbeaten against the capital club all season for the first time ever. Daejeon won the two previous visits of FC Seoul and drew 0-0 in what was their only trip to Sangam this term. The players, coaching staff, and fans will want to end the season on a high.