Daejeon Hana Citizen seal K League 1 safety with a game to spare

Daejeon Hana Citizen have sealed safety from relegation with a game to spare. The Purples earned a 2-1 away win over Incheon United in Round 37 of the 2024 Hana Bank K League 1 season, a result which in turn condemned Incheon to relegation.

 

A quick-fire double with goals from Masatoshi Ishida and Anton Kryvotsyuk inside the first 15 minutes, both with calm finishes from inside the box, ensured Daejeon earned the three points, kept their Final B unbeaten run going, and ensured Hwang Sun-hong's men will be in K League 1 next season.

Hwang Sun-hong took over in early June with the team 11th in the table, level on points with Daegu in 12th after a start to the campaign that saw the Purples pick up just three wins from 16, losing eight. A 1-0 home loss to Jeju United in Round 15 ultimately led to the departure of Lee Min-sung as manager, the man who'd guided the team to promotion via the playoffs in 2022.

After a 1-0 win at home to Daegu on June 2nd under a caretaker manager, Hwang took over for the away trip to Pohang Steelers in Round 17. His tenure began with a 1-1 draw at the Steelyard and his first win came in the following league match, coming from behind to beat Gwangju 2-1 in Round 18.

But it took the Purples a while to find their feet under Hwang and had to wait until Round 26 to get their next win - 2-1 away to Suwon FC which was the team's first on the road this season. Coincidently, Hwang's first match in charge of Daejeon in his first spell ended in a 2-1 win away to Suwon. 

While the start of the season led to the departure of one manager, the team's form at the end of the season justified the club's controversial decision to bring back Hwang Sun-hong. The Suwon win kickstarted an impressive run of form which, heading into Round 38, stands at just two losses in 12, seven wins, and three draws.

Another return to the club, that of attacking midfielder Masatoshi Ishida, a player that Hwang Sun-hog tried to sign for Daejeon in 2020 but ultimately lost out to Suwon FC due to the time it took to officially take the reins at Purple Arena, helped inspire Daejeon to safety.

Masa has scored five and assisted three in 14 appearances. His goal contributions have earned Daejeon 10 extra points, including the opening goal in Sunday's Round 37 win over Incheon. With five goals, he is the team's top scorer this season, and with eight goal contributions, he leads the team in that regard too.

Daejeon will end the season at home to Jeju United knowing that a could will move them up to eighth place, matching their exploits from last year in both league position and number of victories.