Daegu FC look to break winless streak at home

Daegu FC return home this Sunday evening to host title contenders Ulsan Hyundai Horangi. Can the Sky Blues break the winless streak at home in Round 6? Or will the Horangi get back to winning ways? K League United's Daegu FC correspondent Muyeol Jung previews the clash.

Recent Form

Daegu FC
Lee Byungguen's side have gone five games without a win and sit 10th on goals scored in the table. However, the situation isn't looking as bad as it sounds, considering the way the Sky Blues actually reacted at Jeonbuk away this midweek.

In fact, it looked like the Sky Blues were on their way to collapse themselves when they easily conceded the early goal due to terrible goalkeeping, but they somehow came back to level the game through a great header by Tsubasa. In the second half, a brace from Stanislav Iljutcenko gave the Motors a two-goal cushion, but Cesinha's strike gave the Sky Blues a lifeline until the final whistle.

Ulsan Hyundai Horangi
Hong Myungbo's side dropped points in a goalless draw against Jeju United at home and are two points off the top. Despite it being early season, Jeonbuk and Ulsan are already competing in the title race and Ulsan need to keep up with them.

In midweek, Hong freshened up his side by handing Austrian forward Hinterseer his first start, but the change didn't come to fruition after the forward was taken off without a single shot attempted until an hour. The Horangi pushed hard for three points at home with Lee Dongjun, Lee Chungyong, Kim Insung and Valeri Qazaishvili introduced, but they failed to break the deadlock.

Team News

Ahead of this Sunday's clash, the Sky Blues have Hwang Soonmin (relapse of fatigue fracture) and Tsubasa Nishi (hamstring) added to their injury list; Park Gidong (back), Edgar da Silva (Achilles), Hong Jungwoon (ACL), Kim Wooseok and Sue Gyeongju (unspecified injury) remain unavailable.

Meanwhile, usual U22 player Jo Jinwoo will serve a two-game suspension after he was shown a direct red card for a dangerous tackle list time out. Jung Seungwon remains doubtful due to contractual problems with the club.

On a positive note, recent acquisition Brazilian midfielder Serginho, who made a surprising appearance in Round 2 as a substitute, is expected to return after he had a break upon his request due to a minor knock. He is likely to play in the place of the Japanese midfielder.

In goal, despite his critical mistake easily converted by opposing Jeonbuk player, Mun Kyunggun will likely keep his place again, trying to make amends.

The visitors have no suspensions, but they have young striker Kim Jihyun out with injury and left full back Hong Chul doubtful after he was rested due to injury.

Austrian forward Hinterseer needs to respond.

Ulsan's biggest concern is up front after Austrian forward Hinterseer didn't live up to expectation last time out. He still needs time to adapt to Korean football. Therefore, Lee Dongjun could return up front to play as a false nine, otherwise, the Austrian national could continue to start with Lee moving to the right flank.

As far as U22 players are concerned, Kim Minjun has been doing really well with two goals scored and will keep his place for Daegu away.

What to Watch

Can the Sky Blues turn things around?
It could have been worse after Daegu fell behind when Mun Kyunggun, brought on for a change, made a critical mistake, but the Sky Blues were able to hold their nerves.

Looking back the last two games, the lads now appear to have understood each other better on the pitch and start to play as a unit. Because of the absence of a classic target man up front, counterattacking football is no longer an option, but they seem to play more direct passing to feet. Particularly, the second half performances from the last two games is the obvious proof that attacking trios Jung Chiin, Cesinha and Tsubasa were clicking despite little support from the wing backs.

Daegu FC forward Jung Chiin is working hard up front with diligent movement although he hasn't scored a goal yet after misfortune of the woodwork. 

However, having Tsubasa and Jo Jinwoo unavailable is a big blow for the Sky Blues on the rise. Accordingly, some changes are expected with Serginho and Kim Jaewoo coming in. Manager Lee also needs to think about how to effectively use veteran Lee Yongrae as he shows signs of fatigue in the second half because of too much defensive burden and his ageing. Otherwise, the Sky Blues's defence wouldn't be able to nullify Ulsan's quality midfielders and speedy wingers for ninety minutes.