Jeju Utd 2 - 0 Daejeon Citizen

by Liam Birch at Jeju World Cup Stadium

After suffering morale crushing home defeats at the hands of FC Seoul and Gyeongnam earlier in the season, Daejeon headed to Jeju island in good spirits after a hard fought 2-2 draw away in Gangwon last weekend. Jeju on the other hand had made an unbeaten start to the K-League season and were full of confidence following credible draws against champions Jeonbuk and away at Gyeongnam.

Unfortunatly for Daejeon and their quite sizable number of travelling fans, Daejeon simply never got going in this match and Jeju picked up a deserved win that they barely had to break out of first gear to achieve.

Defensive blunders had cost Daejeon dear in each of the opening 3 games of the season and in a bid to rectify this, coach Wang Seon Jae bought in former FC Porto defender Santos, who made his debut in a much changed Daejeon defense. Despite the change in personnel, Daejeon's defensive frailties were clear for all to see as they fell behind early on.

A needless free-kick was given away close to the edge of the area which was taken short and accurately placed into the bottom right corner of the Daejeon goal by Lee Sang-Hyup. Amazingly, the Daejeon wall remained static, totally failing to close down Lee, giving him all the time in the world to fire past Yang Dong-Won.

Just as Daejeon were coming to terms with falling a goal behind, 4 minutes later it was 2. Another horrendous piece of defending which has to be seen to be believed, gifted Park Hyeon-Beom the easiest goal he will ever score in his career. A long throw launched into the box should have been easily dealt with, but Kwon Jib completely mistimed his jump, with no pressure from any Jeju forward, and the ball sailed over his head, on to the foot of the unmarked Park, who from 3 yards out, toe poked the ball past the hapless Yang in the Daejeon goal.

From that moment on there was only going to be one winner. Daejeon, with lone striker Gwak Chang-Hee, looked devoid of ideas going forward. For all the nice build up play, the final ball was alarmingly lacking. Usual striker Park Sung-Ho was deployed on the left wing, in a tactical move that seems questionable at best. Park, with the turning circle of a caravan and speed of a snail, would have surely been better used as an out and out striker.

For the remainder of the first half, Daejeon were forced to shoot from distance, with the Jeju goalkeeper rarely having a save to make. And then, just before the half time whistle, Daejeon had a glorious chance to get back into the game. When a Daejeon shot could only be parried by the Jeju keeper, the ball fell to Kim Seong-Jun, who from 6 yards out, conspired to miss a completely open goal.

The second half started much as the first finished, with Daejeon having lots of the ball but failing to create any real chances of note. Ko Chang-Hyeon missed with a trademark free kick that sailed just over the bar and Lee Hyeon-Woong missed a glorious opportunity when clear through on goal, that the Jeju keeper did very well to deflect around the post.

Jeju had numerous chances to improve on their lead, particularly after Brazilian midfielder Ale received a straight red card for petulantly lashing out on a Jeju player mid-way through the half. A combination of poor finishing and the Daejeon post kept the score at only 2.

It was a desperately poor showing from Citizen, devoid of ideas and in some cases, willingness. Understandably annoyed after traveling so far to see such a poor performance, one Citizen fan said something to striker Park Sung-Ho which infuriated him to the point that he attempted to confront the fan in the stands. Other Daejeon players managed to pull Park away, after a considerable stare-down between player and fan. It was a sour end to a hugely disappointing game for Daejeon, which leaves them languishing in 13th place with just one point from four games.

Daejeon host bottom club Daegu FC at the Purple Arena on Sunday.

MOTM: Daejeon Fans

Marconi Stallions 1 - 3 Daejeon Citizen

Daejeon Citizen's pre-season tour of Australia got off to a winning start this Wednesday as they overcame NSW Premier League outfit Marconi Stallions 3-1 at the Valentine Sports Park. Despite falling a goal behind, Citizen battled back in the second half to secure a comfortable victory.

Citizen's tour continues on February 3rd when they take on Sydney Utd at the same venue.

Daejeon Start 2010 Against Seoul

Daejeon Citizen will start the 2010 K-League campaign at home against FC Seoul. The game will take place on Saturday February 27th, with a likely kick-off time of 3pm.

Two Daejeon Players Nominated for K-League Award

Daejeon defender Hwang Ji Yoon and winger Ko Chang Hyeon have been nominated for the 2009 K-League team of the year award. The final decision will be made on December 22nd.

Daejeon Draw Seongnam at Home

Daejeon Citizen will play Seongnam Ilhwa for a place in this years FA Cup final. Daejeon will be happy to have home advantage, whilst the draw still creates the possibility of a mouthwatering final against rivals Suwon.

The game will take place at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on 7th October.

Pohang Steelers 2 - 2 Daejeon Citizen

By Liam Birch at Pohang Steelyard Stadium

Daejeon Citizen almost brought Pohang Steelers impressive unbeaten K-League run to an end on Sunday, only to be denied by a last gasp equalizer from the hosts.

Daejeon were twice ahead in this encounter and looked like taking a very unlikely three points, however, Pohang's intricate passing and the constant threat of their forward line ultimately ensured that the Steelers retain their unbeaten record.

Pohang, fielding two ex-Daejeon favourites in Kim Hyeong Il and Denilson, looked to have taken the lead after just two minutes. A cross from the left wasn't dealt with by the Citizen defence and the ball was bundled home by the Pohang attacker. The hosts' celebrations were short lived however as the linesman on the far side had ruled the goal offside.

Daejeon may well have expected ongoing pressure from Pohang but it was in fact Daejeon who took the lead on 13 minutes. Brazilian Ale, playing in place of the suspended Stevan Racic, played a beautiful ball into the box from the left which was met by the head of the totally unmarked Park Sung-Ho to give Daejeon a shock lead.

The pace of former Citizen striker Denilson, now 33, was causing all sorts of problems for the Daejeon back line and he almost levelled soon after. He was played in by a long ball and used his pace to get past the defender before shooting on the half volley. Luckily for Citizen however, trusty goalkeeper Choi Eun Sung managed to tip the ball around the near post.

Pohang again came close midway through the first half with an effort that free-kick specialist Ko Chang-Hyeon would have been proud of. Again, luckily for Citizen, with Choi well beaten, the ball flew back off the right hand post. Choi was called into action once again moments later as Denilson found himself free of the last defender, only to see his effort superbly stopped by the legs of the veteran goalkeeper.

Pohang did get the equalizer that they probably just about deserved just before the stroke of half time. Daejeon will be concerned that the Pohang attacker was left completely unmarked to head home and level up the scores.

Still, Daejeon fans went for the half time break more than satisfied and they had plenty to cheer about in the second half too.

Daejeon fans were particularly expectant about the substitute arrival of Ko Chang Hyeon and it took only minutes for him to deliver. His free kick from far out on the left hand side caused havoc in the Pohang defence, missing everyone only to be palmed away by the goalkeeper onto the diving head of the onrushing Daejeon midfielder who headed home to regain the lead for Citizen.

Daejeon supporters were ecstatic at once again shocking the hosts and they continued to defend bravely. Particularly, a last gasp clearance off the line when Choi was beaten denied Kim Hyeong Il a goal against his former club.

Brazilian Valber, who has been the best performer for Daejeon in recent weeks will be having nightmares however at his glaring miss that would have sealed the three points for Citizen. Ko Chang Hyeon's cross from the right left Valber completely unmarked only 6 yards out but he somehow managed to fire his effort wide of the post. It was agonizing for the travelling supporters and would be more so given Pohang's late equalizer.

Daejeon had defended so well but they were again outdone by a set piece that wasn't properly dealt with. A Pohang corner wasn't dealt with again and the header out fell onto the boot of the Pohang forward who fired home his second of the game to break Daejeon hearts.

Daejeon can be very proud of their display and by comments made in the local media, they pulled off a shock by even getting a draw. Daejeon now have a break next week until they continue their push for a playoff place against Jeju the following week.

MOTM: Woo Sung Je

Daejeon Citizen 0 -2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

by Liam Birch at Daejeon World Cup Stadium

Daejeon put up a valiant effort against high flying Jeonbuk before falling to two second half goals from Lee Dong-Guk and former Citizen favourite Brasilia.

Daejeon, riding on the back of two excellent victories over Ulsan and Seongnam, started brightly. Stevan Racic, who impressed in the game at Seongnam was partnering Park Sung-Ho in attack with Valber playing just behind. Key man Ko Chang-Hyeon was missing through suspension however Daejeon didn't seem to be missing him as they took the game to Jeonbuk.

In fact, it was Daejeon who created the first real chance of the game. A cross from the right was only headed up by the Jeonbuk defender straight into the path of Stevan Racic, who from 6 yards out, should have buried his header. Instead, his header was too close to the keeper who produced a decent save to tip it around the post.

Valber was instrumental in the midfielder and had two long range efforts test the Jeonbuk keeper. The first, fired just past the post whilst the second forced the save from the grateful Jeonbuk keeper.

Daejeon almost took the lead from a free kick that Racic initially looked like firing but instead left it to Kwon Jib who curled the ball over the wall but saw his effort well saved by the Jeonbuk keeper.

Jeonbuk only really threatened briefly during a first half completely dominated by Citizen. Choi Eun Song had very little to do in the Daejeon goal. At the opposite end however, the Jeonbuk keeper was having a great game. Daejeon came close again towards the end of the half when Valber produced a beautiful touch to break through the Jeonbuk midfield before angling in a teasing cross which Racic should have anticipated better.

There was still time for Daejeon to produce one more save from the Jeonbuk keeper as just before half time, the ball fell to Park Sung-Ho on the near post who powered a half volley towards the top corner which the keeper did amazingly well not just to save but to hold.

Hopes were high amongst the Citizen supporters at half time but danger signs were evident from the restart. Jeonbuk punted a long ball from midfield that sailed over the Daejeon defenders and was somehow volleyed over the bar by the Jeonbuk attacker.

Citizen were denied a clear penalty kick just before the hour mark when, after after initially shooting straight at the Jeonbuk goalkeeper, the Daejeon forward was clearly pulled down by the Jeonbuk defender. Somewhat bizarrely, the referee gave the foul in favour of Jeonbuk and Daejeon were denied what looked a stonewall penalty.

Soon after, Daejeon almost fell behind. Jeonbuk attacked down the right before threading the ball through to Lee Dong-Guk on the edge of the area who beautifully chipped the ball over Choi, only to see his effort bounce back off the bar and into the hands of the grateful Choi.

Not to be outdone, Daejeon would also hit the woodwork. A delightful interchange in midfield led to substitute Ale running clear on goal, only to see his effort brilliantly saved by the Jeonbuk keeper onto the post. It was agonisingly close and had the keeper not been having the game of his life, Citizen would have taken the lead.

Alas, it was Jeonbuk who finally broke the deadlock. A break from midfield left the Daejeon defence exposed. A delightful cross from the right found Lee Dong-Guk who expertly chested the ball down before smashing it into the top left corner.

From then out, there was only going to be one winner, with Choi Eun Song making a number of impressive saves. That said, Brazilian Ale again staked his claim for a place in the starting eleven with an excellent strike from the edge of the area that was again saved brilliantly by the Jeonbuk number one.

The final goal came soon after. Former Daejeon forward Brasilia was allowed acres of space to come 40 yards unchallenged before unleashing a thunderbolt into the top left corner, giving Choi absolutely no chance.

Daejeon can be pleased with the way that they performed against one of the top sides in the league. However, it was a game that showed that in the K-League, a pair of top class strikers can easily make the difference between mid-table and championship contenders. Since the departures of Denilson, Chuva and Brasilia almost two years ago, Daejeon have failed to bring in that sort of talent in forward positions. A win on Sunday at Pohang is now vital if Daejeon are to make anything of this season.

MOM: Valber