FC Seoul, with impressive late equalizer from Jesse Lingard, climbed to 3rd place.

FC Seoul and Daejeon Hana Citizen finished in a 2-2 draw in their match of the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 8 held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 12th.

With this draw, Seoul recorded 3 wins, 5 draws, and 1 loss, accumulating 14 points, tying with Gimcheon but falling to 3rd place on goal difference. Daejeon maintained the lead with 5 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, totaling 18 points.

Seoul employed a 4-2-3-1 formation. Cho Young-wook was positioned as the main forward, supported by Lucas, Lingard, and Jung Seung-won in the midfield. Hwang Do-yoon and Ki Sung-yong played as double holding midfielders, while the back four consisted of Kim Jin-soo, Kim Joo-seong, Yazhan, and Choi Jun. The goalkeeper was Kang Hyun-moo.

Daejeon countered Seoul with a 4-3-3 formation. Shin Sang-eun, Gutek, and Yoon Do-young made up the front three, while Bap Sin, Kim Hyun-wook, and Lim Deok-geun arranged in a triangular shape in the midfield. The back four comprised Park Kyu-hyun, Anton, Ha Chang-rae, and Kang Yun-seong, with Lee Chang-geun as the goalkeeper.

Seoul and Daejeon engaged in a struggle at the beginning of the match, showcasing a fierce battle for control. However, Seoul faced increased pressure when injuries occurred in the first half. Ki Sung-yong suffered a hamstring injury during defense, and Jung Seung-won was unable to perform normally after a shoulder injury.

Ultimately, Seoul replaced the injured Ki Sung-yong and Jung Seung-won with Lee Seung-mo and Moon Seon-min in the 31st minute of the first half.

Daejeon scored the opening goal with a penalty in the 40th minute of the first half. After a free-kick situation where Kim Jin-soo committed a handball foul, Daejeon earned a penalty, and Gutek converted it, making it 1-0.

In stoppage time of the first half, Daejeon scored their second goal. When the Seoul defense could not clear a cross from Kim Hyun-wook into the box, Gutek scored with a left-foot shot, leading 2-0 at halftime.

Daejeon substituted Shin Sang-eun and Yoon Do-young with Kim In-kyun and Jung Jae-hee at the start of the second half.

Seoul obtained a free-kick opportunity from a foul by the opponent in the 4th minute of the second half. Lee Seung-mo's header went slightly wide of the goal. Seoul's attack continued, with Lee Seung-mo's header saved by Daejeon's goalkeeper and Kim Jin-soo's left-foot shot also just missing the target.

Relentlessly attacking, Seoul finally broke through with a consolation goal. In the 13th minute of the second half, Moon Seon-min scored with a header after Kim Jin-soo's cross, making it 1-2.

Daejeon strengthened their forward line by substituting Gutek for Joon-Min Kyu in the 17th minute of the second half.

Seoul brought the match back to parity. After Moon Seon-min broke through to the end line and made a cutback, Lingard scored with a right-foot shot, equalizing 2-2 in the 21st minute of the second half.

Daejeon substituted Lim Deok-geun with Kim Jun-beom in the 29th minute of the second half, attempting to change the momentum. Seoul replaced Lucas with Willian to seek additional goals. Both teams continuously attacked, looking for more scoring opportunities. Despite intense play, no additional goals were achieved.

Ultimately, Seoul and Daejeon concluded the match in a draw.

[Photo] provided by the association.

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