The K League 1 title race match between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen is set to take place.

Jeonbuk Hyundai and Daejeon Hana Citizen will compete in the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 12 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 6th.

Jeonbuk is in second place with 21 points from 6 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, while Daejeon leads K League 1 with 26 points from 8 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses. However, Daejeon has played 12 matches, and Jeonbuk has played 11 matches, indicating a fierce ranking battle ahead.

Since the match against Pohang Steelers on March 16 (2-2 draw), Jeonbuk has remained unbeaten in 8 matches (6 wins, 2 draws), including a 3-0 victory against Ansan Greeners in the Korea Cup Round 3.

In particular, in the 11th round held on the 3rd, they defeated FC Seoul, who were considered pre-season title contenders, 1-0 away.

After the appointment of coach Gus Poyet at the beginning of the season, they struggled to adapt, but the recent atmosphere is completely different. To regain Jeonbuk's winning DNA, they are prioritizing results. In the away match against Anyang, Coach Poyet explained the reasons for the defensive approach. However, they achieved victory, and the team atmosphere changed.

Especially with a changed squad compared to the early season, they are thoroughly giving opportunities to players who have made contributions. The protagonist includes forward Compañó and winger Jeon Jin-woo, along with Kim Jin-kyu and Kang Sang-yoon, who are showcasing broad activity in the midfield. In particular, Kang Sang-yoon constantly troubled Seoul with explosive activity in the last match.

Before the match against Daejeon, he vowed, "Since it is a match against Daejeon, I will run like a 'dog.' If I can demonstrate my strengths by running hard and produce results for the team, I will work even harder on that role."

The defense, which includes Hong Jeong-ho, is showing a completely different aspect. This season, Jeonbuk has recorded 10 goals conceded in 11 matches. Based on the results this season, they are second in the fewest goals conceded. Depending on the league situation, they have played one game less than their rival Daejeon while conceding fewer goals. Not just the defense, but goalkeeper Song Bum-keun also made key saves in the match against Seoul, earning the round MVP.

Daejeon has also transformed completely and is leading the league. Daejeon's last defeat was against Jeonbuk on the 5th of last month (0-2). Since then, they have not lost in any of their 5 matches, including the Korea Cup, over about a month.

Following the 2-2 draw against Seoul on the 12th of last month, Daejeon won all four subsequent matches and is currently at the top of K League 1.

If they win this match between first and second place, it would be their fifth consecutive win. This could increase the chances of distancing themselves from the teams in the second position and establishing a solo lead from the beginning.

In particular, Daejeon secured their victory with a debut goal from high school student Kim Hyun-oh, born in 2007 and a youth product of the team, in the match against Anyang on the 3rd, achieving a three-game winning streak and maintaining their lead.

Kim Hyun-oh started as a starter in his professional debut. In the 36th minute of the first half, he connected a cross from Kim Mun-hwan with a header to shake the net, scoring his debut goal. This goal, scored at the age of 17 years, 7 months, and 21 days, is the youngest goal in Daejeon club history.

Kim Hyun-oh is in his third year at Chungnam Machinery High School, which has produced players like Hwang In-beom and Yoon Do-young. He was recognized as a promising player by receiving the Cha Bum-kun Award (in the forward category) in 2020. Having grown within Daejeon's youth system, Kim Hyun-oh signed a semi-professional contract with Daejeon in February. The rise of young talent Kim Hyun-oh is expected to provide significant support for Daejeon.

[Photo] Provided by the league.

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