Yoo Byeong-hoon, the manager of FC Anyang, has pledged to win in the 'local derby' against FC Seoul, which will be held for the first time in Anyang.
FC Anyang will clash with FC Seoul in the 12th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 on June 6 at 7 p.m. at Anyang Stadium.
Currently, Anyang is in 6th place with 15 points, having recorded 5 wins and 7 losses. As a promoted team, there have been many concerns. However, Anyang is approaching a soft landing in K League 1 with its attacking power and organized movements led by Mota and Mateus.
Anyang and Seoul have a negative relationship over the relocation issue, which draws significant interest in this matchup. The two teams' negative history began in 2004 when LG Cheetahs relocated from Seoul to Anyang due to government policy and later declared its return to Seoul. After that, Anyang was founded in 2013, competed in K League 2, and encountered Seoul as an opponent after winning the championship last season in K League 1.
In February's away match against Seoul, Anyang lost 1-2. In a pre-match meeting, Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon said, "Seoul is visiting Anyang's home ground after 21 years. I welcome them. We have prepared well with the players to ensure we win at home. We tried to use that feeling as motivation. We may not be more glamorous than Seoul, but we will face them proudly in our own way," promising revenge.
Anyang has alternated between losses and wins with the pattern 'loss-win-loss-win-loss-win-loss-win' since the 4th round against Gimcheon. If this pattern continues, it will be time for a victory. Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon noted, "It seems that this phenomenon occurred because we either pressed down first or refrained from playing in a manner contrary to our direction. So far, we have identified issues through confrontations. Starting from the second round robin, we are considering managing points strategically and contemplating pragmatic football."
Mota, responsible for 5 goals for Anyang, will start on the bench. Instead, Kim Un will form the front line with Mateus. Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon explained, "Mota is also scoring and providing a lot of help to the team. However, Kim Un also exhibits good activity and defensive movements. Seoul has been stagnant recently with scoring but certainly has good players. That's why we decided to start with Kim Un first."
This is the first match between Seoul and Anyang held at Anyang Stadium. Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon said, "I believe this match holds significance beyond just being a league game. I communicated and prepared with the players to ensure that meaning is not diminished. The players are very aware of this. Now let's prove the fans' frustrations and passions through our results."
However, an overwhelming desire for victory can backfire. Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon said, "We exhibited this phenomenon a bit in the first match. We got too obsessed with winning, which showed when we conceded a goal. We need to be cautious. Naturally, these are opponents we must give our best against and win, but I told them it’s better not to feel overly pressured psychologically; a relaxed mind is more beneficial."
Seoul has recently struggled to score, ending with 2 draws and 3 losses over 5 matches. Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon acknowledged, "We analyzed Seoul but cannot evaluate them. However, there has been a significant disappointment in scoring. I believe the players are capable of achieving it if we just find the key points. We may not be as glamorous as the opponents, but we will rely on the overall movement and organization of our team. It’s crucial not to falter."
Now that Anyang has faced every team in K League 1 after finishing the first round robin, Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon stated, "We are gradually growing. We are developing and maintaining good momentum. However, the league is long, and it's just the beginning. We must maintain consistency. We may be doing well now, but we should not be satisfied and must continue striving towards our ultimate goal. Even when difficulties arise, we will gain the wisdom to overcome. I will always look forward and press on."
He also added, "The players seem to have adapted to some extent. Efforts are accumulating little by little, making the team stronger. However, just because they have adapted doesn't mean everything will go smoothly. I think how flexibly we respond to either the opponent or our own team's situation will determine the outcomes in the second round robin."
Finally, Manager Yoo Byeong-hoon identified the primary differences between K League 1 and K League 2 as speed and solid strength. He noted, "First of all, speed is the most significant difference. Speed is essential. In K League 2, due to budget constraints, it is challenging to focus on all areas, including defense, offense, and midfield. Therefore, most focus on offense. But K League 1 is different. If you block the opponent's attack, there will be issues in midfield; if you block the midfield, there will be problems in offense. It was difficult to contain free-role players like Lingard, Lee Dong-kyung, and Sejingya. Mistakes become glaring opportunities, making adaptation challenging initially."
[Photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League.]
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