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This Sunday sees Daegu FC welcome Hwaseong FC to Daegu iM Bank Park to kick off their first season in K League 2 for almost a decade, as they look for an instant return to the top flight. K League United’s Stuart Warren previews the action.
Last Season
Daegu FC endured a terrible 2025 season as they were relegated to the second tier for the first time since the 2016 season. Having survived via the playoffs in 2024, there were high hopes that The Sky Blues could kick on, and some of the more optimistic supporters were claiming that even sneaking into the top half was a very attainable goal. It wasn’t to be though, and off-field issues as well as some terrible early season form saw the club endure their worst ever season for some time. Although an upturn in form towards the end of the campaign gave them some hope, their relegation was confirmed on the last day of the season.
Hwaseong’s first season in K League 2 after turning professional in December 2024, saw them enjoy some moderate success as they finished in 10th place. A higher place did look possible during the first half of the season as they enjoyed some good form and saw themselves sitting comfortably in the mid table positions, however a bad run of form in the second half which saw them win just four times in 18 games meant that they were never really in any danger of troubling the playoff spots. It was, however, an admirable campaign for a club playing their first season of professional football, and they will be looking to improve on this during the 2026 season.
Last Season’s Meetings
The clubs did, of course, not meet last season, and this will be the first ever meeting between the two sides. The only previous meetings between the sides were between Daegu’s ‘B’ team and Hwaseong when they were in K3 League. During the 2024 season, Hwaseong did the double over them, winning 2-0 at home and 3-0 away.
Key Players
Daegu will once again be looking at their main man Cesinha to lead the way during the upcoming campaign. Time and time again over the years he has been the club’s saviour, and provided he can stay fit then he is once again going to be a massive part of the club’s promotion bid. Having consistently been one of the best players in K League 1 over the past decade, fans will be relishing seeing him up against K League 2 defences. His goal tally is usually in double figures and he will no doubt be aiming for 20+ goals if he can steer clear of injuries then this is very much a possibility.
Having struggled to score goals last season, finding the net just 36 times in 39 games, Hwaseong moved to bolster their attacking ranks during the off-season. One of their most exciting signings is striker Leonard Plana, who joins the club having previously been at Gimpo FC and Jeonnam Dragons. The Kosovo-born winger has plenty of experience at this level, and his pace and creativity is something the club were lacking at times during the previous campaign. He is sure to be a key part of the side as they look to build on their 10th placed finish this year.
For Daegu this is an ideal season opener; a home game against a team who struggled for form at the end of the last season. For Hwaseong, this is probably going to be one of their toughest encounters this season in front of what is sure to be a sell-out crowd.