Jeonbuk Hyundai’s ‘humiliating’ continues.
Jeonbuk, led by head coach Kim Doo-hyun, drew 1-1 with Gwangju FC in the 38th round of the “Hana Bank K League 1 2024” held at the Gwangju Football Stadium on the 24th. He led with Thiago’s first goal in the 29th minute of the second half, but he had to settle for an additional point as he gave up a penalty kick for Lee Young-jae’s foul in extra time in the second half. Until the final match, the team will hold a promotion playoff (PO) without a reversal of atmosphere.
No. 10 ranking is inappropriate for Jeonbuk. This year marks the lowest ranking in 18 years since 2006 (11th). It is the lowest ranking in the history of Jeonbuk since the split system was introduced in 2012. Jeonbuk had been sluggish last season, but finished fourth. This season, it struggled in the bottom ranks throughout the entire season.
Considering that he was ranked 10th before Kim Doo-hyun took the helm after Dan Petrescu stepped down, the team failed to achieve significant rebound. It also secured victory only over Daegu FC (3-1 win). The team had one win, two draws and two losses in five matches.
Furthermore, Jeonbuk will have a match against Incheon United for the first time since its foundation. Fortunately, Daegu FC lost to Incheon United 1-3 at a match held at DGB Daegu Bank Park on the same day. Jeonbuk, with a score point of 42, has secured its 10th place. Jeonbuk, which has failed to escape the relegation zone, will face off with Seoul E-Land, the winner of the K League 2 (minor league) PO, on April 1 and 8.
The promotion PO is played at home and away. If you lose, you will be demoted. There is no law that the K League 1 team should win. Just looking at last season, Suwon FC, the first team, lost the first round of the promotion PO against Busan I’Park, the second team. 토토사이트
In Jeonbuk, only some players, including Lee Young-jae and Lee Seung-woo, have experienced POs from their previous teams. Most of the players have no experience in competing for the relegation zone. Likewise, since this is the first time as a coach this season, there are question marks over whether Kim will be able to cope with the variables that will occur.
In addition, Jeonbuk has to complete its AFC Champions League 2 (ALC 2) schedule on April 28 and May 5. Jeonbuk has played ACL 2 as its B team throughout this season. The physical strength of its main players will not be raised, but it is not a positive point that Kim cannot focus solely on the promotion and PO. Anyway, it is clear that it is a humiliating season for Jeonbuk.