K1 Sensation After Promotion
Daejeon Hana Citizen will continue to accompany director Lee Min-sung. Daejeon reported the news of the renewal of his contract with coach Lee in a press release on the 1st. The term of the contract was not disclosed by mutual agreement. Lee took the helm of Daejeon in January 2020. In 2021, he advanced to the playoffs as the third place in the K League 2, beating Jeonnam Dragons and FC Anyang to advance to the playoffs. In the promotion playoff, he failed to achieve his dream of promotion by being pushed by Gangwon FC. Daejeon, which was desperate, finished the regular league in second place in the K League 2 the following year. He returned to the K League 1 stage for the first time in eight years, beating Kim Cheon-sang, the 11th-ranked team in the K League 1 in the promotion and playoff. It was an achievement two years after taking office. Despite being a promoted team, Daejeon made a splash in the first division with its hot attacking football. It showed competitiveness by beating strong teams with FC Seoul, Ulsan Hyundai, and Jeonbuk Hyundai. With 54 points left in the final game, it is the third-largest team in the league. The long wait and hot football style brought many fans to the stadium. Compared to the previous season, the average audience increased more than six times, reaching 234,94. The average audience also increased 472% to 13,500, ranking third in all K-League clubs. Daejeon, which has confirmed eighth place in the Final B, continues to accompany coach Lee and looks higher. "It was a very happy year thanks to the fans who gave me hot support," Lee said, looking back, "I succeeded in staying in the first division, but it remains a regret that I didn't make it to the Final A." "Daejeon, which has a high vision and goal, now has to look higher and move forward," he said. "We will prepare well to become a stronger and more competitive team aiming to advance to the Final A and challenge the Asian stage next year." Meanwhile, Daejeon will start its first convocation training in Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province on January 2 next year after the season is over. He will then travel to Hanoi, Vietnam, on the 10th for a winter training.