"The son of Cha Bum-kun, there was no easy path. Because I love soccer, there is only effort."

Hwasung FC held an official media day event ahead of the Hana Bank K League 2 2025 home opener. The event, held at Hwasung General Stadium on the 26th, was attended by Hwasung Mayor Jeong Myeong-geun and head coach Cha Du-ri.

Hwasung will host its K League 2 opener at Hwasung General Stadium on March 2. The opponent for the home opener is Chungnam Asan. They will play against Chungnam Asan, which reached the promotion-relegation playoffs last season.

Head coach Cha Du-ri noted, “I feel regret about the results from last weekend. But it is just the beginning. I will get good results through a good match against Chungnam Asan. I will strive to create results that will please many Hwasung citizens.”

Head coach Cha, unable to hide his disappointment from the first match, said, "It’s difficult to identify all the strengths and weaknesses of the players through just one game. However, since our players have less experience, I believe they can improve in the future. We must showcase the style of soccer we want to play. It is important to present proactive soccer. We showed such a demeanor in the second half against Seongnam. We will sharpen what we can do well and make up for any shortcomings."

Though the time is short, head coach Cha emphasized his commitment to showing improved performance and noted that he will strive to utilize strengths and quickly resolve issues in the match against Chungnam Asan.

Head coach Cha stated that they must solve the issues revealed in the first match through training. With the new player acquisitions, there has not been much time. The soccer we pursue still lacks sufficient time. It is true that time is limited in the professional realm. Results must be created starting this weekend. Beyond just victory, incorporating what we pursue is the task at hand. We will have to train right after the press conference," he explained.

Head coach Cha Du-ri's thoughts are clear. Having served as a national team coach and establishing himself as a leader after being a player, he suddenly rose to the head of a new civic team.

Head coach Cha Du-ri said, "I believe there is no easy path. Everything is difficult in the professional world. Since I decided to play soccer, I have always faced no easy path because I am Cha Bum-kun's son. Expectations have always been high, and I had to work harder." He added, "The same goes for coaching. I watched my father when he was a coach. I saw him exert a lot of energy. There is nothing easy about being a coach in the professional world. Because I love soccer, I found a way to create soccer that I love with young friends. We just need to produce good results. I will gradually walk a good path as a coach."

When asked about the results he hopes to achieve in this season's K League, head coach Cha said, "The start is meaningful. However, maintaining that feeling is more difficult. Surviving as a competitive player in the professional league is what a true professional athlete does. Now, players must compete every week. They must prepare with self-management and perseverance and prove themselves on the field. If so, they will endure for the long run and become victors. There are young players, but there are also those who are not. I always order them to put everything into each training session. Also, I believe they should show professionalism even after training. Everything must work out well to create a good team."

Meanwhile, he conveyed his resolve before the home opener, stating, "We must do our best from the basics, such as ball contests. If the basics are not solid, it will be difficult to win. Players must prepare to achieve good results against Chungnam Asan by doing their best. There is only the path of doing our best."

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