Yang Min-hyuk (19, Queens Park Rangers) remained on the bench until the end. The team suffered a disappointing draw.
QPR drew 2-2 with Leeds United in the 38th round away match of the 2024-2025 England Championship (second division) held at Loftus Road Stadium in London, England, at 9:30 p.m. (Korea time) on the 15th.
As a result, QPR ended its four-game losing streak with a draw against league leader Leeds, but the team's rank remains 14th with 45 points (11 wins, 12 draws, 15 losses). The gap remains significant with 6th place West Bromwich Albion (56 points), which can still qualify for the promotion playoffs.
Leeds, which avoided defeat, maintained its top position with 80 points (23 wins, 11 draws, 4 losses). However, it allowed 7th place Sheffield United (77 points) to close in, despite having played one game less.
On that day, Yang Min-hyuk started on the bench. He had recently started three consecutive matches, seemingly stepping up as a regular player, but left with disappointment as errors continued.
In particular, Yang Min-hyuk faced criticism for conceding a goal due to losing the ball in the previous match against Middlesbrough. Ultimately, head coach Marti Si Fuentes selected Paul Smith as the right winger instead of Yang Min-hyuk again, while Japanese forward Saito Goki started on the left wing.
QPR started off well. In the 17th minute of the first half, Saito opened the scoring with a wonder goal. He intercepted a pass from the opponent on the left side of the box and scored with a fantastic right-footed curling shot.
QPR scored another goal. In the 30th minute of the first half, a cross from the right side was sent in, and Steve Cook jumped high to finish with a header. Until that moment, it seemed like QPR was going to pull off an upset against Leeds.
However, Leeds responded fiercely. In the 40th minute of the first half, Leeds pulled one goal back. With good linking play, they broke down the QPR defense, and a low ground cross came in from the left. The QPR defense attempted to clear it, leading to an own goal by Morgan Fox, resulting in the consolidation.
Leeds ultimately brought the game back to level. In the 5th minute of the second half, a cutback pass was attempted from the right, which hit the defense and fell in front of the goal. Manor Solomon's first shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but Jaden Bogle pushed in the loose ball to equalize at 2-2.
No further goals were scored. Yang Min-hyuk was unable to participate until the end. QPR made three substitution changes, but Yang Min-hyuk remained on the bench. QPR finished the match 2-2, even as Saito received a red card for a rough tackle during stoppage time in the second half, leaving them with ten players.
[Photo] QPR social media.
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