Cheonan FC aims for its first win of the season.
Cheonan FC faces Hwaseong FC on the 3rd round of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 at 4:30 p.m. on the 15th at Hwaseong Sports Complex main stadium. Cheonan currently has 1 point with 1 draw and 1 loss, while Hwaseong has 3 points with 1 win and 1 loss.
Cheonan is seeking its first victory under manager Park Jin-seop. Cheonan, which finished 13th last season, appointed Park Jin-seop, who is proven in the K League, and is seeking change by overhauling the squad.
However, they failed to achieve the desired results in the first two matches. Cheonan drew 2-2 with the new team Yongin in the first round. They took the lead twice with goals from Lee Dong-hyeop and Ramas, but conceded twice from penalty kicks and had to settle for a draw.
Cheonan also suffered defeat in the previous match, the home season opener, losing to Gimpo. They conceded to Luis late in the game and narrowly lost 0-1. Unfortunate events, such as Tongaara's bicycle kick hitting the post, also occurred. Nonetheless, the fact that they are building cohesion around a three-back system leaves some hope.
This time Cheonan must produce a different result. Before the match, manager Park Jin-seop, who was met before the game, warned that although it is an away match, they will not back down. He noted, "We will now push our line higher. We prepared to play aggressive defense in this match."
Brazilian winger Sarjani officially joined the team. Manager Park Jin-seop explained, "He joined a while ago. He joined from the Namhae second battery training, but at that time it was a trial period. He wasn't a player we originally planned for, but his performance in the trial made me think he could be quite dangerous if he comes on when the opponent tires in the second half."
He added, "So I picked him as an option. He hasn't fully settled into team play or organization yet, but I plan to use him as a game changer. He is the type with speed and power."
Cheonan's task remains finding an attacking breakthrough. Manager Park Jin-seop said, "Looking at the first two games, the attacking style we wanted did not appear. I emphasized that part. I told them to try to do more of what we practiced and prepared during the winter."
2007-born forward Woo Jeong-yeon will start. Manager Park Jin-seop said, "K League 2 still has the under-22 rule, so we are using Woo Jeong-yeon together. He is still young and has speed and aggression, but lacks experience and composure. I am talking about those points. I emphasize calmness when he has the ball."
Foreign striker Ivanildo is expected to be unavailable for some time. When asked about his condition, manager Park Jin-seop replied, "He is currently suffering a long-term injury. We need to see the recovery period. We are consulting with the club on whether to find a replacement foreign player or wait a bit."
Choi Jun-hyeok, who played for Hwaseong until last season, will start wearing the Cheonan uniform. Manager Park Jin-seop said, "Players facing their former club tend to try harder and inevitably put more effort into it. We need to give them more stability in that regard. So I told them to play without feeling burdened."
[Photo] Provided by Korea Professional Football League (KPFL).
[OSEN]