Myung-Joo Lee left due to injury just before the end of the first half.
Incheon United, led by coach Cho Seong-hwan, drew 1-1 with Pohang Steelers in the first game of the 34th and final round of ‘Hana One Q K League 1 2023’ held at Pohang Steel Yard on the 20th. Incheon had 49 points, but fell behind 4th place Jeonbuk Hyundai in goal difference and was placed 5th.
Gerso scored the first goal in the 26th minute of the first half, but Zeka’s equalizer was allowed in the 33rd minute of the second half and the lead could not be maintained. After the game, Coach Cho said, “The weather was chilly on the away trip, but I am grateful to the fans who came to support us. I prepared well to avoid a disappointing performance in the final round, but the result was very disappointing. I wish we had scored an additional goal in the first half. “I will make improvements so that we can play better,” he said.
At the end of the first half, midfielder Myung-Joo Lee was sidelined due to injury. Coach Cho said, “He said he couldn’t play. I think I need to get a detailed examination. “I think the injury is more disappointing than the result,” he lamented.
Nevertheless, Incheon played a solid defense against Pohang. In the end, no field goal was allowed. Coach Cho said, “Defending to push into the opponent’s half requires stamina and organization. We need to maintain our defense and performance like we did in the first half to create more chances. In the second half, he was down and lost the initiative to his opponent. “I think we need to be able to maintain our performance for the entire 90 minutes,” he emphasized.
Incheon will play the Asian Champions League (ACL) group stage against Shandong Taishan (China) at home on the 25th. Coach Cho said, “After the A match, the results and performance were not good. It will be even better against Shandong. “The game against Pohang will probably be the answer,” he said.
