The anticipation was palpable at Anyang Sports Complex on March 22, 2026, as FC Anyang and Incheon United prepared to write a new chapter in K League 1 history. For the first time ever, these two clubs faced off in the top division, marking a milestone that fans and players alike had eagerly awaited. The stadium buzzed with energy, drawing a crowd that included an impressive 1,700 traveling Incheon supporters, all eager to witness this inaugural league clash.
As the teams revealed their starting lineups ahead of the 4:30 PM kickoff, tactical intrigue was already in the air. FC Anyang, sitting joint sixth in the league with five points, fielded a side featuring Kim Dasol, Thomas, Lee Chang-yong, Kim Young-chan, Kim Dong-jin, Han Garam, Lee Jin-yong, Lee Tae-hee, Mateus, Elcurano, and Ailton. The home side’s bench was loaded with options, including Kim Jung-hoon, Kim Ji-hoon, Kang Ji-hoon, Kim Jae-hyun, Choi Kyu-hyun, Kim Bo-kyung, Choi Geon-ju, Kim Woon, and Yukichi.
Incheon United, desperate for their first win after a rocky season start, lined up with Kim Dong-heon, Lee Joo-yong, Juan Ibiza, Park Kyung-seop, Kim Myung-soon, Oh Poosung, Seo Jae-min, Lee Myung-joo, Lee Dong-ryul, Park Seung-ho, and Mugosa. Their bench featured a mix of youth and experience, ready to step in if called upon.
Both teams approached the contest with unique narratives. Anyang, under the stewardship of coach Yoo Byung-hoon, had declared a new era of 'biting zombie football,' aiming for a more proactive and aggressive style compared to last season. Yoo acknowledged the significance of this fixture, telling reporters, "It’s a turning point that will set the tone for the early season. Incheon is highly motivated since they haven’t won yet, so we had to prepare with even more urgency." He also emphasized the threat posed by Incheon’s transitions and the need to neutralize crosses aimed at striker Mugosa, noting, "Incheon is strong in transition battles. Players like Lee Dong-ryul and Jerson can cause problems if our balance slips."
For the first time, Anyang’s Brazilian trio—Mateus, Elcurano, and Ailton—started together, a move designed to spark attacking synergy. Yoo admitted, "Their chemistry isn’t perfect yet, maybe 90%, but being from the same country helps. I’m expecting good things from their combination." While Elcurano had yet to score since joining the club, the coach praised his ability to create opportunities for teammates and hinted at a possible shift to a lone striker role to maximize his impact.
Incheon United, meanwhile, entered the match with their own set of challenges. The team, which had stormed to the K League 2 title the previous season with 23 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses, was finding the step up to K League 1 far more daunting. With just one point from four matches (one draw, three losses), Incheon sat 11th in the standings, narrowly avoiding last place on goal difference. Coach Yoon Jung-hwan was candid about the psychological toll of the winless run, stating, "It’s been tough to keep the players’ spirits up when we haven’t won. The performances haven’t been terrible, but I didn’t expect us to struggle this much early on."
Yoon, known for his tactical acumen, stuck with a modified 4-4-2 formation, occasionally tucking right-back Kim Myung-soon and midfielder Choi Seung-gu into central roles to form a compact midfield trio. This strategy aimed to press opponents high and keep the lines tight, but adapting it to the higher tempo and quality of K League 1 had proven tricky. "In K League 1, even the smallest mistake is punished," Yoon admitted. "We have to be sharper and more clinical, especially in front of goal."
Indeed, Incheon’s biggest headache was converting chances. With five goals scored and nine conceded in four games, the statistics pointed to both defensive frailties and missed opportunities up front. Yoon explained, "The real problem is that we’re not finishing our chances. If we score when we should, the defense won’t feel so much pressure and collapse. We’ve been creating, but we need to start putting the ball in the net."
For this pivotal match, Yoon paired center-back Juan Ibiza with Park Kyung-seop, and up front, striker Mugosa was joined by Park Seung-ho—both players who had been key in last season’s promotion but had struggled for minutes this term. Park Kyung-seop’s return was particularly noteworthy; after suffering a fractured forehead during training in August 2025, he dedicated the offseason to intensive heading drills in order to overcome his trauma. Yoon said, "Anyang’s transitions are fast, so we needed Park’s resilience. I believe he’s overcome his fears."
Both managers zeroed in on transition play as the decisive battleground. Yoo Byung-hoon remarked, "The most important thing I told the team was about transitions. Incheon pulls opponents in and then looks for quick breaks, especially with Mugosa and their midfield runners. We have to push our midfield line up to press, and whoever claims space faster will have the edge." Yoon Jung-hwan echoed the sentiment, noting, "Anyang is very quick in transition, and their foreign players are excellent. I made sure our players were aware that losing the ball during build-up could be costly."
The festive atmosphere around the stadium was enhanced by the playful rivalry between fans. Anyang supporters welcomed the influx of Incheon fans with a cheeky banner reading, "Welcome to your first visit to Our Nation," featuring a raccoon in Anyang colors and a crane in Incheon kit sharing a meal—a clever parody of Aesop’s fable and a nod to the teams’ mascots. Despite the friendly banter, both sets of fans were united in their passion for this historic occasion.
As the first half drew to a close, the scoreboard remained untouched at 0-0, reflecting a tense, evenly matched contest. Neither side was willing to give an inch, and the importance of the occasion was clearly weighing on both teams. With so much at stake—Anyang aiming to bounce back from their first defeat of the season and Incheon desperate to break their winless streak—the second half promised even more drama.
With the action still unfolding at Anyang Sports Complex, all eyes remain fixed on whether history will favor the hosts or if Incheon United can finally claim their long-awaited first victory of the season. One thing’s certain: the first-ever K League 1 meeting between FC Anyang and Incheon United has already delivered on excitement and anticipation, and the story is far from over.