The K League 2 delivered plenty of drama and shifting fortunes on September 13, 2025, as Cheongnam Asan FC and Cheonan City FC each took to their home grounds with hopes of delighting their loyal supporters. For Cheongnam Asan, the day ended in jubilation, while Cheonan City was left ruing missed opportunities after a heart-pounding contest. Fans from both sides packed the stands, eager for a glimpse of late-season momentum as the playoff race heats up.
At the Yi Sun-sin Sports Complex, Cheongnam Asan FC faced off against Bucheon FC 1995 in a pivotal Round 29 clash of the Hana Bank K League 2 campaign. The stakes were high: Bucheon, sitting third on the table with 48 points, had a chance to close the gap on second-place Suwon Samsung. But it was the home side, Cheongnam Asan, who seized the moment, orchestrating a clinical 3-0 victory that sent their fans into raptures and left Bucheon searching for answers.
The match’s opening stages were tense, with both sides probing for weaknesses. The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute, and it would set the tone for the rest of the afternoon. After a Bucheon foul in the box—committed by Oh Seok on Na Seon—the referee pointed straight to the spot. Cheongnam Asan’s N’Goyi stepped up to the penalty mark, coolly dispatching the ball past the goalkeeper to give the hosts a crucial early lead. The stadium erupted, with supporters sensing that this might be the day their team turned recent frustrations into celebration.
Bucheon FC 1995, for all their attacking intent, struggled to break down a disciplined Asan defense. The visitors looked to regroup at halftime, but Cheongnam Asan’s tactical discipline and relentless energy kept them on the back foot. The second half saw the home side press their advantage, and the goals soon followed. In the 66th minute (the 21st of the second half), Denison pounced on a loose ball in the box, firing home to double Asan’s lead. Just five minutes later, Kim Jong Seok added a third, finishing off a sweeping move that left the Bucheon defense in disarray.
With the scoreline at 3-0, the result was beyond doubt, and Cheongnam Asan’s players celebrated a long-awaited home triumph. Their head coach, Bae Sung-jae, was quick to credit his squad’s preparation and focus. “We prepared thoroughly to play to our strengths, and it paid off,” he said after the match. “It’s been a while since we won at home, so I’m relieved and happy for our fans.”
For Bucheon FC 1995, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. Head coach Lee Young-min didn’t mince words in his post-match assessment. “We were completely outplayed, as the score shows,” Lee admitted. “I should have prepared the match plan and managed the players’ condition more thoroughly. That’s on me.” He went on to urge his players to reflect on their performance, adding, “The fans gave us passionate support, but our play was disappointing. The players need to feel embarrassed. To compete at a higher level, we must show more on the pitch. I’m asking them to dig a little deeper.”
The loss leaves Bucheon stuck at 48 points, still in third place but missing a golden opportunity to close the gap on Suwon Samsung, who sit second with 52 points and a game in hand. With just a handful of matches left in the regular season, every point is precious, and the pressure is mounting.
Meanwhile, across town, Cheonan City FC found themselves in a rollercoaster of a match against Incheon United. The home crowd at Cheonan’s stadium was treated to a goal-fest, but ultimately left disappointed as their team fell 4-3 in a contest that swung wildly from end to end.
Incheon United struck first, with Park Ho Min netting twice in quick succession (26th and 28th minutes of the first half), followed by a goal from Shin Jin Ho at the 30-minute mark. Cheonan City, staring at a daunting deficit, made tactical adjustments at halftime, bringing on midfield reinforcements like Jeong Seok-hwa and Lee Kwang-jin to spark a comeback.
The second half brought more drama, as Incheon’s Mugosa scored a fourth goal for the visitors in the 58th minute. But Cheonan City refused to roll over. In the 68th minute, Tungara pulled one back, igniting hope among the home faithful. The match was briefly interrupted by an unusual incident—a tear in Incheon’s goal net required urgent repairs, providing a moment of levity amid the tension.
With time running out, Cheonan City pressed forward relentlessly. Five minutes from full-time, Bruno headed home from a corner kick to cut the deficit to two. Then, in stoppage time, Bruno won and converted a penalty, bringing the score to 4-3. The late surge, however, proved too little, too late, as the final whistle sounded moments later.
After the match, Cheonan’s interim manager, Cho Sung-yong, expressed regret at not being able to reward the fans with a victory. “We had a lot of supporters today, and it’s disappointing we couldn’t win for them,” he said. “I think we lost some focus in those moments when we conceded.”
Both Cheongnam Asan FC and Cheonan City FC now turn their attention to the crucial fixtures ahead. Asan will travel to face Seongnam FC on September 20, while Cheonan City hosts Hwaseong FC on September 21. With the playoff race tightening and momentum swinging back and forth, every match from here on out carries extra weight.
For Cheongnam Asan, the emphatic win at home could be the spark they need to finish the season strong. For Bucheon FC 1995, the challenge is clear: regroup, refocus, and rediscover the form that put them in playoff contention. As the K League 2 campaign enters its final stretch, fans can expect more twists, more late heroics, and plenty of passionate football to come.
One thing’s for sure—after a day of dramatic highs and lows, the race for promotion is far from settled. The coming weeks promise to keep supporters on the edge of their seats as the season’s biggest stories unfold.
