Daegu FC is off to a stunning start this season, achieving consecutive victories and establishing themselves as strong contenders in the K League 1. On February 22, 2025, Daegu convincingly beat Suwon FC 3-1 at the Daegu iM Bank Park, showcasing their impressive form following their opener victory against Gangwon FC (2-1) earlier this month.
The match against Suwon FC saw Daegu put pressure early, with their offensive strategy paying off when Sejinya earned a penalty after being fouled by the opposing goalkeeper. Ramas calmly converted the penalty, putting Daegu up 1-0 just 18 minutes in. Suwon, aiming to regain control, substituted Chei San for their star player Anderson just six minutes later, but their multiple attempts still failed to breach Daegu’s solid defense.
After halftime, Daegu bolstered their attacking efforts by bringing on Go Jae-hyun for Park Se-jin. This substitute was instrumental, as just two minutes later, Sejinya’s attempted shot led to an own goal off Suwon defender Lee Yong. Daegu maintained their momentum when Kyoh headed home from Ramas's corner at the 58th minute, extending their lead to 3-0.
Suwon FC fought back as the match neared its conclusion, with Anderson finally netting one for them during stoppage time, but it wasn’t enough to alter the outcome. By securing this victory, Daegu not only claimed their second successive win of the season but also rose to the top of the K League 1 standings.
Daegu’s array of talented players, including Sejinya, who scored two key goals, and Ramas, who was central to both the penalty and the corner kick resulting in the third goal, showed great promise for the remainder of the season. The team's tactical formation of 4-3-3 appeared to be working seamlessly, with players executing their roles to perfection.
Meanwhile, Daegu FC has ambitious plans for the future to stabilize their finances by introducing community involvement initiatives, akin to the esteemed FC Barcelona's structure. The club aims to recruit 25,000 small-scale sponsors from the local population to bolster their budget by 3 billion KRW by 2030. This initiative has already garnered attention, with many fans expressing enthusiasm to contribute.
One notable supporter, Jo Seung-beom, who joined the Angel Club to provide annual support, shared his hope for increased community engagement and financial contribution, echoing sentiments felt by many after the season opener. "I believe collective small donations can significantly help our finances. I’ve been inspired by Barcelona’s model where fans can participate actively,” Jo noted.
Approximately 2,200 individuals have already signed up for various donation tiers within the Angel Club, which promises multiple benefits for contributors, such as tax incentives and discounts. The club's management expressed ambitions for this model to create genuine support, helping Daegu become what many hope to be a proponents of local pride and success.
Beyond their immediate match performance, the Daegu FC organization is also focusing on youth development and community projects, ensuring the building of soccer foundations locally. Ji Ha-kyung, the head of the Daegu Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, commented, “We are preparing various events and benefits to attract 25,000 sponsors. Our ultimate goal is for Daegu FC to truly be seen as the people’s club.”
This outlook not only aims at bringing financial stability but also fosters greater connections with the fans and community, emphasizing Daegu's intent to transform its legacy as the first true community-owned football club by dedicatively involving its supporters.
The recent back-to-back victories have provided the perfect backdrop for these optimistic plans, with many supporters hoping for sustained success on the field matching their aspirations off it. With their next matches approaching, the stakes remain high as Daegu FC strives to maintain momentum both competitively and within their community initiatives.