Seongnam FC kicked off their K League 2 season on February 23, 2025, with a solid 2-0 victory over Hwaseong FC, the league's newest team. The match, held at the Tancheon Sports Complex, marked Seongnam's first win after enduring 20 winless matches stretching back to June of the previous year.
Under the leadership of head coach Jeong Kyung-jun, Seongnam aimed to erase the disappointments of the prior season when they finished last. Conversely, Hwaseong FC, making their debut in the league, encountered difficulties under the fresh guidance of coach Cha Du-ri.
The match started with early excitement as Hwaseong seemed poised to score within minutes. Transcending tension, the team struck first, or so they thought. Just three minutes in, forward Jeon Seong-jin connected powerfully with the ball, sending it to the net, but the joy was short-lived. After reviewing the play through VAR, officials ruled the goal offside after determining foul play by teammate Ruan, resulting in disappointment for the visiting team.
Having dodged the bullet, Seongnam capitalized on their opportunity at the 18-minute mark. Shin Jae-won, showcasing his vision, delivered a precise cross from the right side. Huiz, positioned near the goal, executed a deft header, sending the ball past Hwaseong's goalkeeper, Kim Seung-geon. This goal ignited cheers from the home crowd and signified Seongnam's resurgence.
Seongnam maintained pressure after their lead. They quickly transitioned from defense to offense, shutting down additional attempts from Hwaseong with disciplined tactics. Just before halftime, Hwaseong again found themselves close to equalizing when Dominic struck the post, serving as their most significant chance of the first half.
With the second half underway, Seongnam made strategic substitutions, opting to introduce Hong Chang-bum, who recently joined from FC Anyang, activating new energy on the field. The decision paid off swiftly. Just six minutes after the interval, Hong found the back of the net, slamming home the ball following incisive interplay initiated by Huiz. This goal effectively sealed the match for Seongnam, moving the score to 2-0.
Despite their mounting efforts, including pushing for additional scoring opportunities from Hwaseong, Seongnam's solid defending thwarted any come-from-behind attempts. Cha's team struggled to find their rhythm, and frustrations mounted as they continued to miss chances, leaving them guilt-ridden after their K League 2 initiation.
Post-match comments reflected the mixed emotions from both management teams. Coach Jeong highlighted, "Each win counts, and starting the season positively is pivotal for us to shape our season." Meanwhile, Cha Du-ri accepted the loss with grace, noting the importance of gathering experience and lessons from tough matches like this for his newly formed squad.
Seongnam's triumph over Hwaseong marked not just their first win of the season but also served as proof of their renewed determination to rise from last year’s lows. This opening victory underlines their ambition going forward, as fans eagerly anticipate how their team’s next match will shape the season. For Hwaseong, the focus remains on learning and improvement as they adapt to professional league competition.