Former Daejeon Citizen striker Kim Eun-jung reflected on the club’s landmark 2001 FA Cup victory, describing it as transformative for the organization. Playing at just 22 years old, Kim scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 triumph over Pohang Steelers, securing Daejeon’s first-ever trophy since its founding four years earlier. The achievement marked a remarkable turnaround for a squad that had struggled near the bottom of the K League standings throughout the season.
The FA Cup success unexpectedly opened doors to continental competition, as Daejeon qualified for the AFC Champions League. Kim recalled the grueling qualification campaign, including a physically demanding trip to India followed by a group stage held in Thailand. Facing Kashima Antlers, Shanghai Shenhua, and the host nation’s BEC-Tero Sasana, Daejeon impressed by winning two matches but fell short of advancing to the knockout rounds, finishing second in their group.
Despite scoring in a 2-1 victory against Shanghai Shenhua, Kim emphasized the collective nature of the achievement rather than individual accomplishments. He credited the club’s unified atmosphere and passionate players for overcoming financial difficulties and creating what he called “a truly precious gift” for the organization and its supporters.
Looking ahead to Daejeon’s upcoming participation in the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite, Kim expressed confidence in the squad’s capabilities. He acknowledged improvements in both the J.League and K.League while emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation, particularly regarding physical demands and adaptation to away conditions for international competition.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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