Daejeon Citizen FC

Daejeon Citizen
대전 시티즌
Full name Daejeon Citizen Football Club
대전 시티즌 프로축구단
Short name DCFC
Founded 1997 (1997)
Ground Daejeon World Cup Stadium
Ground Capacity 40,535
Chairman Mayor of Daejeon
Manager Lee Young-ik
League K League Challenge
2016 7th
Website Club home page

Daejeon Citizen Football Club (Korean 대전 시티즌 프로축구단) is a South Korean professional football team, based in the city of Daejeon. Daejeon Citizen Football Club are famous for being the first community-club in Korea. Daejeon first entered the K League for the 1997 season, finishing 7th out of the 10 teams participating in the league that season. In spite of a limited budget, Daejeon won the 2001 Korean FA Cup. It has not achieved sustained success in the K League, historically occupying the middle and lower reaches of the standings each season. At the end of the 2013 season, Daejeon was relegated to the K League Challenge.

History

First steps into the K League

Following the foundation of the professional football league (the Korean Super League, reorganised as the K League in 1998) in Korea, there were few league matches held in Daejeon, and such matches that were held were played by visiting clubs. The absence of a local team in the league made it difficult for the citizens of Daejeon to identify with any particular team. However, in 1996 a plan to establish 'Daejeon Citizen' – their own local community club – was unveiled, which meant Daejeon citizens would have their own team to support in the league. Generally in Korea, 'community-club' means that the club issues shares. In the case of Daejeon, although shares weren't issued until 2005 (and the issuing of shares continued into 2006), they were already known as a 'community-club'. Daejeon was the first club that did not belong to a specific company such as one of the 'chaebols' (Samsung, LG or the like) or another major company. This has a very symbolic meaning as essentially the club is founded upon the support of the local community rather than a specific company.

Kim Ki-Bok, now vice-president of Korea National League ("National League", the second division), was appointed the first manager of Daejeon Citizen. With high expectations, Daejeon took their first step to the K League in 1997 (at the time, the K League was known as the Rapido Super League), opening their season with a match against Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i. However, the results achieved in their first season did not live up to their high expectations for their first season. Although the club placed 7th in the league, ahead of Cheonan, Angyang and Bucheon, only three matches (out of 18) were won.

The IMF Crisis

To many Korean people, the year 1998 is considered to be a "hard year". A major economic crisis necessitated IMF intervention in the Korean economy – this period of time is commonly referred to as the "IMF crisis" in South Korea. As a consequence a number of companies, including some considered to be "Chaebol" went bankrupt, and there was widespread unemployment. Daejeon Citizen did not escape this crisis unscathed. The main board of Daejeon consisted of 4 groups – Kyeryong Construction Industrial, Dong-A Construction, DongYang Department Store and Chung-cheong Bank. But as a consequence of the IMF crisis, three of the four groups went bankrupt, leaving Kyeryong as the only survivor of the original board. There was a subsequent impact on the level of financial and management support provided to the club. This made for a particularly difficult season in the 1998 season of the K League. Again, only three games were won, but this time Daejeon finished 9th in the league, ahead of only Cheonan Ilhwa Chunma.

The following year, 1999, Daejeon improved their winning record to six victories. However, changes in the K League structure since the previous year meant that an extra 9 games were played, 27 in total, from the previous season. There were a total of 18 losses, the worst in the league. Despite this, Daejeon improved to 8th out of 10 clubs. Little progress was made in the FA and league cups. For the 2000 season, Daejeon maintained its 8th position in the league.

On the verge of disappearing

For the 2001 season, Lee Tae-Ho was appointed manager, and promptly took Daejeon Citizen's first piece of silverware, leading Daejeon to victory in the FA Cup. The decisive goal of the FA Cup final came from Kim Eun-Jung, which gave the team a one-nil victory over the Pohang Steelers. Due to this win, Daejeon also qualified to the 2002–03 AFC Champions League for the first time. This helped compensate for their poor performance in the K League, in which they finished 10th and last, even on points with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors but with an inferior goal differential.

South Korea was a co-host of the 2002 FIFA Football World Cup, with Daejeon as one of the host cities. The city constructed a brand new stadium for the World Cup, and following the conclusion of the tournament, Daejeon Citizen changed stadiums. The shift from their former stadium, Daejeon Hanbat Stadium, to Daejeon World Cup Stadium meant the club not only benefited from the new facilities, but also the greater capacity of the stadium. Unfortunately, Daejeon's poor league performance from the previous year was carried into the 2002 season, and the club finished last again, and by some margin, having won but a single game throughout the season. Lee Tae-Ho eventually resigned taking responsibility for the poor results. However, more creditable results were achieved in the AFC Champions League. Although they did not make proceed beyond the group phase, they did finish 2nd in the group, beating both Shanghai Shenhua and Kashima Antlers. Their only loss was to the eventual group winner and overall runner-up, Thai club BEC Tero Sasana.

In other changes for 2002, the key financial supporter of the club – Kyeryong, which with their support ensured that Daejeon Citizen would survive the IMF crisis – declared that they would withdraw from the club's board. Daejeon City Hall decided to give financial support to the club. This ensured the club would survive to participate in the 2003 season.

"Miracle 2003"

The 2003 season proved to be memorable for Daejeon fans. Choi Yun-Gyeom, previously coach at Bucheon SK (now Jeju United), was appointed manager to replace Lee Tae-ho who had resigned in the wake of the club's disastrous 2002 season. Choi, originally from Daejeon, willingly came back to his hometown. Choi promptly inspired the team and completely changed its dynamics by implementing the 4–3–3 formation. The outcome was a near miraculous recovery from 2002, and he, together with Daejeon Citizen, coined the catchphrase "Miracle 2003". Daejeon Citizen finished the 2003 season in 6th place, its best finish ever in the league, having won 18 of 44 games. Its placing of 6th was even more meritorious as the K League had expanded to 12 teams, with Daegu FC and Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix entering the competition for the first time. At the same, Daejeon improved its average home game attendance to about 19,000.

It proved difficult for the club to maintain its performance into 2004. A lack of strike power at the attacking end of the field left the club with the worst offensive record of all the clubs in the K League, scoring 18 goals in 24 games (eventual champions Suwon scored 31). Daejeon slipped to 10th out of 13 teams, Incheon United now participating in the league. However, they did make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup, going down to eventual runner-up, Bucheon SK. Daejeon also finished runner up in the Hauzen Cup, behind only Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

The lack of penetration continued to be problematic into the 2005 season, with the club maintaining its record as the worst offensive side in the league, with only 19 goals scored in 24 games. The next best teams (Chunnam and Gwangju) scored 23 goals, and the best offensive side was Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, with 40 goals scored in the regular season (the K League had been reorganised in 2004 to have a play-off phase after completion of a regular season). However, superb defence saw only 20 goals conceded (best defensive record in the league) ensuring that Daejeon finished 7th in the regular season, having lost only six games. In the 2005 cup competitions, the FA Cup and the League Cup, Daejeon failed to progress to the quarterfinal stage.

Daejeon repeated its placing of 2004, finishing the regular season in 10th out of 15, with Gyeongnam FC entering the K League for the first time in 2006. Goal scoring had improved, with Brazilian import Denilson featuring among the top scorers of the league, with 7 goals. Average to middling results were achieved in the cup competitions.

Play-off Qualification 2007

Daejeon achieved what originally appeared by midseason at least, to be a highly unlikely qualification for the playoff phase of the K League following a 1–0 win over Suwon which ensured a superior goal differential to FC Seoul, with whom Daejeon finished equal on points. The win over Suwon was Daejeon's 5th consecutive victory and ultimately enabled them to qualify for the championship playoffs for the first time in their history. By midseason, it had seemed like another disappointing season was in store for Daejeon fans, with precious few wins recorded, and a number of losses. When Kim Ho took over from previous manager Choi Yun-Gyeom mid-season, Daejeon were languishing in 11th position. However, under the guidance of their legendary coach, and with good performances from Denilson, who scored 14 goals, and one of Korea's best technical players, Ko Jong-Soo, they eventually qualified for the play-offs. However, they were ultimately beaten by Ulsan Hyundai in the first phase of the play-offs. In cup competitions, once again there was a lack of progress to a significant level of knockout rounds.

Stadium

Since the 2002 K League season, which kicked off within a few weeks of the conclusion of the 2002 FIFA Football World Cup, Daejeon Citizen FC have played their home games at Daejeon World Cup Stadium. The stadium was specifically constructed for the world cup, and was completed in September 2001. Daejeon World Cup Stadium hosted two group games of the world cup, as well as the South Korea/Italy quarter-final. The fans of Daejeon Citizen have nicknamed the stadium "Purple Arena". The stadium has a seating capacity of 40,535. The last four home games of the 2014 season were played at the Hanbat Stadium, Daejeon's old ground to allow time for maintenance work to be carried out at World Cup Stadium. Daejeon will return to the World Cup Stadium for the 2015 season.[1]

Honours

Domestic competitions

League

1st, gold medalist(s) Winners (1): 2014

Cups

1st, gold medalist(s) Winners (1): 2001
2nd, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2004
2nd, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (1): 2002

International competitions

Friendly competitions

1st, gold medalist(s) Winners (6): 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016
2nd, silver medalist(s) Runners-up (4): 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015
1st, gold medalist(s) Winners (1): 2016

Records

Season Division Tms. Pos. FA Cup AFC CL
1997 1 10 7 Round of 16
1998 1 10 9 Round of 16
1999 1 10 8 Round of 16
2000 1 10 8 1st Round
2001 1 10 10 Winners
2002 1 10 10 Semi-finals
2003 1 12 6 Quarter-finals Group stage
2004 1 13 11 Semi-finals
2005 1 13 8 Round of 16
2006 1 14 10 Round of 16
2007 1 14 6 Round of 16
2008 1 14 13 Round of 32
2009 1 15 9 Semi-finals
2010 1 15 13 Semi-finals
2011 1 16 15 Round of 16
2012 1 16 13 Quarter-finals
2013 1 14 14 Round of 32
2014 2 10 1 Round of 32
2015 1 12 12 Round of 16
2016 2 11 7 Round of 16
Key

Results

  • Founded: 1997
1997

– Manager : Kim Ki-Bok
- 1997 League Cup : 9th
-
1997 League Cup (Supplementary Cup) : 5th in Group B
-
1997 K League : 7th
-
1997 FA Cup : Round of 16

1998

1998 League Cup : 4th in Group A
- 1998 League Cup (Supplementary Cup) : 6th
- 1998 K League : 9th
- 1998 FA Cup : Round of 16

1999

1999 League Cup : Quarter-final
- 1999 League Cup (Supplementary Cup) : 4th in Group A
- 1999 K League : 8th
- 1999 FA Cup : Round of 16

2000

2000 League Cup : Quarter-final
- 2000 League Cup (Supplementary Cup) : 5th in Group B
- 2000 K League : 8th
- 2000 FA Cup : Qualifying Round

2001

– Manager Changed to Lee Tae-Ho
- 2001 League Cup : 3rd in Group A
- 2001 K League : 10th
- 2001 FA Cup : Winners

2002

2002 Super Cup : Runner-Up
- 2002 League Cup : 4th in Group B
- 2002 K League : 10th
- 2002 FA Cup : Semi-final
- AFC Champions League : Qualified for Group Stage

2003

– Manager Changed to Choi Yun-Gyeom
- AFC Champions League 2002–03 : 2nd in Group A
- 2003 K League : 6th
- 2003 FA Cup : Quarter-final

2004

2004 League Cup : 2nd
- 2004 K League : 11th
- 2004 FA Cup : Semi-final

2005

2005 League Cup : 10th
- 2005 K League : 7th
- 2005 Cup : Round of 16

2006

2006 League Cup : 4th
- 2006 K League : 10th
- 2006 FA Cup : Round of 16

2007

2007 League Cup : 5th
- 2007 K League : 6th
- 2007 FA Cup : Round of 16

2008

2008 League Cup : 4th
- 2008 K League : 13th
- 2008 FA Cup : Round of 32

2009

2009 League Cup : 5th
- 2009 K League : 9th
- 2009 FA Cup : Semi-final

2010

2010 League Cup : 5th
- 2010 K League : 13th
- 2010 FA Cup : Round of 16

2011

2011 League Cup : 6th
- 2011 K League : 15th
- 2011 FA Cup : Round of 16

2012

2012 K League : 13th
- 2012 FA Cup : Quarter-final

2013

2013 K League Classic : 14th
- 2013 FA Cup : Round of 32

2014

2014 K League Challenge : 1st
- 2014 FA Cup : Round of 32

Sponsors

Kit Supplier

Squad

Current squad

As of 27 July 2016

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 South Korea GK Park Ju-won
2 South Korea DF Kim Tae-bong
3 South Korea DF Kim Hyung-jin
4 South Korea DF Woo Hyun
5 South Korea MF Kim Byung-suk
6 South Korea MF Hwang In-beom
8 South Korea MF Kim Sun-min
10 South Korea FW Kim Dong-chan
11 South Korea FW Yu Seung-wan
12 South Korea DF Park Jae-woo
13 Romania DF Jean-Claude Bozga
14 South Korea DF Byun Jung-seok
15 South Korea FW Kang Young-je
16 South Korea MF Lee Dong-soo
17 South Korea FW Jin Dae-sung (on loan from Jeju)
19 South Korea FW Park Dae-hoon
No. Position Player
20 South Korea DF Jang Joon-young
22 South Korea DF Oh Chang-hyun
23 South Korea MF Cho Ye-chan
24 South Korea MF Yeom Kwang-bin
25 South Korea GK Lee Beom-soo
26 South Korea DF Kim Dong-gon
27 South Korea MF Kang Yoon-seong
28 South Korea MF Choi Young-hyo
29 South Korea DF Kim Hae-sik
30 South Korea FW Nam Yoon-jae
31 South Korea GK Kim Ji-cheol
32 South Korea MF Park Joon-gyeong
34 South Korea FW Lim Joon-sik
35 South Korea MF Oh Hyeok-jin
88 South Korea FW Ko Min-hyuk (on loan from Ulsan)
99 Brazil FW Gustavo Sauer (on loan from Joinville)

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
South Korea GK Oh Seung-hoon (to Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
South Korea DF Hwang Jin-san (to FC Pocheon)
South Korea DF Yoon Jun-sung (to Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
No. Position Player
South Korea MF Lee Hyun-seung (to Ansan Police for military duty)
South Korea FW Hwang Ji-woong (to Ansan Police for military duty)

Staff

Managers

# Name From To Season Matches Won Drawn Lost Notes
1South Korea Kim Ki-bok1996/11/212000/10/251997–00142352681
2South Korea Lee Tae-ho2000/10/262002/12/302001–0270132235
3South Korea Choi Yun-kyum2003/01/082007/06/302003–07178546856
4South Korea Kim Ho2007/07/132009/06/262007–0966191829
CSouth Korea Wang Sun-Jae2009/06/272009/10/26200970152035
52009/10/272011/07/022009–11
CSouth Korea Shin Jin-won2011/07/032011/07/1620112002
6South Korea Yoo Sang-chul2011/07/202012/12/012011–1256161426
7South Korea Kim In-wan2012/12/052013/10/022013302919
CSouth KoreaCho Jin-ho 2013/10/032014/05/082013–14
8 2014–15
CCanada Michael Kim2015/05/212015/05/31201570152035
9South Korea Choi Moon-sik2015/05/26present2015–

NB: Only counted K League and League Cup official matches. KFA Cup, AFC Champions League results are not lncluded in this table.
Last updated: 2014-05-08

References

  1. Daejeon Metropolitan City Facilities Website – in english
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