Incheon United Putus Tren Negatif Setelah Tundukkan Jeonbuk Hyundai

Rangkaian dua kekalahan beruntun Incheon United di kompetisi domestik resmi terhenti setelah berhasil menumbangkan Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors dengan skor 1-0 pada laga pekan ke-18 Hana Bank K League 1 2026 di Stadion Sepak Bola Incheon, Sabtu, 18 Juli 2026 malam waktu setempat.

Gol penentu kemenangan tuan rumah dicetak oleh Jerzo menjelang akhir babak pertama melalui bola muntah dari tendangan Seo Jae-min yang sempat diblok oleh kiper Jeonbuk, Song Beom-geun. Tambahan tiga angka pascajeda Piala Dunia ini mendongkrak posisi tim asuhan Yoon Jeong-hwan ke peringkat keenam klasemen dengan raihan 24 poin dari 7 kemenangan, 3 hasil imbang, dan 8 kekalahan, sementara Jeonbuk tertahan di peringkat kedua dengan 29 poin.

Sebelum laga dimulai, Kepala Pelatih Incheon United, Yoon Jeong-hwan, menjelaskan bahwa kondisi mental para pemainnya tetap terjaga dengan baik meski sempat kalah di kandang dari FC Anyang.

"Although we are on a losing streak, I don't think our performance level has dropped. We prepared to fill in some gaps and did so well with good morale. The key is making decisions. We discussed many things about crosses and ideas in the final third." urai Yoon Jeong-hwan, Kepala Pelatih Incheon United kepada starnewskorea.com.

Yoon Jeong-hwan juga mengidentifikasi bahwa kendala utama timnya setelah libur kompetisi adalah penyelesaian akhir yang kurang maksimal meskipun skuadnya mampu melepaskan banyak tembakan tepat sasaran.

"Our performance hasn't been bad. The biggest issue since the break has been the lack of goals. In the last match, we had many effective shots, but they either went straight to the goalkeeper or the crosses were inaccurate.

If we don't correct these issues, it might be difficult. But if those things align well, there shouldn't be a major problem in scoring." jelas Yoon Jeong-hwan.

Selain faktor teknis, ia menekankan pentingnya kesiapan mental agar para pemain dapat tampil lepas tanpa beban di lapangan.

"When you start being chased, you get anxious, and when you're anxious, you can't execute as planned. I think psychological factors will play an even bigger role. Ultimately, atmosphere is crucial. It's the players who do the work, so we have no choice but to trust and wait." pungkas Yoon Jeong-hwan.

Di sisi lain, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors mendominasi penguasaan bola di atas 60 persen pada paruh pertama, namun serangan Mota dan tim selalu terbentur pertahanan rapat serta jebakan offside Incheon, termasuk gol sundulan Mota pada menit ke-14 yang dianulir.

Kepala Pelatih Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Jeong Jeong-yong, mengungkapkan bahwa timnya terpaksa melakukan rotasi pemain akibat absennya Kim Tae-hyun, Kim Young-bin yang cedera, serta Lee Seung-woo yang terkena akumulasi kartu.

"With Lee Seung-woo also unavailable, Ye-geon is the first choice among attackers for substitution. As for when that timing will come, we will have to see." ujar Jeong Jeong-yong seperti dilansir starnewskorea.com.

Masuknya penyerang muda Kim Ye-geon di babak kedua memberikan variasi serangan baru bagi Jeonbuk setelah ia mencetak gol debut melawan Ulsan HD minggu lalu.

"When you get this much spotlight, there will certainly be parts where opponents attack more aggressively. I told (Kim Ye-geon) he must overcome that, and I expect him to do well today as well." kata Jeong Jeong-yong.

Walaupun Jeonbuk terus menggempur dan memberikan debut kepada Han Seok-jin, skor tetap tidak berubah hingga laga usai, sekaligus menggagalkan misi balas dendam Jeonbuk atas kekalahan dari Incheon pada April lalu.

"The opponent is on a losing streak, so their focus will likely be sharper. However, this is also a very important match for us, and we must seek revenge for our first defeat." tambah Jeong Jeong-yong sebelum laga bergulir.