Daejeon Hana Citizen, considered one of the strongest teams in the 2026 K League 1 season, failed to secure three points after drawing with FC Anyang in their opening match.
Daejeon drew 1-1 with Anyang in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 Round 1 opening match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Sunday.
Having lost 0-2 to Jeonbuk in the Super Cup, their first official match of the season, Daejeon settled for another draw in their home opener, postponing their quest for a first victory.
Both teams battled evenly from the start, exchanging attacks at a rapid pace in an entertaining match despite the lack of early goals.
Daejeon, pressing relentlessly, created the first scoring opportunity. In the second minute of first-half stoppage time, Kim Min-deok pushed the ball toward the goal line during a goalmouth scramble, creating an excellent chance to open the scoring.
However, Anyang's defense showed concentration under pressure. Defender Thomas made a dramatic clearance to avert the danger.
The 0-0 deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute by Daejeon's Seo Jin-su. Carrying the ball from before the halfway line, Seo delivered a sharp through pass to Rubixon on the left flank.
Rubixon laid the ball off to Joo Min-gyu on the opposite side of the penalty area. Joo's quick one-touch cross found Seo Jin-su charging into the box, who headed home to give Daejeon the lead.
Anyang responded immediately. In the 62nd minute, Choi Geon-ju's cross from the flank struck Lee Myung-jae's left hand before heading toward goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun.
A VAR review confirmed the handball, and a penalty was awarded.
Mateus stepped up and calmly converted to level the score.
With the match heading toward a draw, Daejeon earned a decisive opportunity. Diogo, attempting to meet Bobsin's cross, was struck in the face by Anyang's Kwon Kyung-won during an aerial challenge and collapsed, appearing visibly shaken. Following a VAR review, the referee awarded a penalty for Kwon's foul.
But Anyang had their newly-signed goalkeeper Kim Jung-hoon in goal. He saved Kim Hyun-wook's penalty to rescue his team from defeat.
Neither side found an additional goal, and the match ended 1-1.