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| Source=Sunderland SNS Capture |
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| Source=TNT Sports Capture |
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| 출처=EFL SNS 캡쳐 |
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It's meThe English club Sunderland, which touched the hearts of soccer fans with the commentary 'Sunderland even after death', dramatically won the ticket to promotion to the English Premier League (EPL).
Sunderland came from behind to win 2-1 in the final of the English Championship Playoff in the 2024-2025 season against Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium in London on the 25th (Korea time). Sunderland, who was dragged by dedicating an early first goal to Tyrese Campbell in the 25th minute of the first half, was lucky to have his opponent's score canceled through the Video Reading System (VAR). In the 31st minute of the second half, when the 0-1 score lasted more than 50 minutes, Sunderland, who returned the game to square one with a dramatic equalizer from Eliezer Mayenda, turned the game around with a theatrical comeback by Tom Watson in the 5th minute of extra time in the second half.
As a result, he achieved his dream of returning to the EPL for the first time in eight years since he was demoted in 2017.
Sunderland, where Ki Sung-yueng (Seoul) and Ji Dong-won (Suwon FC) stayed in the past, experienced relegation to 20th place in the EPL in 2017. He was 24th in the 2018 Championship and had been relegated for two consecutive seasons, playing in League One (third division) for four years from 2018 to 2022. The Netflix documentary 'Die Sunderland' dealt with the rise and fall of Sunderland for five years from 2017 to 2022. The collapse of the traditional club, which was founded in 1879 and has won six top-flight titles in England, was derided by fans of other teams. In particular, local rival Newcastle's growth to the Champions League level further shocked Sunderland fans.
Sunderland, who finished 16th in the 2023-2024 Championship, finished fourth this season with a dramatic turnaround under French coach Reggie Le Brees. Sunderland took the lead with a 2-1 win away to Coventry City in the first leg of the promotion play-off semi-final under Frank Lampard. The tie also faced a crisis by giving up the first goal in the 31st minute of the second half in the second home game, but he dramatically won the ticket to the final thanks to Daniel Ballard's 'theater winning goal' in the second minute of extra time. Sunderland, who was struggling in a five-game losing streak at the end of the championship, wrote two touching dramas during the 120th minute of the semifinal and 90th minute of the final.
It was spectacular to see Sunderland players cross their arms in front of fans and sing Elvis Presley's masterpiece 'Can't Help Falling in Love'. The response was that he could not express the emotion of returning to the EPL better, which is unlikely to come again.
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Watson, who made history by replacing him in the 28th minute of the second half, said in an interview with 'Sky Sports' after the game that "I can't express it in words. I can't believe it. We met again in the Premier League next season, in a really cool league, and we didn't hide our excitement. He "I imagined this for weeks. As soon as I found a small gap, I made a play that took advantage of it (wrapped into the corner of the goal)."
Sunderland captain Dan Neal "The whole city has become one in the last two weeks. That is the identity of Sunderland Football Club. It evokes deep sympathy for everyone, and when they become one, their power becomes even stronger. "I was able to do a miracle because of my fans."
Luke Onyon of Sunderland, who suffered a displacement just three minutes into the game due to a dislocated shoulder, said "It would have been his best game since joining Sunderland. I'm so proud of this club and my colleagues. It was the first time the game was this unstable, but the coach said anything could happen with just one goal."
Sunderland's promotion ended the long promotion and relegation race. Three teams will head to the EPL, including championship winner Leeds, second-place Burnley and playoff winner Sunderland. On the contrary, Ipswich Town, Leicester City and Southampton, which ranked 18th to 20th in the EPL, were demoted and traded places. Jove Bellingham (Sunderland), the younger brother of superstar Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), will wear his Sunderland uniform next season and face superstars such as Son Heung-min (Tottenham) in the EPL. The production of Season 4 of 'Dying Sunderland' seems urgent.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
