Mugosa made a dramatic return. Incheon United was so desperate to win, and proved this in the game.
Incheon won 1-0 in the 15th round of the 'Hana Bank K League 2 2025' against Bucheon FC1995 at Incheon Football Stadium on the 8th.
By winning this match, Incheon (38 points) again widened the gap with second-place Suwon Samsung (31 points) and went on a 12-game unbeaten streak. On the other hand, Bucheon (22 points) lost to Incheon following the previous match against Suwon, losing to Incheon and losing for two consecutive games.
Leading Incheon, which has to widen the gap, and Bucheon, which needs points to chase the top ranks. Both teams were desperate for victory. Incheon's league win streak stopped at eight consecutive wins with a 3-3 draw against Cheonan last time. Nevertheless, the upward trend remained with 11 games (9 wins and 2 draws) undefeated. However, he had to widen the gap with second-place Suwon Samsung (31 points). Bucheon lost 1-4 in the previous match against Suwon Samsung, dampening its momentum. He also ended his unbeaten streak of four games (two wins and two draws). He aimed to turn the mood around by avenging Incheon, which lost 1-3 in its last showdown.
In Incheon, Mugosa returned dramatically. Initially, Mugosa was expected to leave Incheon during the A-match period as he was drafted to the Montenegrin national team. However, Mugosa did not play a friendly match and immediately returned to Incheon after Montenegro's third Group K match in the 2026 North-China World Cup European qualifying round. Mugosa returned early and was included in the replacement list, and Incheon was able to play without a power gap in the front. On the other hand, for Bucheon, Mugosa returned early, increasing the burden of the Incheon attack.
Incheon coach Yoon Jung-hwan played in a 4-4-2 formation. Park Ho-min, Park Seung-ho, and Jungwon were built by Gerson, Lee Myung-joo, Moon Jin-hwan, and Baro in the Choi Jeongbang. Lee Ju-yong, Park Kyung-seop, Kim Gun-hee, and Kim Myung-soon were in the four backs. Min Sung-joon defended the goal. Mugosa was placed on the replacement list.
Bucheon coach Lee Young-min faced off with a 3-4-3 formation. Lee Eui-hyung, Montagno, and Basani are on the front three-top, and the midfield has been established by Park Hyun-bin, Kaz, Jung Ho-jin, and Tiaginho. The defense was made up of Lee Jae-won, Lee Sang-hyuk and Hong Sung-wook. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Kim Hyung-geun.
From the first half, Incheon took the lead and pushed against Bucheon. Bucheon was also blocked by not being pushed back and not giving up the back space in Incheon. In the 27th minute of the first half, Park Ho-min connected Kim Myung-soon's cross, which received a pass stabbed by Gervo from the side, with a shot. Park Ho-min connected the ball that bounced off the post with a shot again, but this time, it was caught in defense. Gervo tried to finish this again, but Kim Hyung-geun had already handled the ball.
Incheon, where the attack was rarely resolved, sought a chance from a long distance. In the 41st minute of the first half, when Gerson's cross hit the defense and flowed in front of the box, Lee Myung-joo finished it with a mid-range shot, but headed to the side of the net. In the 42nd minute of the first half, Gervo led the counterattack and penetrated deep to the left side of the box. However, Lee Ju-yong finished Gerson's cross with a volley shot, but it failed to impact properly and left the goal.
Bucheon aimed for an opportunity early in the second half. In the third minute of the second half, Thiago finished the cross from the right with a header, but he headed in front of the goalkeeper. Incheon is not behind either. When Kim Myung-soon's cross from the right flowed in the fourth minute of the second half, Barlow penetrated and finished it. However, the ball was caught without crossing Kim Hyung-geun.
Incheon, which continued to tap Bucheon, scored the first goal. In the 7th minute of the second half, Lee Joo-yong's throw-in headed into the box, and the mixed situation unfolded. As Lee Sang-hyuk headed near the goal post, which he couldn't handle properly, Barlow finished with a shot, but the ball was blocked by Kim Hyung-geun. Concentration was effective at the last minute. When the ball that was blocked by the defense fell into the gate, Gervo pushed it back and shook the net.
Incheon scored the first goal and gained momentum. In the 16th minute of the second half, Park Seung-ho, who confirmed that Kim Hyung-geun left the post empty, tried to shoot a long-distance shot, but hit the upper net. In the 20th minute of the second half, Incheon excluded Park Ho-min and Kim Myeon-soon, and introduced Park Ho-min and Lee Sang-ki, making changes in both attack and defense.
Incheon missed the opportunity to open the gap with the score cancelled. In the 24th minute of the second half, Park Seung-ho, who was waiting in the center of the box for a cross from Lee Sang-ki, who caught the ball from the right side, finished with a header to break the goal. However, VAR readings pointed out Barlow's foul in the previous situation and the score was not recognized.
Bucheon gradually increased its chances and fought back. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Montagno's shot, which caught the ball from the left side of the box, headed to the side of the net. He sped up the pace with a counterattack. In the 41st minute of the second half, Incheon defenders barely blocked a cross from Thiagingyo's left side in a counterattack. In the 7th minute of extra time in the second half, Vasani finished a free kick from the front of the Incheon box, but hit the upper net. Incheon also aimed for a chance until the end. Lee Ju-yong's cross from the side was finished with a header in the 10th minute of extra time in the second half, but was blocked by Kim Hyung-geun.
In the end, the game ended with Incheon's 1-0 victory.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
