Chungbuk Cheongju FC Faces Cheonan City FC in Intense Chungcheong Derby for Final A Playoff Spot

As the 2025 K League 2 regular season enters its final stretch, Chungbuk Cheongju FC and Cheonan City FC faced off in a Chungcheong regional derby match on September 27. With both teams aiming for Final A (upper playoff) qualification, this match was more than just a local rivalry—it was a crucial battle that could determine their season's fate. With four matches remaining in the regular season, the two teams are locked in fierce competition with just a one-point difference in the standings.

Fierce Competition for Final A Qualification

K League 2 introduced a new playoff system called 'PlayONE Cup' this year. After the regular season concludes, the top five teams compete in Final A for promotion to K League 1 and the championship, while teams ranked 6-10 play in Final B for ranking determination. Final A qualification is directly linked not only to prize money and sponsorships but also to securing next season's budget, making it a matter of life and death for each club.

Current standings show: 1st place Bucheon FC (67 points), 2nd Jeonnam Dragons (65 points), 3rd Cheonan City FC (61 points), 4th Chungbuk Cheongju FC (60 points), 5th Gimpo FC (58 points), and 6th Seoul E-Land FC (57 points). Cheonan and Chungbuk are battling for the 3rd and 4th positions, while 5th-place Gimpo and 6th-place Seoul are also in pursuit, creating a four-team scramble for the last Final A ticket. This Chungcheong derby presented an opportunity for either Cheonan or Chungbuk to secure an advantageous position for Final A qualification.

History and Significance of the Chungcheong Derby

The rivalry between Chungbuk Cheongju FC and Cheonan City FC stems from representing the geographically adjacent provinces of North Chungcheong and South Chungcheong. The two cities are only an hour's drive apart and, despite belonging to different administrative districts, share close cultural and economic ties. Derby matches between these teams attract significant attention from regional fans, with stadiums consistently recording sellout crowds.

This match was no exception. Cheongju Stadium drew over 12,000 spectators, with more than 1,000 Cheonan away supporters making the trip. Supporters from both sides engaged in passionate cheering battles throughout the 90 minutes, elevating the match atmosphere. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. Cheonan took a 2-0 lead with consecutive goals in the 15th and 32nd minutes of the first half, but Chungbuk fought back with a penalty kick in the 63rd minute and a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time to secure the 2-2 draw. While Chungbuk fans celebrated the dramatic equalizer, it represented a disappointing two-point loss for Cheonan.

Remaining Schedule and Outlook

The draw narrowed the point difference between the teams to just one point (Cheonan 62 points, Chungbuk 61 points). If both teams fail to secure victories in their remaining three matches, they risk being overtaken by 5th-place Gimpo FC (currently 59 points) and 6th-place Seoul E-Land FC (58 points). Particularly concerning is that Gimpo FC has a relatively easier remaining schedule with high potential for consecutive wins, putting significant pressure on both Cheonan and Chungbuk.

Chungbuk Cheongju FC manager Park Tae-ha stated in a post-match interview, "While the draw is disappointing, this match demonstrated our team's fighting spirit of never giving up. We will win all three remaining matches and definitely advance to Final A." Cheonan City FC manager Kim Tae-wan also commented, "It's a disappointing result, but we're still in an advantageous position. We'll focus on one match at a time to achieve our goal." The competition for K League 2's Final A qualification is expected to remain fiercely contested until the season's final match.

Original article: TrendyNews Korea