Daegu FC Coach Seeks Balanced Attack After Brazilian Stars Save Day.

Daegu: Daegu FC leaned on their Brazilian attacking duo of Cesinha and Edgar to survive a tough playoff match against a second-division foe and secure a spot in the top league for next year. And Daegu's head coach Park Chang-hyun believes overreliance on the tandem is not a sustainable formula for success.According to Yonhap News Agency, Daegu defeated Chungnam Asan FC 6-5 in the aggregate score in their two-legged K League promotion-relegation playoff. After dropping the opening leg 4-3 last Thursday, Daegu prevailed 3-1 in the return leg at home Sunday. Cesinha, who has been with Daegu since 2016, scored three times in these crucial matches, while Edgar, a team member since 2018, contributed with a goal and assisted on Cesinha's first-half marker in Sunday's win.Head coach Park Chang-hyun acknowledged the critical roles played by Cesinha and Edgar but emphasized the need for other players to take on more responsibility in the upcoming seasons. "These guys are not getting any younger, and they are taking longer to recover (from injuries and fatigue)," Park noted after the victory at DGB Daegu Bank Park. He stressed the importance of team organization to develop a unique style of play that does not overly depend on the aging stars.Despite the need for a more balanced team effort, Park still values Cesinha's contribution, describing him as the "face of this team" and "indispensable." Cesinha, who leads the club with 102 goals and 66 assists, will need a new contract to continue with Daegu. While expressing his desire to retain Cesinha, Park also encouraged other players to step up.In response to the club's future plans, Cesinha was noncommittal about his contract renewal, stating that discussions with the club are necessary. He also downplayed his role in the team's success, insisting that it was a collective effort. "Many people might think I saved Daegu, but I don't agree with that. Everyone did their job really well," he stated.Reflecting on the team's reliance on his performance, Cesinha acknowledged the reality of his age and the need for clear plans for the future. "I am getting old. I don't know how the contract talks will go, but if we can stay levelheaded and come up with clear plans for 2025, we won't be as bad as we were this year," he concluded.