Firebirds will face Hwaseong Coreyo, a powerhouse in the independent league, in their 10th direct match of the 2026 season at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 19th.
Hwaseong Coreyo, the opposing team, is a newly established franchise founded in 2024 and is in its third year this season, currently recording 1st place in the independent league. With four players including Kim Jun-woo, Lee Jong-hyuk, Gil Ji-seok, and Kim Ye-jun advancing to the professional league, the team has earned a reputation as a professional talent academy. It remains to be seen what kind of performance Hwaseong Coreyo, which has achieved an 80 percent-plus winning rate based on solid player depth and strong offensive firepower, will display against the Firebirds.
In response, the Firebirds leverage the synergy of veteran players including Park Yong-taek, Lee Dae-ho, Oh Seung-hwan, Jung Geun-woo, Lee Taek-geun, and Jung Sung-hoon. The Firebirds, who added a victory in the broadcast on the 13th, are generating anticipation about what strategy they will bring against the independent league's strongest team.
The key point of interest in this match is whether former and current Firebirds players Sun Sung-kwon and Kang Dong-woo will participate. Since both players are well aware of the opposing team's strength, a fierce strategic battle is expected to unfold on the field.
In particular, Sun Sung-kwon, a non-player-turned-player who has shown relentless effort, will end his playing career after this match. Fans' attention is focused on Sun Sung-kwon's retirement game, where he will play his final farewell match against his original team.
The showdown between Firebirds and Hwaseong Coreyo will take place at 2 p.m. on the 19th at Gocheok Sky Dome.
