​Against the Odds: Looking Back at Daejeon Citizen’s Historic AFC Champions League CampaignDaejeon Hana Citizen know which teams they’ll face upon their return to the AFC Champions League, but who did they face last time, and how did their maiden voyage into Asia pan out?Daejeon Hana Citizen have been drawn to play against Kyoto Sanga, Vissel Kobe, Beijing FC, and Kashima Antlers at home, as well as Shanghai Port, Kashiwa Reysol, Johor Darul Ta’zim and Gamba Osaka away in the 2026-2027 AFC Champions League Elite.Although this isn’t their first foray into continental football, it will be the Purples’ first time playing home and away in ACL proper.Daejeon are in the AFC Champions League for the first time since the 2002-2003 campaign, which was earned following their FA Cup win in 2001. A lot has changed since then, both at Purple Arena and on the continent.Daejeon Citizen have since added “Hana” to their name, of course, courtesy of the 2019 Hana Financial Group takeover, making no secret that the aim was always ACL qualification, as well as the expansion and format change of the AFC Champions League.The format of the competition has changed a lot since the 2002-2003 edition, which had just 16 teams, eight from the West and eight from the East. It was played in a hub throughout March of 2003 in Bangkok for the East and Al Ain for the West.QualifyingIt all got off to a very good start with big wins in qualification in November of 2002. Despite being a cup winner, Daejeon were required to go through two rounds of qualification to reach the group stage. The Purples entered in the third round, where they beat Monte Carlo of Macao 8-1 on aggregate over two legs, courtesy of a 5-1 away win – a match that saw goalkeeper Choi Eun-sung score and become the first goalkeeper to score in the ACL – then 3-0 at home to progress to the next phase. It was a tricky journey to Macau as Daejeon arrived a day before the match against Monte Carlo. Despite that, they scored four times inside the opening 20 minutes and eventually won 5-1.Citizen then beat Mohun Bagan of India by the same aggregate scoreline in the next phase – 6-0 at home, then 2-1 away. The India trip was even more ridiculous. Daejeon had to travel to Kolkata, changing planes twice. Kim Eun-jung and Lee Kwan-woo became seriously ill because they couldn’t adapt to the weather. Yet Daejeon still won 2–1, with goals from Lee Chang-yup and Kong Oh-kyun.Group StageFast forward to March 2003 and Daejeon were ready for the group stage, heading to the Thai capital, Bangkok. Shanghai Shenhua, BEC Tero Sasana, and Kashima Antlers were Daejeon’s opponents in Group A. All three matches would be played over five days in the Bangkok heat and humidity.Daejeon weren’t exactly flush with cash at the time, nor were they a team that had enjoyed much success – FA Cup win aside. In 2002, Daejeon had won only one of their first 27 league games, players were reportedly three months behind on wages, and there were ev