Cho Gue-sung Scores Season's First Goal in Conference League Playoff

South Korean national team striker Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland) has scored his first goal of the season in the Danish professional football league, leading his team to a comfortable victory.

Midtjylland secured a 2-0 shutout victory against Rijeka (Croatia) in the first leg of the 2026-2027 UEFA Conference League (UECL) playoff home match held today (the 21st, KST) at the MCH Arena in Herning, Denmark, propelled by Cho's opening and winning goal.

Having won the opening leg on a high note, Midtjylland has turned on the green light for advancing to the UECL main stage.

If they maintain their aggregate score advantage in the second leg away from home, they will secure a spot in the main tournament.

Starting as a right-sided forward in a two-man strike force alongside Franculino, Cho played his part actively on the pitch for about 74 minutes.

In particular, he netted the opening goal to seize the initiative just 20 minutes into the first half.

Cho lightly met a cross delivered from the right flank by Franculino with his head, shaking the opponent's net.

This is his first goal in 7 official matches this season.

Including last season, it is his first taste of a goal in about 5 months since the UEFA Europa League (UEL) Round of 16 first leg against Nottingham Forest (England) on March 13 (a 1-0 win).

Riding the momentum from Cho's opening goal, Midtjylland sealed the 2-0 victory with an additional goal by Sophus Johannesen 3 minutes into the second half.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.