Bucheon FC 1995’s latest signing, Portuguese forward Lupeta, scored his K League debut goal after four games.

Bucheon won 2-0 in the 26th round of the 2023 Hana OneQ K League 2 against Gyeongnam at Bucheon Sports Complex at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Bucheon, which hadn’t won in its last four matches, turned things around with its first win in five games.

Desperate for a win, head coach Lee Young-min included three players from the summer transfer window in the starting lineup. Kim Bo-yong started on the left wing, while Jung Hee-woong flanked him from the right wing-back position. Leading the front line was Lupeta.

Lupeta was an ambitious signing for Bucheon this summer, as the club was struggling with a lack of goals. He came up through the youth ranks of the prestigious Portuguese team FC Porto and has also played for the Portuguese age-group national team. His strong physique allows him to hold up well in front of the defense, and his goal-scoring ability is one of his strengths.

Lupeta, who suffered a minor injury against Cheongju in Chungbuk last month, quickly returned to action after shrugging off concerns. In this match, he got his first start in a Bucheon jersey. Bucheon took the lead in the 40th minute when Kim Bo-yong was awarded a penalty kick, and Lupeta stepped up to the plate and calmly converted. It wasn’t a field goal, but it stood out for the “boldness” of the kick, 꽁머니지급 which was aimed directly at the goalkeeper. It showed Lupeta’s confidence.

Coach Lee Young-min had previously expressed his expectations for Lupeta’s performance, saying, “I expect him to add to Bucheon’s offensive firepower in the second half.” Lupeta lived up to his expectations. He scored his debut goal in the K League after four games and gave Bucheon a cool goal. The joy of the victory was multiplied.