AFC Preview: Kashima Antlers vs. FC Seoul

Seoul travel to Japan today to play the Kashima Antlers.  This match is huge for both teams since a win for either would allow them to qualify for the AFC knockout rounds.  Likewise, Western Sydney is only a point behind both, so the emphasis on both teams to win is even greater.

Looking at the table, Guangzhou Evergrande currently sit at the top with ten points.  They are through to the second round no matter what.  Western Sydney, who sit at the bottom with five points, travel there to play tonight and it is hard to say which way the game will go.  However, I am betting that Western Sydney win 1-0 as Guangzhou will most likely rest their top players.  Therefore, if Western Sydney win, that puts them at 8 points.

In second place is Seoul, with six points, and in third place is Kashima Antler, with six points.  However, Seoul have a better goal differential than Kashima.  When Kashima visited in April, they lost 1-0.  However, they have won their last two AFC games and have scored four times as many goals as Seoul.

That being said, I am going to be optimistic and predict that FC Seoul win 1-0.  Seoul's league form, especially their defense, has been shit this year.  However, they kept three clean sheets and I believe that the coach Choi Soo Yong will rally the troops and some how squeeze out a result.

So yeah, FC Seoul wins 1-0 and trumps Western Sydney Wanders to make it to the knockout stages.