Daejeon Citizen Vs Incheon United Preview

Sunday see’s Daejeon welcome the visit of Incheon United, a side who are likewise struggling at the wrong end of the table. 

Incheon’s less than inspiring form from the tail end of last year as seemingly followed them into this campaign. 

Joao Paulo celebrates

"Kind River", as Incheon can be translated into English as, have perhaps been too charitable with their opponents having not won in the league since October last year, a spell spanning fifteen games. 

Kim Do-Hoon’s side are also without an away win since September of last year.

With Incheon’s current run of form and Daejeon’s recent upturn in fortunes it could be argued that the home side are the favourites. 

A win for Citizen would see them leap frog their opponents and off the foot of the table whilst Incheon will simply be looking to get their season up and running.

Head-to-Head

The corresponding fixture in 2013, the last time these two sides met, ended in a 1-0 victory for Incheon. Seol Ki-Hyun, the former Wolves, Reading and Fulham man, scored the only goal of the game after 18 minutes. 

Daejeon, though, recorded a famous victory in the return fixture. 

March 2013, Incheon United 1-2 Daejeon Citizen. Credit DCFC.co.kr

A 2-1 win back in March 2013 with goals from Lee Woong-Hee and Joao Paulo for Daejeon either side of an Ahn Jae-Jun strike for the home side.

Daejeon’s last win at home to Incheon was back in June 2010 when the Purples recorded a 3-2 win. 

Daejeon found themselves 1-0 up inside 11 minutes when Han Jae-Woong found the net before Ko Chang-Hyun netted the first of his brace just before the interval. 

Ko Chang-Hyun added his second on 70 minutes only for a late rally from the visitors to ensure of a nervy ending to proceedings.

Incheon had  Lee Jun-Young to thank with goals on 81 and 88 minutes respectively but, Daejeon were able to hold on and secure the win.

Team News

Daejeon will be without midfielder Hwang In-Beom after the midfielder picked up a red card during the midweek FA Cup win over Gwangju. 

Brazilian striker Ricardinho is a doubt for the Purples after limping out of the aforementioned FA Cup win. 

The Daejeon number 11 seemed to be complaining of a hamstring strain. Meanwhile, Wednesday night’s goal scorer Kim Young-Seung will be hoping he did enough to force his way into Coach Cho’s first eleven for the visit of Incheon.

Kevin Oris during his Daejeon days. Picture credit: footballkorea.com

Incheon will be relying on former Citizen Kevin Oris who made the move back to Korea in the winter having spent a year at Chinese outfit Liaoning Whowin.