K-League Challenge Play-Off Final Preview - Daegu vs Suwon

On Wednesday night Suwon booked their place in the final match of the Challenge Playoffs thanks to  3-3 draw with Seoul E-Land and the slightly odd rules which mean that the result was enough for the home team to progress. It was a pretty harsh way for E-Land to end the season but if that previous match is anything to go by then at least the rules are encouraging teams to have a real go at winning the game which means some open and entertaining football for supporters.

The same rules apply on Saturday when Suwon travel to Daegu so this time its Suwon that will have to win the match in 90 minutes. Any other result would mean that its Daegu that will go into the promotion/relegation two-legger with Busan I'Park next week.

This is another one that should be pretty tight on the day. Both sides have been in pretty good form in the second half of the season and it could go either way. No doubt Suwon will be on a high following Wednesday's result and will go into the game brimming with confidence. Daegu, for their part, might have lingering doubts about the way they let the title slip out of their grasp right at the death but will have the benefit of fresher legs having had a free week to recover.

Suwon have the slight upper hand in the four fixtures played this season and will take heart from the fact that they have won on both visits to the Daegu World Cup Stadium this year (winning 4-1 and 2-1). The games at Suwon ended in a 2-2 draw and, most recently, a 2-0 win for Daegu.

As always the key men for Daegu will be their Brazilian contingent of Eder, Serginho, Leo and Johnathan. The latter of these it was reported this week has earned himself a big-money move to Qatar thanks to his 26 goals over the course of the year. Veteran frontman Noh Byung-jun might also have something to add to proceedings if his 36-year-old legs can still carry him this late into the season.

For Suwon, it'll be that man Japa who will be the one to watch. It was the Brazilian who opened the scoring for Suwon on Wednesday night and he'll be expected to provide Suwon's main threat up front.

Looking at the two squads, and with the home advantage in favour of Daegu, everything here looks to be set for a home win however, for some reason I just have a sneaky feeling that Suwon are going to edge this one and set themselves up for a humdinger of a battle with Busan over 180 minutes. Judging by how well my sneaky feelings have worked out this season I'd bet the mortgage on Daegu then!