Preview: Daejeon Citizen Vs Gyeongnam FC

Daejeon Citizen Vs Gyeongnam FC

Saturday 14th May 2016 Hyundai Oilbank K League Challenge Round 10 Kick Off 2:00 KST

Kim Dong-Chan puts Daejeon ahead vs Anyang. Photo by Kyle Gobler

Daejeon's short-lived winning streak came to an end last Thursday when the Purples drew 2-2 with Anyang in what proved to be an enthralling encounter. 

Daejeon controlled the first period and twice went ahead but the second half was a different story.

Citizen could not cope with Anyang's second half pressure and thus were unable to keep the home side at bay.

Hwang In-Beom scored his first goal of the season with a spectacular solo effort after Kim Dong-Chan had maintained his goal scoring run with an early spot kick.

Said draw proceeded a 1-0 home defeat to Gangwon just three days later in a game which Daejeon nullified high-flying Gangwon for much of the game but as fitness faded so did concentration.

A brief lapse in defensive concentration meant that Choi Jin-Ho was free to fire past the helpless Park Ju-Won and see Gangwon leave with the lion's share of the spoils.

When it seemed as though all the optimism and belief that Daejeon's mini revival had instilled was all but gone, the Purples went and displaced Suwon City in the FA Cup to help restore some optimism once again.

Daejeon have shown great resolve in recent weeks, even when things have not gone completely their way, the comeback against Suwon City is testament to that notion.

Again though, a lapse in concentration gifted Suwon a late lead but Daejeon kept going and in doing so managed to equalise with just a few minutes remaining.

Daejeon's sheer persistence and belief saw them win a penalty, which was duly tucked away by Brazilian utility man Wanderson.

After extra time Daejeon triumphed 3-1 on penalties partly thanks to some goalkeeping heroics from Park Ju-Won.

Up next for Daejeon is the visit of the league's bottom side Gyeongnam FC.

There is an old adage in football that the league table doesn't lie but in the case of Gyeongnam FC and the 2016 K League Challenge table, that isn't strictly true.

Gyeongnam were deducted 10 points due to financial irregularities relating to bribery and match fixing, thus their position in the table is somewhat false.

Gyeongnam's two wins and two draws would have had them on 10 points and in 6th place and, thus, Daejeon shouldn't expect a home win to be a foregone conclusion.

Having said that, Gyeongnam make the long trip to Daejeon on the back of three straight league defeats, and are yet to win away from home yet this term.

The most recent of the aforementioned two Gyeongnam victories was exactly a month ago.

A win for Daejeon would put the pressure on fellow playoff chasers Busan and Anyang and, should results go their way, the Purples could leapfrog Anyang and possibly Busan.

Form Last 6 In All Competitions

Daejeon Citizen: WWWDLD
Gyeongnam FC: WDLLLL

Previous Meetings

Daejeon's record against their Gyeongsamnam-do counterparts has been somewhat poor in recent years.

In fact, Daejeon have failed to beat Gyeongnam in their last four outings, which includes a 6-0 humiliation back in June 2013.

The very last meeting between Daejeon and Gyeongnam ended in a 1-1 draw in Gyeongnam.

Han Kyung-In put Daejeon ahead on 77 minutes only for Kang Jong-Kuk to equalise five minutes later.

Incidentally, it is the most recent meeting between these two sides that attributed to Gyeongnam's points deduction.

It was adjudged to have been the subject of bribery along with several other games during the 2013 season that involved Gyeongnam FC.

Daejeon have just one win over Gyeongnam in their last 12 outings, said victory dates back to the 20th March 2013.

On that spring afternoon Wagner and Hwang Jae-Hoon were on target in a 2-0 Daejeon victory.

Team News

Kim Dong-Chan is a doubt as too is Jin Dae-Sung who both continue their recoveries from respective foot injuries.

Wanderson is expected to keep his place after netting the equaliser against Suwon City on Wednesday in the FA Cup.

Despite Kim Byung-Suk's red card in the aforementioned FA Cup the Daejeon skipper is expected to play before his suspension begins.