Preview: Daejeon Citizen Vs Gyeongnam FC

Daejeon Citizen Vs Gyeongnam FC

Monday 1^st August 2016 Hyundai Oilbank K League Challenge 7:30 KST

Following on from Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat away to fellow playoff hopefuls Anyang, Daejeon have the chance to bounce back quickly with a home fixture against Gyeongsamnam-do outfit Gyeongnam.

A solemn Daejeon squad meekly thank the travelling fans follwing the defeat to Anyang. Credit: DCFC.co.kr 

Said defeat leaves Daejeon six points behind fourth-placed Bucheon and, having played a game more than their fellow 90’s founded Gyeonggi-do counterparts, it would take a Herculean effort to overcome such a gap.

And, with more than half the season already played, a reduced budget, the loss of two key players in Wanderson and Alvaro Silva, and no sign of any new additions to the playing staff, it could turn out to be a bumpy ride for the Daejeon faithful.

Monday’s game with  Gyeongnam will be a tough test as, although a place below Daejeon, Gyeongnam are on an incredible run of form having notched up five wins on the spin.

In truth, had it not have been for their points deduction, Gyeongnam would be fourth and firmly in the playoff mix.

Previous Meetings

When these two sides met in June this year it was raining goals down in Changwon, with eight goals equally shared equally between them.

Daejeon showed remarkable spirit that evening as, despite being 3-0 down with little over half an hour played, the Purples mounted an incredible comeback.

Lee Ho-Seok, Ahn Sung-Nam, and Cristian Danalache had the home side three goals to the good with strikes on 13, 20, and 27 minutes respectively.

However, just five minutes after Romanian Danalache had made it three, Daejeon mounted their comeback thanks to a Kim Sun-Min effort.

Jean Claude-Bozga netted his first goal in Daejeon colours on 39 minutes before Wanderson bagged a three-minute brace to turn the game completely on its head.

Daejeon miraculously found themselves in front but were unable to keep out Danalache who continued his goal-scoring form against Daejeon by levelling on 76 minutes.

Gyeongnam’ last visit to Daejeon in May saw the Purples pick up all three points, however.

Again, Wanderson found himself on the scoresheet, as did Cho Ye-Chan and Kim Dong-Chan inside an hour.

Who else other than Cristian Danalache for Gyeongnam who netted what proved to be a scant consolation striker on 68 minutes in a 3-1 win for Daejeon.

This campaign is the first time these two once Classic stalwarts had met in three years, due to Daejeon’s relegation in 2013 and indeed Gyeongnam’s in 2014.

During the 2013 season Daejeon suffered a heavy 6-0 reverse in Changwon and a 1-0 defeat at Purple Arena.

Two said defeats and two draws meant that May’s win over Gyeongnam was a long time coming.

Team News

Kim Tae-Bong is unlikely to feature having still not recovered from the foot injury that has kept him out of action for much of the season.

Young striker Han Eui-Gwon could come into the fold having replaced Kim Dong-Chan at Anyang on Wednesday.

Choi Moon-Sik may look to rotate his goalkeepers with Park Ju-Won waiting patiently for another chance to impress.