Preview: Daejeon Citizen Vs Gyeongnam

Following a defeat to Anyang on Wednesday, Daejeon Citizen slumped to their third straight defeat, conceding late once again to leave the Purples with just one win all season and well and truly cut adrift from the playoff hunt. This Sunday sees Citizen take on Gyeongnam FC, with manager Lee Youngik's having the unenviable task of stopping the the league leaders. Levan Shengelia (pictured above), who will be looked upon as someone to help Daejeon get themselves back to winning ways, scored his first goal in Daejeon colours in Wednesday's defeat to Anyang.

Stats from Soccerway.com

 Last Time Out

On Wednesday Daejeon lost to 3-2 to FC Anyang to render themselves second from bottom of the K League Challenge League table.

The Purples actually took the lead when, on 21 minutes, Cristian Danalanche converted a penalty after Shin Hakyoung was kicked in the head inside the penalty area.

Not for the first time this season Danalache coolly converted but his, and indeed Daejeon's celebrations, turned to commiserations when the Purples found themselves trailing at half time.

In a frantic last five minutes of the first period, Anyang number 7 Kim Minkyun bagged a brace to turn the game on its head completely on its head.

After the restart Georgian winger Levan equalised for Daejeon with what was his first goal since joining on loan from AFC Tubize in the winter, but even his superb curling effort from the edge of the box wasn't enough to inspire Daejeon to victory.

Inevitably, Daejeon conceded a late winner with Kim Minkyun completing his hat-trick in what was his last game before departing for military service.

Gyeongnam, on the other hand, are four points clear of the K League Challenge table thanks to yet another impressive win, this time against fellow automatic promotion favourites Busan IPark.

The Changwon-based outfit saw off the challenge of Cho Jinho's men in a narrow 1-0 win at home thanks to a Bae Kiyong strike on 33 minutes.

Previous Meetings

Daejeon made the long trip south to Changwon in late March where, despite taking the lead late with merely ten minutes remaining, Citizen crashed to a late defeat.

Former Gyeongnam man Cristian Danalache, on his first visit back Changwon since his transfer to Daejeon in the winter, put the visitors ahead on 80 minutes with a goal that was somewhat against the run of play.

The goal sparked a frantic last 10 minutes during which Gyeongnam came back from the dead to win the game, initially thanks to Marcao who, in the 81st minute, immediately pegged Daejeon back with the equaliser.

Three minutes later Kim Doyeop, on as a substitute midway through the second half, sealed the win with his first goal of the season.

Last season, for Daejeon's most recent home clash with Gyeongnam resulted in a 3-1 win for Citizen thanks to goals from forward trio Jin Daesung, Gustavo, and Kim Dongchan.

Current Citizen striker Cristian Danalache bagged a late consolation goal in injury time for Gyeongnam to narrow the deficit to two goals

Overall, out of the 27 matches played between Daejeon Citizen and Gyeongnam FC, Gyeongnam have the edge in terms of wins with 11 compared to Daejeon's six and 11 stalemates.

Team News

Daejeon will have full back Park Jaewoo back in contention after missing Wednesday's loss to Anyang through suspension.

Former Seoul E-Land defender Kim Taeeun will miss out, however after picking up his third yellow card during the aforementioned defeat to Anyang.

For Gyeongnam, Marcao is expected to return to the starting eleven after being amongst the substitutes against Busan on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Lee Beomsoo is expected to start in goal against his old club having spent a year at Purple Arena as number two to Park Juwon.

Prediction

Anything beyond a comfortable Gyeongnam win would be greatly unexpected. With Gyeongnam flying high, one would expect a 2-0, or 3-0 win for the league leaders.