Preview: K League Challenge Round 16

It's another all-Challenge weekend in the K League with the Classic teams not due back due to the international break. But, that doesn't mean there is any shortage of intrigue as the Korean second tier is heating up heading into the league's half way point at the end of the month. Second-placed Busan IPark came back from a goal down to see off Daejeon Citizen last week with Go Kyungmin (above)  equalising to get their comeback up and running. This week, Busan face a tougher test in FC Anyang; can Cho Jinho's men keep the pressure on Gyeongnam? All this and more below in your comprehensive K League Challenge round 16 guide.

Image courtesy of International Newspaper 


Saturday 10th June

Busan IPark Vs FC Anyang

Following Busan's dramatic comeback win against strugglers Daejeon on Monday, Cho Jinho's men host fourth-placed FC Anyang. Anyang have propelled themselves into the playoff places, despite last week's stalemate with Suwon, coupled with a run of just one defeat in six matches, Kim Jongpil's men are still occupying fourth place. Our columnist Jae-hyuk Lee previews this one here.

Prediction: Busan IPark 2-1 FC Anyang

Bucheon 1995 Vs Seoul E-Land

Neither Bucheon nor E-Land have been in great form in recent weeks; Bucheon have lost four in a row and have just one win in six, whilst E-Land have two wins, a draw and three defeats from as many games. But, despite Bucheon's poor run, they are still just one point behind fourth-placed Anyang meaning that, depending on what happens at the Gudeok for Busan vs Anyang, Bucheon could find themselves back in the top four come Saturday evening. E-Land have just three wins all season but two of those were on the road.

Prediction: Bucheon 1995 1-0 Seoul E-Land

Sunday 11th June

Ansan Greeners Vs Gyeongnam FC

At the Wa~ Stadium come Sunday afternoon it will be a take of contrasting fortunes as the homeside Ansan Greeners, in their debut season, are currently second bottom of the K League Challenge after a spell of just two wins in their last 12 games, and just three all season. Gyeongnam FC on the other hand are eight points clear at the top of the league and, barring some sort of spectacular collapse, will be playing K League Classic football next term. Gyeongnam are unbeaten and have five away wins already in 2017.

Prediction: Ansan Greeners 0-3 Gyeongnam FC

Monday 12th June

Daejeon Citizen Vs Suwon FC

Following Saturday's 0-0 draw with FC Anyang, Suwon FC are still in that "rut" that Australian striker Bruce Djite talked about in our exclusive interview; without a win in six games. However, Daejeon are in an even deeper rut with just one win all season, rooted to the foot of the table and host Suwon on the back of seven straight defeats, the most recent being late loss to promotion-hunting Busan IPark. Manager Lee Youngik said inn the wake of the dramatic late defeat to Busan last Monday that the team had prepared well and implemented such preparations in the game, the result was therefore hard to take.

Our columnist Paul Neat previews this one here.