Preview: Hana Bank FA Cup Round of 8

This week the midweek action turns its attentions to the Hana Bank FA Cup where the final eight will battle it out for a place in the semi-finals. As well as an all-Classic tie between Ulsan Hyundai and Sangju Sangmu, Busan IPark will attempt to knock out another Classic side when Cho Jinho's men take on Jeonnam Dragons. Elsewhere, three-time FA Cup winners Seongnam FC host non-league Mokpo City in what should be an interesting spectacle at Tancheon Sports Complex. All this and more in your comprehensive guide to the last eight of the Korean FA Cup.



Jeonnam Dragons (Cl) Vs Busan IPark (Ch) 19:00

The evening's earlier kick off sees K League Classic side Jeonnam Dragons welcome Challenge promotion hopefuls Busan IPark to Dragon Dungeon. The Dragons made it to the round of eight, or quarter finals in old money, by beating Jeonju Citizen and Daejeon Citizen in the previous two rounds. The Gwangyang-based outfit have enjoyed some relative success in the FA Cup in recent seasons, reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and the quarters last year. Busan IPark beat last year's FA Cup runners up FC Seoul on penalties in the last round to set up Wednesday's tie, after wins over Gimpo Citizen and Pohang Steelers in rounds 4 and 5 respectively.

Prediction: Jeonnam Dragons 2-1 Busan IPark

Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Cl) Vs Gwangju FC (Cl) 19:30

Having just faced each other in the league at Guus Hiddink Stadium on Saturday, it's Suwon Samsung Bluewings' turn to play host when Gwangju FC head to Big Bird this Wednesday evening. Gwangju, who will be seen as the tie's underdogs, may just see Wednesday's trip north as a welcome distraction from their turbulent league campaign. Gwangju have spent the majority of the season flirting with the relegation places but the idea of reaching the semi-finals for the first time in their history might just be enough motivation Nam Ki-il's side need. To reach the quarters, Gwangju needed extra time against Yonsei University in round four with a 4-2 win before comfortably putting Challenge side Asan Mugunghwa to task at home 3-0 in the previous round. However, with Suwon, being the holders of the FA Cup, will be seen as the favourites to make it through to the semi finals. To make it this far, Suwon beat Incheon United 1-0 away in round four before a 2-0 away win to Jeju United in the last round.

Prediction: Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-0 Gwangju FC

Ulsan Hyundai (Cl) Vs Sangju Sangmu (Cl) 19:30

In another all-Classic clash, Ulsan Hyundai entertain Sangju Sangmu at the Munsu Stadium. Ulsan will be buoyed by their win over K League Classic leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the weekend that put them within just two points of top spot. The Horang-i made it to the quarter finals by beating K3 Advanced side Chuncheon in round four before a narrow 2-1 win over K League Challenge league leaders Gyeongnam FC in round five. Sangju, meanwhile, are on a dismal run of form in the league having lost their last five. Since their win over Bucheon 1995 in the last round of the cup, Sangju have won just twice and will therefore me seen as rank outsiders for this one.

Prediction: Ulsan Hyundai 3-0 Sangju Sangmu

Seongnam FC (Ch) Vs Mokpo City (NAL) 20:00

Arguably the standout game of the round is 2014 winners Seongnam FC vs National League side Mokpo City. Historically, Seongnam are one of the most decorated teams in K League history having have won the K League seven times and the FA Cup three. But, none of that will matter when the Magpies take the field come Wednesday night, certainly not to Wednesday's visitors Mokpo City. Mokpo will be seen as definite underdogs but with so much expectation being placed on the Magpies, Mokpo will perhaps feel as though they have absolutely nothing to lose. To make it to the quarter finals, Mokpo are yet to concede a goal having recorded a 2-0 win over Changwon City in round three, a 1-0 win over Yangpyeong in round four and a 1-0 win away to K3 Advanced side FC Pocheon in the last round. The win over FC Pocheon will be seen as Mokpo's standout result, especially since Pocheon had knocked out K League Challenge Seoul E-Land to set up the tie with Mokpo. For Wednesday's clash, Seongnam will have to do without the services of Croatian defender Marin Oršulić. The scorer of the winning goal against Gangwon FC in the last round has been ruled out for up to two months with a meniscus problem.

Prediction: Seongnam FC 2-0 Mokpo City

See also: Should foreign amateur teams be allowed to enter the Korean FA Cup? Read more here.