Preview: Daejeon Citizen Vs Seongnam FC
Daejeon Citizen welcome Seongnam FC to Purple Arena this Saturday in K League 2 round eight, looking to get back to winning ways following last weekend's defeat to Asan Mugunghwa. The Purples managed to stay unbeaten for two games but their mini revival was arrested by a Police side who took no prisoners. Seongnam, meanwhile, make the short trip south on the back of an impressive win over league leaders Bucheon 1995 and, as a result, sit in second place.
(iImage via K League.com
Daejeon Citizen will perhaps feel that justice wasn't served during their loss to Asan Mugunghwa, primarily because their play merited at least a draw but mainly because some, CEO Kim Ho in particular,who caused quite the ruckus in the referee room, felt the Purples ought to have been awarded a free kick in the build up to Asan's winner. However, as they say, possession is nine tenth of the law and visitors Asan were largely in control in that department; 44%/56% in the Police's favour.
Asan took the lead with a well-worked move, culminated by a tidy Kim Minkyun strike in the 22nd minute. Former Purple Kim Jonggook's cross was flicked on by Cho Seongjun whose header was laid into the path of the on loan Anyang forward by Lee Jae-ahn, wrong-footing Citizen custodian Kim Jinyoung in the process who was rooted to the spot.
Citizen did hit back, arresting Asan in their ascendancy, pulling a goal back through first-year professional Kim Seungseop. The winger, who signed from Korea University over the winter, broke free at the far post to nod home a Gadeov corner on 32 minutes to ensure that Daejeon went in at the break on level terms.
But, with just eight minutes to go, Asan found the winner. Cho Seongjun was perhaps lucky not to have conceded a free kick after it appeared as though the on loan Gwangju man had impeded Citizen's Kim Yeseong as the Purples full back steadied himself to clear. Undeterred, Cho played a wicked ball into the far post where Heo Beomsan, on as a substitute, found the back of the net with a well-placed header.
Highlights: here
Meanwhile, the Magpies got their claws on league leaders Bucheon 1995, ensuring that it was one for sorrow for Jung Gabsuk's men. Seongnam got off to the best possible start by betting their beaks in front inside four minutes after referee Lee Dongjun awarded the home side a spot kick. Seo Bomin put further daylight between the two sides with a 66th minute strike - the former Pohang Steelers midfielder's first of the campaign, before Brazilian defender Nilson pulled a goal back for Bucheon on 73 minutes.
Highlights: here
Although the Purples and the Magpies are yet to square off in the league this season, they have met in the FA Cup. A much-changed Citizen team performed admirably but, in the end, class prevailed and Seongnam booked their place in the fourth round thanks to a second half strike from former Pohang Steelers midfielder Muralha.
Last year, when Seongnam last made the trip to Purple Arena, the Magpies came away with all three points thanks to a 4-1 victory. Cho Jaecheol, Hlohovsky and Lee Hyeonil had the visitors 3-0 up before Jung Minwoo pulled a goal back for Citizen. Then, in the 94th minute Kim Dohyeon restored Seongnam's three goal cushion and rounded off a comprehensive win for promotion hopefuls.
For Seongnam, the Magpies were dealt a bitter blow when promising young goalkeeper Kim Dongjun was ruled out for upto six months with a knee injury. Kim Keunbae is likely to deputise. Nam Ki-il doesn't have any suspensions to concern himself with but midfielder Kim Jeonghyun and forward Jung Seongmin are both on two yellows meaning, if selected, one further caution would result in a one match ban.
Tactically, Coach Nam has not been afraid to shake things up when it comes to adopting a formation. For Seongnam's three league wins, the Magpies have lined up in a 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-3-3, against Bucheon at home, Asan at home, and Suwon away respectively. Away from home, Coach Nam has gone for a 4-2-3-1, the 1-1 draw with Seoul E-Land, and a 4-3-3 against Busan IPark on the opening day.
When these two sides met in the FA Cup a few weeks ago Seongnam set themselves up in a 3-5-2, relying heavily on width from the wing backs who were not afraid to get forward and beyond their opposite number.
Seongnam's squad will be regarded as one of the best in the league but one player who stands out in particular is Brazilian forward Eder. The former Jeonbuk Hyundai man made the move to Tancheon over the winter and looks a cut above in the K2. Eder is Seongnam's leading scorer with four goals, joint second in the league overall and his poise and guile on the wing in a black shirt is endearing him to the Tancheon faithful. However, the 31-year-old has been in and out of the side depending on which system Nam Ki-il has opted for. Nevertheless, even when coming off the bench, Eder has proven to be a difference maker as was the case in the 1-0 home win over Asan Mugunghwa, finding the back of the net with the game's only goal on 67 minutes after coming on as a substitute.
At the other end of the field, Seongnam have Marin Oršulić who has managed to fight his way back into the side. Given how Daejeon seem to like to play with a target man, any long balls up to Pedro or Daejeon's lone man will easily be dealt with by the towering Croatian centre back who is more than comfortable at this level of football.
Daejeon Citizen 1-3 Seongnam FC
(iImage via K League.com
Overview
From Soccerway |
Last Time Out
Daejeon Citizen will perhaps feel that justice wasn't served during their loss to Asan Mugunghwa, primarily because their play merited at least a draw but mainly because some, CEO Kim Ho in particular,who caused quite the ruckus in the referee room, felt the Purples ought to have been awarded a free kick in the build up to Asan's winner. However, as they say, possession is nine tenth of the law and visitors Asan were largely in control in that department; 44%/56% in the Police's favour.Asan took the lead with a well-worked move, culminated by a tidy Kim Minkyun strike in the 22nd minute. Former Purple Kim Jonggook's cross was flicked on by Cho Seongjun whose header was laid into the path of the on loan Anyang forward by Lee Jae-ahn, wrong-footing Citizen custodian Kim Jinyoung in the process who was rooted to the spot.
Citizen did hit back, arresting Asan in their ascendancy, pulling a goal back through first-year professional Kim Seungseop. The winger, who signed from Korea University over the winter, broke free at the far post to nod home a Gadeov corner on 32 minutes to ensure that Daejeon went in at the break on level terms.
But, with just eight minutes to go, Asan found the winner. Cho Seongjun was perhaps lucky not to have conceded a free kick after it appeared as though the on loan Gwangju man had impeded Citizen's Kim Yeseong as the Purples full back steadied himself to clear. Undeterred, Cho played a wicked ball into the far post where Heo Beomsan, on as a substitute, found the back of the net with a well-placed header.
Highlights: here
Meanwhile, the Magpies got their claws on league leaders Bucheon 1995, ensuring that it was one for sorrow for Jung Gabsuk's men. Seongnam got off to the best possible start by betting their beaks in front inside four minutes after referee Lee Dongjun awarded the home side a spot kick. Seo Bomin put further daylight between the two sides with a 66th minute strike - the former Pohang Steelers midfielder's first of the campaign, before Brazilian defender Nilson pulled a goal back for Bucheon on 73 minutes.
Highlights: here
Previous Meetings
Daejeon have not fared very well at all against their south Gyeonggi counterparts in recent years, in fact the last win the Purples recorded over Seongnam was back in November 2013. A 1-0 win at Purple Arena came thanks to a rather fortuitous goal from Hwang Jiwoong in the second half, with the ball cannoning off his back from a goalkeeper clearance, but nonetheless ensured that relegation-threatened Citizen took the three points.Although the Purples and the Magpies are yet to square off in the league this season, they have met in the FA Cup. A much-changed Citizen team performed admirably but, in the end, class prevailed and Seongnam booked their place in the fourth round thanks to a second half strike from former Pohang Steelers midfielder Muralha.
Last year, when Seongnam last made the trip to Purple Arena, the Magpies came away with all three points thanks to a 4-1 victory. Cho Jaecheol, Hlohovsky and Lee Hyeonil had the visitors 3-0 up before Jung Minwoo pulled a goal back for Citizen. Then, in the 94th minute Kim Dohyeon restored Seongnam's three goal cushion and rounded off a comprehensive win for promotion hopefuls.
Team News
Daejeon Citizen will be without striker Park Inhyeok after the former Hoffeinheim man picked up his third caution of the campaign during the defeat to Asan on Saturday. Instead, Pedro Henrique may get the nod to lead the line should Ko Jongsoo want a like-for-like replacement to spearhead his team's attack.For Seongnam, the Magpies were dealt a bitter blow when promising young goalkeeper Kim Dongjun was ruled out for upto six months with a knee injury. Kim Keunbae is likely to deputise. Nam Ki-il doesn't have any suspensions to concern himself with but midfielder Kim Jeonghyun and forward Jung Seongmin are both on two yellows meaning, if selected, one further caution would result in a one match ban.
The Adversary
As automatic promotion favourites, Seongnam failed to live up to their billing last year following their shocking relegation from K League 1. This season, however, Nam Ki-il's men have been in fine form, remaining unbeaten with three wins and four draws to their name, including a 4-1 demolition away to fellow promotion hopefuls Suwon FC.Tactically, Coach Nam has not been afraid to shake things up when it comes to adopting a formation. For Seongnam's three league wins, the Magpies have lined up in a 3-5-2, 4-3-3 and 4-3-3, against Bucheon at home, Asan at home, and Suwon away respectively. Away from home, Coach Nam has gone for a 4-2-3-1, the 1-1 draw with Seoul E-Land, and a 4-3-3 against Busan IPark on the opening day.
When these two sides met in the FA Cup a few weeks ago Seongnam set themselves up in a 3-5-2, relying heavily on width from the wing backs who were not afraid to get forward and beyond their opposite number.
Who To Watch
Young winger Kim Seungseop is in his first year as a professional but is beginning to settle in to K League football, taking it within his stride. Kim is an energetic winger who can play as an outside forward, possesses good technique and ample pace. The former Korea University winger's back post header also showed signs of a predatory instinct that Citizen will be hoping they can see more of in the not-too-distant future. Of late, "Kevin Kim' has been in and out of the Daejeon side as manager Ko Jongsoo looks to find the right combination with the huge squad that he has at his disposal. However, if selected, Daejeon's number 11 ought to be one to keep an eye on.Image via K League |
Image via Seongnam FC |
Prediction
After last week's disappointment, conceding late in the game to lose at home to Asan Mugunghwa, Daejeon are back to square one and are in need of a win. However, Seongnam have shown in flashes that they are the real deal this season - last week's displacement of league leaders Bucheon 1995 as well as the 4-1 drubbing of Suwon FC for example. As a result, Seongnam will head to Purple Arena full of confidence and with the knowledge that Citizen are still rather fragile.Daejeon Citizen 1-3 Seongnam FC
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