Preview: Seoul E-Land Vs FC Anyang

I love football, and I will try to get to as many games as possible, come rain or shine. However, I was tested to my limits on Sunday, when Seoul E-Land took on Seongnam F.C. It was a bit of an understatement to say that the conditions were not the greatest, and a respectable 1-1 draw was the outcome for the two teams. Both goals came in the second half and was better than I expected for E-Land.

This week, we see F.C Anyang come to town, for a Saturday evening kick off. The two teams are only separated by one goal, dead last at the bottom of the table. This game could be pivotal for either team to get their first win of the season under their belts, and finally get their season up and running. .
(image via facebook.com/Seouleland)

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land continued their run of home games last Sunday, as they welcomed Seongnam to Jamsil. The game’s major talking points all happened in the first half. A hopeful shot from Cho Jae-wan lead to Seongnam’s keeper Kim Dong-jun to make a howler, letting the ball treacle into the net and giving Seoul the lead. Seongnam thought hard and pulled a goal back with practically the last kick play of the half. Yeon Je-Un making it level.

The second half went without many talking points, the rain was coming down hard and both teams were cautious in their approach. Seongnam’s keeper had to be substituted after being incurred in a collision in the 90th minute. Kim Dong-jun repeatedly left his box, attempting to launch the ball upfield, and picked up an injury for his troubles. Over all, it was a good performance from E-Land to prevent Seongnam from taking the game. Both defender Kim Tae-eun and midfielder Cho Jae-wan making it into K eague 2's, team of the week. Kim Tae-eun was exceptional from preventing any further Seongnam attacks, and Cho Jae-wan was very intelligent in taking a strike which lead to the goal, in the conditions they were playing in.

Anyang faired the same result on the weekend. Although, Anyang was in control all the way up until the 83rd minute, when they played Daejeon Citizen. Jung Hee-woong took the lead for Anyang in the 19th minute, before Park Su-chang made it level at the end. A big moment in the game came in the 42nd minute when Yoo Yeon-Seung was shown a second yellow card for Anyang and was sent off. The result leaves the two teams level on points, both failing to pick up a single win this year.

Previous Meetings

As seen in the previous two weeks, form from last year doesn’t mean anything, in light of the new season. So here is for any E-Land fan to hope, that the same principle arrives here. Over the last four meetings with the two sides, Anyang has won three and the 2nd out of the four, was a 2-2 draw. Its hard to say Seoul E-Land have a bogus team in the league, they just can not get a result against anyone, but for two teams who end in similar positions each year, they probably should have a better record against the side.

Anyang will be confident if they want to use the past as encouragement. Their wins were pretty emphatic, two wins by 2-0 and one by 3-0. Anyang denied Seoul a goal, three out of the four occasions, when the two teams clashed. Let's see if they can recreate the same when they play on Saturday evening. .

The Adversary

Just like Seoul E-Land, Anyang is also a relatively a new team, only forming in 2013. Anyang has also mirrored Seoul E-Land in their success, with their inguinal season being their best performance, as they just missed the play-off position in 5th. The next season saw the same fortune and ever since it has been a slow decline. Their worse performance came in 2016, where they finished off 9th out of 11 teams. Last season saw them finish 7th, and four points above E-Land in the league.

Anyang has also emulated the same performances as Seoul E-land in this season’s league. Three wins and three draws see the two teams level on points. Anyang has struggle, however, to find the net this year, scoring only three times so far. .

Prediction

With the two teams, only separated by the one goal, dead last of the bottom of the table, I will not be expecting a classic between the two sides. However, A win is a must for both teams, to really give their fans something to talk about. E-Land has had dwindling fans ever since their first home game of the season, and 3 points will be a big pick up for the side. Anyang however, has looked well in their draws and conceded late to deny them of victory, they too may feel that they are on the cuffs of their first win.

I hope to see a real battle between the two sides, when they meet on Saturday, belief is low in Jamsil, another season where it looks as if E-Land will be scrapping at the bottom of the table, but maybe, just maybe, they can pick up a win, and start off a delayed campaign.

Seoul E-Land 2-1 Anyang