Preview: Sangju Sangmu v Gangwon FC

After a dramatic comeback in an eight-goal thriller, the boys from Chuncheon will be looking to continue where they left off in midweek when they make the relatively long trip south to take on army side Sangju Sangmu. Sangju, though, are four games unbeaten and are back in their own trenches again after spending the first 10 rounds away from home . Steve Price reports.
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

Gangwon’s nil-nil draw against Pohang at the weekend didn’t mark the end of their defensive woes as they shipped three goals to Jeju United before half-time. All three came from Jeju striker Magno, whose first was probably goal of the week. He took down a long ball on his chest, beat the defender with a nice bit of skill, then slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Luckily Gangwon rediscovered their shooting boots and scored three goals of their own before half time, then scored twice in the second half to win 5-3 away. An attacking display that shows it is possible to play attractive football and score goals in the K League without a massive wage bill.

Sangju’s Shim Dong-woon is this week’s other goal-of-the-week contender. He scored a 40-yard volley in the twentieth minute of Sangju’s 1-1 draw with Jeonnam Dragons. That result means Sangju are now four games unbeaten in the league.

Previous Meetings

Gangwon ran out two-one winners last time these two sides met back in March. It was an action-packed game with both sides scoring from the spot and Sangju finishing the game with ten men. Diego got both of Gangwon’s goals in that match, but it was goalkeeper Lee Beom-young who was the star of the show, pulling off a great performance to give Gangwon the three points.

Team News

Gangwon goalkeeper Kim Ho-jun picked up a knock in the match against Jeju, which could mean that Lee Beom-young will get the nod to start in goal again. Gangwon claim that both goalkeepers are equal, but Lee slightly edges it based on his performances in the matches he’s played.

For Sangju, Shin Segye is back from suspension. The on-loan Suwon Bluewings midfielder picked up his third yellow of the season during the 0-0 draw away to Seoul and so sat out the home fixture with Jeonnam midweek.

Who To Watch

Serbian striker Uroš Đerić is taking to life in the K League quite well, certainly judging from how the 25-year-old has acquitted himself on the field. In addition, Gangwon's number 55 has three player-of-the-week awards to his name, three assists, and nine goals this season which have all came from open play. He is fast, good in the air, and presses opponents.

Đerić has nine goals and four assists for Gangwon so far in 2018. (Image via K League)

Prediction

Sangju have been defensively sound thus far in 2018 and have only conceded more than twice in one game, the 3-1 opening day defeat to Gyeongnam. Gangwon, though, with 20 goals to their name, are amongst the highest scorers in the league, only Jeonbuk have more.

Sangju Sangmu 0-0 Gangwon FC