Preview: Daejeon Citizen Vs Ansan Greeners

The Purples' penultimate fixture before the World Cup break sees Ko Jongsoo's men host Ansan Greeners on Wednesday evening. Both Daejeon Citizen and Ansan Greeners will be looking to bounce back from disappointing defeats last time out to ensure that the playoffs are still within sight when the season resumes in July. After winning three on the spin, Daejeon have now lost their last two whilst Ansan have just one win in six after such a promising start to the campaign. 
(image via K League)

Overview

via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Daejeon Citizen 1-2 Gwangju FC

It was somewhat of an eventful evening a Daejeon World Cup Stadium last Sunday when those in attendance witnessed a red card, a penalty save, three goals in the last five minutes as well as a controversial VAR decision when Citizen fell to a potentially damaging 2-1 defeat to Gwangju.

Goalkeeper Kim Jinyoung was taken off injured just before half time, Lim Minhyeok came on to deputise after former the Pohang Steelers tweaked his knee when coming to collect the ball. Then, with just four minutes of the second half played, the hosts were dealt a further blow when leading scorer Shohruh Gadoev was shown a straight red card for what was adjudged to have been a late challenge on Gwangju goalkeeper Yun Pyeonggook, whose amateur dramatics appeared to sell the foul to referee Kim Wooseong. After Aurelian Chițu's close-range shot was blocked and rolled free, Gadoev pounced up on the rebound but clashed with goalkeeper Yun when challenging for the ball. A scuffle ensued with the Gwangju players incensed at the Uzbek attacking midfielder's challenge.

In goal at the other end of the pitch, Daejeon's Lim Minhyeok's first major call into action came under rather bizarre circumstances when Gwangju were awarded a penalty. Gwangju striker Na Sangho went down in a heap after a stern challenge from Park Inhyeok whilst played carried on for several minutes. Meanwhile, at the other end of the field, the referee blew for a foul on a Gwangju defender before consulting VAR. Much to the confusion of the Purple Arena faithful, a penalty was awarded after replays showed that Na Sangho was brought down just inside the box. Na Sangho stepped up but his spot kick was saved by Lim Minhyeok, low down to the goalkeeper's left and so the score remained 0-0.

Despite playing with 10 men, Daejeon persevered and were the most enterprising side. Former Korea University winger and first year professional Kim Seungseop, on as a substitute after replacing Kang Yunsung, gave Citizen their just rewards by firing home from a tight angle with just four minutes remaining.

However, in the 91st and 94th minutes, Gwangju bagged a quick double to turn the game completely on its head and take all three points. The first goal came via a Lee Hando header from a corner, the second was worthy of winning any game of football. Na Sangho, who had missed the penalty for Gwangju, fired home a sweetly struck half volley with his right foot, finding the bottom corner of a helpless Lim Minhyeok who was rooted to the spot. Cue delerium amongst the Gwangju players, heartbreak for Daejeon.

Highlights: here

Ansan Greeners 0-2 Seoul E-Land

Ansan continued their inconsistent form on Sunday evening, going down 2-0 to Seoul E-Land at the Wa Stadium. Coming off the back of a win and a draw against the top two, Ansan seemed back on track to maintain a playoff challenge, however a performance lacking any urgency or cutting edge left the home crowd frustrated.


The Greeners packed the midfield and dominated possession throughout the game, however Liberian international Seku Conneh was left to lead the line and cut a frustrated figure as Ansan showed very little penetration. Once again, questions were asked of one of last season’s stand out performers, assist king Jang Hyeokjin as Seoul E-Land comfortably let Ansan play in front of them before waiting for their opportunity.

A ball into the box was brought down expertly by Bielkiewicz and fired into the Ansan goal for the opener before half time. Conneh was replaced by Raul Tarragona for his return from injury and looked to have levelled soon after coming on after a lovely triangle move in the E-Land box, but his finish was too casual and easily dealt with by the Seoul E-Land goalkeeper Kim Youngkwang. Ansan came on more but were hit by a predictable E-Land counter attack as the Jamsil side secured a 2-0 win with Cho Jaewan bagging E-Land's second on 89 minutes.
- Mike Brandon

Highlights: here

Previous Meetings

Daejeon Citizen and Ansan Greeners have met just five times, the most recent coming earlier this campaign when Ansan recorded a 3-2 home win. Daejeon actually found themselves ahead on two occasions up after Park Suchang's early spot kick and an own goal from Seku Conneh had restored Citizen's advantage after Lee Geon pegged the Purples back almost immediately after going behind. However, on 66 minutes, Park Junhee levelled for the Greeners before Jang Hyeokjin scored a 91st minute winner.

Daejeon are yet to beat the Greeners having lost three and drawn twice against the K League's newest club since their inception in 2017. At Purple Arena, the Green Wolves can boast of an unbeaten record thanks to one away win and one draw. The most recent meeting in Daejeon came in October last year when the two teams played out a 1-1 draw, Raul finding the net for Ansan, Kim Chanhee for Citizen. In June last year, Ansan ran out 2-1 winners with Raul and Park Hansu on target for Ansan, Levan notched a late consolation goal in time added on for Daejeon

Team News

Daejeon Citizen are likely to be without first choice goalkeeper Kim Jinyoung through injury. The 26-year-old custodian, who signed from Pohang over the winter, looks set to miss the last two games before the World Cup break after picking up a knee injury. Kim was seen limping out of Purple Arena with his leg heavily bandaged from the knee down and so Lim Minhyeok is set to deputise.

Midfield ace and leading scorer Shohruh Gadoev is suspended after being shown a straight red card in the defeat to Gwangju on Sunday as is towering centre back Yun Junseong will also miss out having picked up his third yellow of the campaign in the same game.

Ansan Greeners will be without Choi Hojoo through injury but Lee Geon is back from suspension and Raul Tarragona is also expected to feature having made his comeback from injury against Seoul E-Land at the weekend.

The Adversary

Ansan are something of a Jekyll and Hyde team this season, over performing in the early games before having a poor run of form. Two big results were once again met with this disappointing result. It may well be more of the same, as Raul needs more game time to return to fitness, and this seasons stand out performers, Lee Geon is available again but Choi Hojoo are sidelined.

- Mike Brandon

Prediction

Conceding two goals in added on time cannot have done much for morale and Daejeon will need to pick themselves up. However, the Purples are playing a side who are also in a bit of a sticky patch of form having lost to Seoul E-Land last time out and are just one win in six. Ko Jongsoo's men will be looking to get back to winning ways but may be a bit more cautious.

Daejeon Citizen 0-0 Ansan Greeners