Preview: Ansan Greeners Vs Asan Mugunghwa

Out of form Ansan Greeners host title chasing Asan Mugunghwa on Saturday evening with both sides needing a win to keep parity with their rivals. Asan make the short trip to Ansan on the back of  a run which saw the police team go five games unbeaten. A Greeners victory could result in the leapfrogging of Gwangju whilst a win for the visitors could see Asan go top should they better Seongnam's result. 
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

Both Ansan Greeners and Asan Mugunghwa suffered disappointing results in their previous outings. Ansan travelled to Anyang for the Line 4 Derby but put in a woeful performance with Kim Wonmin scoring the winner ten minutes from time to give the bottom of the table side a much-needed victory. Luckily for Ansan and Asan alike, 3rd and 4th placed Bucheon and Busan also failed to win and keeps Ansan within three points of the playoffs. Nevertheless, it was a doubly bitter defeat having lost a derby match as well as and failing to gain ground on the promotion spots.

Asan Mugunghwa's three game winning streak came to an end at Gwangju thanks to a late equaliser from Jung Yeongcheong. The police side were looking to maintain their place at the summit of the K2 but that late goal, coupled with a win for Seongnam, dropped them into second. Goals from Lee Myeongju and Kim Ryundo looked to have sealed the win for Mugunghwa but they will be keen to keep their knives sharp for the trip to their former home, the Wa Stadium.

Previous Meetings

Asan came out the victors when the two teams met in the spa city on the opening day of the season. Kim Muyeol score the only goal of the game and Han Jiwon's injury time red card ensured that the Greeners were left with an opening day suspension to go along with the defeat.

Team News

For Asan a couple of players have completed their military service and so have returned to their parent clubs. Lee Euddeum has returned to Gwangju whilst leading goalscorer Han Euikwon has returned to Daejeon Citizen midst rumours of a transfer to Suwon Bluewings. As has captain Lee Changyong, returning to Ulsan Hyundai, goalkeeper Park Hyunsun and forward Lee Jae-ahn who have both who has gone back to Suwon FC. Min Sangki has been appointed as the club's new skipper.

The Adversary

Asan will be keen to keep their title push going with a win at the Wa Stadium. Asan presently lie second in the table, one point behind leaders Seongnam, and eight ahead of fifth placed Ansan.

Prediction

Ansan need to bounce back and fast, and will be hoping that Raul Tarragona will be able to make the difference as he returns from his suspension. It was a closely matched affair back in March, but as always with the police side, once they click into gear, their team of mismatched stars can dominate the league and it looks like it may be happening again this season. With question marks over the goalkeepers position for Ansan after a series of key errors, Asan should beconfident of getting back to winning ways on Saturday.

Ansan Greeners 1-2 Asan Mugunghwa