Preview: Ansan Greeners Vs Suwon FC

Ansan Greeners face Suwon FC in a sixth versus seventh clash at the Wa Stadium on Monday evening. Only goal difference separates the two teams, who will both see this as a must-win fixture in order to kick-start a top four charge. The visitors have fared well against opposition in and around them of late, the home side on the other hand, are in desperate need of a positive result having lost their last five games on the trot without scoring a single goal. James Walsh previews #ANSvSUW.
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

Both Suwon and the Greeners were dumped out of the FA Cup at the fourth round stage on Wednesday night. Ansan went down to Asan by a single goal-to-nil, Mugunghwa defender, Lee Yong, struck an extra-time winner to send the Greeners out. Suwon performed valiantly against Ulsan Hyundai, but could not find a reply to the Horangi's full-back Kim In-Seong’s early second-half effort and were defeated by the same scoreline.

Previous Meetings

Suwon got the better of Ansan in their last meeting. Bae Ji-hoon first-half strike was enough to seal the three points for Kim Dae-eui's men at the Suwon Sports Complex in mid-May. The Greeners won the first game between the teams in early April, also by a single goal, which came courtesy of Greeners’ winger Choi Ho-joo’s tenth minute penalty.

Team News

The home side are expected to recall Liberian international striker, Seku Conneh, back into the starting line-up. Greeners’ midfield duo, Chang Hyuk-jin and Park Jin-Sub are also in line for a return to the matchday eleven, and it is anticipated that centre-back, Lee In-jae, and Club Captain, Park Jun-hui will come back into the fold too. As for City, new signing, Fernando Viana, may be handed his debut, the Brazilian forward recently joined Suwon from UAE Gulf League’s Al-Dhafra SCC. Compatriots, midfielder, Alex Lima, and forward, Alex Bruno, are also pushing for starting berths but influential centre back Adrian Leijer remains a doubt with a calf injury.

The Adversary

The away side went on a superb run following their 4-1 thrashing away at Bucheon at the beginning of June, picking up three successive victories against Anyang, Seoul E-Land, and Daejeon. They have, however, come unstuck in their past two matches which came against tough opposition, in the shape of automatic promotion-chasing Asan Mugunghwa and K1 giants Ulsan Hyundai. Despite this, Suwon will be hopeful of mounting a late promotion push starting with a win against the bereft hosts in Monday’s game.

Who To Watch

Hong Dong-hyeon (R) in action for Ansan Greeners vs Seongnam (Image via K League)

Ansan’s central midfielder, Hong Dong-hyeon, has played to a consistent high standard throughout the season. His performances have been appreciated by the purists amongst the home faithful, he has done the nitty-gritty extremely well in a ‘Claude Makélélé-esq’ holding role. Regarding the opposition, Suwon’s Brazilian attacker, Alex Bruno, is going to ask questions of the division’s best defenders this term. The former Gyeongnam forward is direct, skilful, and pacey, and represents City’s best chance of a goal.

Prediction

Both teams will fancy their chances in this game. Ansan and Suwon need the points to revive their playoff chase. The visitors go into the game as marginal favourites on account of their better recent form. The Greeners will be eager to end their dismal losing streak, and may be secretly content with a point from this one, which is perhaps why a goalless draw, with the home side parking the bus from the off, might be the most likely outcome.

Ansan Greeners 0-0 Suwon FC