Preview: K League 2 Round 19
K League 2 has picked up where it left off before the World Cup break with plenty of jostling in the race for automatic promotion as well as the playoffs. Five more games spread across three days beckons this weekend with round 19 of the K2 season. Third play fourth when Busan IPark host Bucheon 1995 on Saturday, Suwon FC take on Gwangju and FC Anyang head to Tancheon on Monday night looking to make it three on the spin when they take on second place Seongnam FC. All that and more in your comprehensive guide to K League 2 Round 19.
(image via K League)
It's third hosting fourth this Saturday when Busan IPark welcome Bucheon 1995 to the Gudeok Stadium. Just a point separates these two teams, partially down to the fact that neither side can boast of more than one victory each in their last five. However, whilst automatic promotion looks unlikely at this point, a win for either team would do them no harm. Busan could hand home debuts to Arsenio Valpoort and Sherijl MacDonald, both of whom signed from Dutch Jupiler League side Almere City. Valpoort started in the away draw with Gwangju on Monday but MacDonald is yet to make his Busan bow. The visitors, meanwhile, have lost their last three on the spin and could be in danger of slipping out of the top four if they fail to get anything from their first away fixture since April.
Full preview from Busan IPark Columnist Tom Marcantonio: here
#ASAvDCFC: Asan Mugunghwa (1st) Vs Daejeon Citizen (8th) 19:00 KST
Daejeon Citizen's run of four games unbeaten came to an abrupt end on Monday night thanks to a 2-0 defeat at home to a resurgent Suwon FC. The result meant that Citizen dropped to eighth but can take solace in knowing that the playoff places are just five points away. Up next for Ko Jongsoo's men is a tricky away trip to Yushunsin Stadium to take on Asan Mugunghwa. Asan are unbeaten in six and sit at the summit of K League 2. Asan's last home defeat, however, was when these two sides last met in April, a 1-0 Daejeon win with Ahn Sanghyeon converting from close range.
Full preview from Daejeon Columnist Paul Neat: here
Suwon FC are steadily beginning to lift themselves up the table after three wins on the spin. Two 1-0 victories either side of the World Cup break were followed up by the 2-0 away win over Daejeon on Monday. Such form has meant that Kim Daeui's side are now up to seventh and are just four points off the playoffs and two behind Sunday's opponents Gwangju. Gwangju also played on Monday night, coming back from a goal down to earn a draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Busan IPark. The South Jeolla are just a point behind an out-of-form Bucheon and will know that a victory at Castle Park could see them jump into fourth. Suwon are likely to be without Australian centre back Adrian Leijer and so the likes of Cho Byungkuk, a recent signing from Gyeongnam, and will have to try and tame K2's leading scorer Na Sangho.
Prediction: Suwon FC 1-2 Gwangju FC
Three consecutive defeats and one draw, as well as FC Anyang's recent resurgence, has seen Seoul E-drop to the foot of the table. With only one goal scored in those four games its no surprise to see the Jamsil-based club propping up the second tier. On Monday night E-Land host Ansan Greeners, another team who are struggling for form. The Greeners are just one win in five and make the short trip to the capital after two defeats on the spin. Needless to say, both Seoul E-Land and Ansan Greeners are in need of a win. Ansan still harbour hopes of a playoff spot and so a victory could be enough to see them jump up a place should Suwon FC pick up a win against Gwangju on Sunday. E-Land, meanwhile, are level on points with Anyang and will know that a point could be enough to see them clamber their way off the bottom should Seongnam do them a favour.
Seoul E-Land columnist Michael Redmond's preview to follow: here
#SFCvANY Seongnam FC (2nd) Vs FC Anyang (9th) 20:00 KST
After a run of four wins from seven and just one defeat FC Anyang have dragged themselves off of the foot of the table and are now within just four points of the playoff-chasing pack. Up next, however, will be their sternest test yet, an away trip to Tancheon to take on Seongnam FC. The Magpies suffered a bit of a blip prior to the World Cup break, winning just once from the last five matches. However, since the restart, Nam Ki-il's men are unbeaten thanks to a win away to Bucheon 1995 and a 1-1 draw with Seoul E-Land. Seongnam left it late to pick up the three points when these two sides last met, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to win 3-2 and, given both teams' recent form, another entertaining game could well be on the cards.
Prediction: Seongnam FC 2-1 FC Anyang
(image via K League)
Saturday 14th July
#BUSvBUC: Busan IPark (3rd) Vs Bucheon 1995 (4th) 19:00 KSTIt's third hosting fourth this Saturday when Busan IPark welcome Bucheon 1995 to the Gudeok Stadium. Just a point separates these two teams, partially down to the fact that neither side can boast of more than one victory each in their last five. However, whilst automatic promotion looks unlikely at this point, a win for either team would do them no harm. Busan could hand home debuts to Arsenio Valpoort and Sherijl MacDonald, both of whom signed from Dutch Jupiler League side Almere City. Valpoort started in the away draw with Gwangju on Monday but MacDonald is yet to make his Busan bow. The visitors, meanwhile, have lost their last three on the spin and could be in danger of slipping out of the top four if they fail to get anything from their first away fixture since April.
Full preview from Busan IPark Columnist Tom Marcantonio: here
#ASAvDCFC: Asan Mugunghwa (1st) Vs Daejeon Citizen (8th) 19:00 KST
Daejeon Citizen's run of four games unbeaten came to an abrupt end on Monday night thanks to a 2-0 defeat at home to a resurgent Suwon FC. The result meant that Citizen dropped to eighth but can take solace in knowing that the playoff places are just five points away. Up next for Ko Jongsoo's men is a tricky away trip to Yushunsin Stadium to take on Asan Mugunghwa. Asan are unbeaten in six and sit at the summit of K League 2. Asan's last home defeat, however, was when these two sides last met in April, a 1-0 Daejeon win with Ahn Sanghyeon converting from close range.
Full preview from Daejeon Columnist Paul Neat: here
Sunday 15th July
#SUWvGWA: Suwon FC (7th) Vs Gwangju FC (5th) 18:00 KSTSuwon FC are steadily beginning to lift themselves up the table after three wins on the spin. Two 1-0 victories either side of the World Cup break were followed up by the 2-0 away win over Daejeon on Monday. Such form has meant that Kim Daeui's side are now up to seventh and are just four points off the playoffs and two behind Sunday's opponents Gwangju. Gwangju also played on Monday night, coming back from a goal down to earn a draw against fellow promotion hopefuls Busan IPark. The South Jeolla are just a point behind an out-of-form Bucheon and will know that a victory at Castle Park could see them jump into fourth. Suwon are likely to be without Australian centre back Adrian Leijer and so the likes of Cho Byungkuk, a recent signing from Gyeongnam, and will have to try and tame K2's leading scorer Na Sangho.
Prediction: Suwon FC 1-2 Gwangju FC
Monday 16th July
#ELANDvANS: Seoul E-Land (10th) Vs Ansan Greeners (6th) 20:00 KSTThree consecutive defeats and one draw, as well as FC Anyang's recent resurgence, has seen Seoul E-drop to the foot of the table. With only one goal scored in those four games its no surprise to see the Jamsil-based club propping up the second tier. On Monday night E-Land host Ansan Greeners, another team who are struggling for form. The Greeners are just one win in five and make the short trip to the capital after two defeats on the spin. Needless to say, both Seoul E-Land and Ansan Greeners are in need of a win. Ansan still harbour hopes of a playoff spot and so a victory could be enough to see them jump up a place should Suwon FC pick up a win against Gwangju on Sunday. E-Land, meanwhile, are level on points with Anyang and will know that a point could be enough to see them clamber their way off the bottom should Seongnam do them a favour.
Seoul E-Land columnist Michael Redmond's preview to follow: here
#SFCvANY Seongnam FC (2nd) Vs FC Anyang (9th) 20:00 KST
After a run of four wins from seven and just one defeat FC Anyang have dragged themselves off of the foot of the table and are now within just four points of the playoff-chasing pack. Up next, however, will be their sternest test yet, an away trip to Tancheon to take on Seongnam FC. The Magpies suffered a bit of a blip prior to the World Cup break, winning just once from the last five matches. However, since the restart, Nam Ki-il's men are unbeaten thanks to a win away to Bucheon 1995 and a 1-1 draw with Seoul E-Land. Seongnam left it late to pick up the three points when these two sides last met, scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to win 3-2 and, given both teams' recent form, another entertaining game could well be on the cards.
Prediction: Seongnam FC 2-1 FC Anyang
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