Preview: Korean FA Cup 4th Round
(image via K League)
17:00
Busan Transportation Corporation (NL) Vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (K1)- Gudeok Stadium, Busan
The evening's early kick off sees National League strugglers Busan Transportation Corporation host Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the first of two games to take place at the Gudeok Stadium in Busan. Jeonbuk crashed out of the competition at this stage in 2017 and 2016, losing to Bucheon 1995 on both occasions. The Green Warriors haven't won the FA Cup since 2005 but finished as runners up in 2013 and 2012. Busan Transport, meanwhile, thrashed K3 side Chungju Citizen 4-0 in the previous round but have only ever beaten K League opposition once, famously overturning local rivals Gyeongnam FC in 2011. Transport lost to local rivals Busan IPark and Seongnam at this stage in 2016 and 2015 respectively. The winners will play either Ansan Greeners of Asan Mugunghwa away.
Writers' Chat Preview: here
19:00
Gangeung City (NL) Vs Cheonan City (NL)- Gangneung Civic Stadium
An all-National League tie in Gangwon Province will see Cheonan City make the long trip east from South Chungcheong to the seaside down of Gangneung. The hosts sit in sixth in the National League and have won just three times all season but their last win was against Cheonan. Cheonan, meanwhile, sit in third and are unbeaten in three heading into Wednesday's cup tie. Whilst Gangneung beat Pukyeong University after extra time in the previous round, Cheonan eased past Jeonju University at home in a 3-2 win. These two sides have met in the FA Cup once before, a 2-1 Gangneung away win in the April 2010. Whichever team emerges as the winner has a home tie with either Suwon Bluewings or Gimpo Citizen to look forward to.
Prediction: Gangneung City 0-1 Cheonan City
Gyeongnam FC (K1) Vs FC Seoul (K1)
- Changwon Football Center (Naver)
After a disappointing result on Sunday, FC Seoul will look to bounce back by booking their place in the next round of the cup. But, what lies between Lee Eulyong's and a potential home tie with either Jeju United or Korea University is a tricky trip to Changwon to take on an in-form Gyeongnam FC. Gyeongnam have surpassed many people's expectations this season by sitting in second place in the K1 and have proven to be very strong, particularly at home. In front of their own supporters, Gyeongnam have lost just twice this term and will feel as though a win over FC Seoul is more than within their capabilities. For FC Seoul it could be a route into the AFC Champions League, for Gyeongnam it may be seen as a distraction as the Reds look to qualify through league standings.
Preview: here
Ansan Greeners (K2) Vs Asan Mugunghwa (K2)
- Ansan Wa Stadium
Ansan Greeners welcome fellow outfit K2 Asan Mugungwha to the Wa Stadium on the back of four straight league defeats. The police, on the other hand, are on a run of eight games unbeaten with four wins and four draws. These two sides met just a few weeks ago with Asan emerging as victors in a 2-0 win. Since the club was founded in 2016, Ansan have only played two previous FA Cup matches - the 7-0 win over Suwon University in the previous round, and a penalty shootout defeat to Gangneung in the third round last year. Asan lost to Gwangju in the fifth round last year but thrashed Yeosu Sejong 7-0 in round three to make it this far. A home tie with either Busan Transportation Corporation or Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors awaits the victors.
Preview: here
FC Anyang (K2) Vs Mokpo City (NL)
- Anyang Civic Stadium
FC Anyang's win over Seoul E-Land at the weekend moved the Violets back off the bottom of the K2 and so will be feeling confident heading into Wednesday's tie with National League side Mokpo City. Ko Jeongwoon's side beat another National League side in Changwon City in round three and will be looking to make it into the fifth round for the first time in the club's history. In 2017 Anyang lost to FC Seoul in the fourth round but Wednesday's opponents Mokpo went on an incredible run and made it all the way to the semi-finals, comfortably dispatching Seongnam by three-goals-to-nil along the way, before losing to eventual winners Ulsan Hyundai by the narrowest of margins. To make it this far Mokpo displaced Jungang Chorus Mustang in round three and will feel that a win against the Violets is perfectly within their grasp. However, Mokpo are without a win in four in the league and sit in fifth, 18 points behind league leaders Gyeongju KHNP. An away tie with Incheon United or FC Pocheon will be the reward for the winners.
Prediction: FC Anyang 1-0 Mokpo City
Chuncheon City (K3A) Vs Daejeon Korail (NL)
- Chuncheon Songam Stadium
K3 Advanced side Chuncheon City, from the fourth tier, will host Daejeon Korail from the National League at Songam Stadium. Chuncheon sit third in the K3 Advanced and have just one defeat in eight. To make it to the fourth round Chuncheon beat Yangju Citizen 2-0 in round two before edging past Jeonju City by three-goals-to-two in the previous round. Daejeon Korail can boast of a K League scalp after knocking out K2 side Gwangju in the previous round, winning 3-1 at the Hanbat Stadium in Daejeon. Korail head to Gangwon province on the back of two straight league wins after going four without victory. Chuncheon lost to Ulsan Hyundai in the fifth round last year, the furthest the amateur side have been in the competition. Daejeon Korail made it to the fifth round in 2015 before losing to Jeju United. A win for either team would put them into the fifth round for only the second time with an away trip to either Pohang or Jeonnam to contend with.
Prediction: Chuncheon City 0-2 Daejeon Korail
19:30
Gimhae FC (NL) Vs Gangwon FC (K1)- Gimhae Civic Stadium
One of the more intriguing ties of the fourth round sees National League outfit Gimhae FC host Gangwon FC of K League 1. Gimhae are second in the National League and sit just two points behind league leaders Gyeongju KHNP after a run of five wins from their last six matches. The south coast side beat Cheongju City on penalties following a 0-0 draw in round three heading into Wednesday's tie. Gangwon, though, are unbeaten in five but have just one win having drawn four before the 3-1 win over Jeju United at the weekend. Gangwon have never won the FA Cup and have only made it to the quarter finals twice in their relatively short history, in 2011 and 2014. Last season Gangwon lost at home to Seongnam in the fifth round after easing past Daejeon Korail in a narrow 1-0 win. Wednesday's hosts have only won three FA Cup ties in the last five years and have lost to K League sides on eight separate occasions. A home clash with either Gyeongju HNP or Seongnam FC will await the victors.
Writers' Chat Preview: here
Daegu FC (K1) Vs Yongin University (UL)
- Daegu Stadium
Relegation-threatened Daegu FC will have the chance to get back to winning ways this Wednesday when Yongin University make the long trip from Gyeonggi to North Gyeongsang. Yongin University are one of only two university teams left in the competition and, with Daegu's form and focus on the league, will feel as though a cupset is not wholly out of the question. Yongin entered the competition in the first round and have scored eighteen goals in three games on the way to Wednesday's fourth round clash. In round one Yongin Uni ran rings around Pyeongchang to hammer the K3 Advanced side 7-1, before showing little patience with Jesus Hospital in round two to deliver a biblical 8-2 win. In the previous round the students needed extra time to beat Hwaseong 3-2. Daegu, meanwhile, lost 2-1 in the fourth round to Gyeongnam last season, falling at the first hurdle for the first time in four years. Daegu haven't made it to the fifth round since 2012 and have only made it into the latter stages on five occasions, a semi final appearance in 2008 remains as the furthest those in sky blue have gone in the FA Cup. An away trip to either Yangpyeong or Sangju will be the reward for the victors in this contest.
Prediction: Daegu FC 2-0 Yongin University
Sangju Sangmu (K1) Vs Yangpeong FC (K3A)
- Sangju Civic Stadium
Army side Sangju Sangmu welcome K3 Advanced strugglers Yangpyeong FC having lost their last five in the league. Yangpyeong make the trip south to Sangju on a similar run with four defeats and a draw from their last five outings. Sangju made it to the quarter finals last season before being knocked out by eventual winners Ulsan Hyundai in a 3-1 defeat. In 2014 Sangju made it to the semis for the first time in their history but lost to eventual runners up FC Seoul. Yangpyeong, meanwhile, needed extra time to beat Siheung Citizen in the previous round, running out as 2-1 winners. Last year Yangpyeong made it to the third round before losing to Mokpo City 1-0. A home tie with either Daegu or Yongin University will await the winners of this professional versus amateur clash.
Prediction: Sangju Sangmu 2-0 Yangpyeong FC
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (K1) Vs Gimpo Citizen (K3A)
- Suwon World Cup Stadium
K League giants and 2016 FA Cup winners Suwon Bluewings will entertain Gimpo Citizen from the K3 Advanced, Korea's fourth tier. Bluewings made it to the quarter finals last year, losing to eventual runners up Busan IPark on penalties. The defeat was Bluewings' first in the competition since 2015, a penalty shootout loss to Jeonnam Dragons after a 3-3 draw. Gimpo make it to the fourth round on the back of an extra time win against fellow K3 side Pyeongtaek Citizen. The win was the club's first in the competition since 2015 when penalties were needed to ease past Hongik University in April that year. in the third round. Gimpo have never made it this far and sit fourth in the K3 Advanced table, five points off second place but make the short trip south to Big Bird with just two wins form their last five outings. An away trip to Gangneung or Cheonan will await the winners.
Preview: here
Ulsan Hyundai (K1) Vs Suwon FC (K2)
- Ulsan Munsu Stadium
The round's only K1 versus K2 clash sees current holders Ulsan Hyundai welcome Suwon FC to the Munsu Stadium. UIsan's FA Cup win last season was the Horangi's first piece of silverware since the ACL triumph in 2012. In both 2016 and 2015 Ulsan made it to the semi-finals but hadn't won the FA Cup since 2005. Suwon FC, meanwhile, picked up their first FA Cup in four years in the previous round when Kim Daeui's side thrashed Jungwon University 4-0. In 2017 Suwon lost on penalties to Seongnam, in 2016 they suffered the same fate against Daejeon Citizen. Against K1 opposition, Suwon have wins over Jeju United in 2014 and Jeonnam Dragons in 2013 to boast of and will be looking to pull of an upset come Wednesday. The victors of this all-K League clash will face either Busan IPark or Gyeongju Citizen.
Preview: here
Incheon United (K1) Vs FC Pocheon (K3A)
- Incheon Football Stadium
A 2-1 victory in the Gyeongin Derby against rivals FC Seoul will have done wonders for Incheon United's confidence as new boss Jørn Andersen looks to turn the Durumi's fortunes around. Up next is FC Pocheon at home, a side that are no strangers to overcoming K League opposition having knocked out Seoul E-Land last year and Daejeon Citizen in 2014. In round three Pocheon displaced Incheon University with a 2-0 win and will be looking to at least replicate their cup run from last year which saw the fourth tier side reach the fifth round before losing to Mokpo City. Incheon finished as runners up in 2015, losing to FC Seoul in the final, and since then have made it to the quarters in 2016 and round four last year. A win for Incheon would mean back-to-back wins for the first time since August last year. A home fixture with either Anyang or Mokpo awaits the winners.
Preview: here
Jeju United (K1) Vs Korea University (UL)
- Jeju World Cup Stadium
On the Island, Korea University make the one-hour flight to take on K League giants Jeju United. United's recent form has seen the purveyors of tangerine takka's pursuit of the automatic ACL places slip somewhat and so will want to get back to winning ways when Korea Uni visit Seogwipo. Last season Jeju lost to Suwon Bluewings in the fifth round and we knocked out in the fourth round the year before. United have never won the FA Cup but have reached the semi finals four times, the most recent being in 2013. Korea University beat K2 side Seoul E-Land on penalties in the previous round and dispatched of fellow university side Soongsil in the round prior. Korea University have come up against K League opposition on three occasions, the first ended in a 2-0 defeat to Jeonbuk in 2008. A trip to either Seoul or Gyeongnam awaits the winners.
Preview: here
Pohang Steelers (K1) Vs Jeonnam Dragons (K1)
- Pohang Steelyard (Naver)
These two sides will be all too familiar with each other having squared off at the weekend when the game ended in a 3-1 Pohang win, their second on the bounce as Choi Soonho's side look to be finding some form. Jeonnam, meanwhile, have just one win in 10 and so will make the trip to the Steelyard as the underdogs. Pohang and Jeonnam have met in the FA Cup on three occasions including the two-leg final in 2007. Jeonnam won the first leg 3-2 and the second leg 3-1 to seal their third FA Cup triumph. Pohang last won the competition in 2013, beating Jeonbuk on penalties after a 1-1 draw - their fourth FA Cup win. Which ever team makes it to the fifth round will have a home tie with Chuncheon or Daejeon Korail to look forward to.
Writers' Chat Preview: here
20:00
Busan IPark (K2) Vs Gyeongju Citizen- Gudeok Stadium, Busan
The second game to take place at the Gudeok Stadium on Wednesday will see K2 promotion hopefuls Busan IPark host K3 Advanced league leaders Gyeongju Citizen. Busan knocked fellow K2 outfit Bucheon 1995 in the previous round and, should Choi Yunkyeom's side get past Gyeongju, will be hopeful of exacting revenge on Ulsan should the holders, who beat Busan in the final over two legs, get past K2 side Suwon FC. IPark finished as runners up in 2010 and last lifted the trophy in 2004. Gyeongju, meanwhile, make the trip further south having beaten Paju Citizen 1-0 away in round three and Dankook University 2-0 in round two. Citizen have faced faced K League opposition twice before, the first in 2012 against Daejeon Citizen, losing 2-1 away from home, and in 2016, losing to eventual semi-finalists Bucheon 1995.
Preview: here
Seongnam FC Vs Gyeongju KHNP
- Tancheon Sports Complex
K League 2 league leaders and three times FA Cup winners Seongnam well be hoping to book their place in the fifth round when they welcome National League table-toppers Gyeongju HNP. Seongnam suffered the indignity of a cupset last season when another National League side, Mokpo City, ran out 3-0 winners at Tancheon. In the last round the Magpies edged past Daejeon Citizen in a 1-0 win whilst Gyeongju overcame Ulsan University in a 3-1 victory. Wednesday's clash will be the first time Gyeongju have come up against K League opposition in two years, the last being a 1-0 defeat to Suwon Bluewings. In 2010, Gyeongju KHNP beat Gangwon 1-0 after extra time, a result that remains as their only victory over a K League side.
Prediction: Seongnam 2-0 Gyeongju HNP
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