Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Bucheon 1995

Seoul E-Land sunk to another devastating defeat away to Daejeon Citizen last weekend. It brings the total defeats now to 14 this year and its proving to be more of the same as the season prior for The Leopards.

This weekend, they welcome Bucheon 1995 to Jamsil, a team they know only too well, with two out of three of the previous games going E-Land's way. They have a lot to prove still, but a free-falling Bucheon may just be the ideal team for Seoul to face.
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land traveled down the Daejeon World Cup stadium last weekend, in the hope of continuing winning ways. The game was only 20 minutes in before Daejeon put a stop to the idea, however. Kang Yoon-sung put the home side 1-0 up in the first half and left E-Land with a mountain to climb.

A crossed ball from Daejeon saw two E-Land defenders caught off guard, for an easy header home for the Korean. Once again defensive issues from the capital club saw them go a goal down early doors and cost them dearly in the tie.

The game ended with just the solo goal from Daejeon, and after Ansan Greeners beat Suwon FC on Sunday, Seoul E-Land returned to the 10th position in the K League 2. Seoul E-Land is not showing the class that they promised their fans in weeks before, and another slumping defeat gives further hopelessness for the E-Land faithful.

Final Score: Daejeon Citizen 1-0 Seoul E-Land

Bucheon 1995 had a tough task on the weekend when they made the journey down south to Busan to take on a team who has recently dipped in form and looking for a result to keep up an automatic playoff dream.

Bucheon managed to score first in the tie. It took them only ten minutes to put the ball in the back of the net. A goal from Kim Jun-yub saw them a goal up away from home.

Bucheon held onto the lead all the way until the 70th minute, where they let Busan back into the game, and a goal from Kim Moon-hwan leveled the score. The game played out to a 1-1 result and it sees Bucheon move up to 7th place, but still only two points ahead of E-Land.

Final Score: Busan IPark 1-1 Bucheon 1995

Previous Meetings

Out of the previous three games this season, Seoul have actually had the better of the two sides, recording two wins away from home, with one win for Bucheon in the capital.

The first encounter in Jamsil, saw Seoul go two goals up against an in-form Bucheon who were still yet to lose a game all season. The second half brought out a different side in Bucheon however, and they managed to pull off the victory thanks to four goals in the second half.

Final Score: Seoul E-Land 2-4 Bucheon 1995

The second game came two months later in May, and Seoul must have had revenge on their mind. They played out a 0-0 stalemate in the first half, but the second half saw Seoul charge at Bucheon and manage to put three goals past them for a famous victory.

Final Score: Bucheon 1995 3-0 Seoul E-Land

The last encounter was once again in Bucheon stadium and will be remembered for the fantastic Choi Chi-won freekick from a number of yards out. The goal saw Seoul cruise to a 2-0 victory against Bucheon.

Final Score: Bucheon 1995 2-0 Seoul E-Land

Team News

The biggest talking point from the game against Daejeon on the weekend was In Chang-soo’s decision to put Choi Oh-back, a player who has been playing in the front three all season, in the right back position.

Very questionable tactics from the manager, and maybe he was placed there to run down the right side of the field when given the space and opportunity. We know Choi Oh-back enjoys having the ball at his feet and maybe was a way for him to take control of the ball from the back.

Even with the defensive 5-3-2 formation, E-Land couldn’t keep Daejeon at bay and conceded in the tie. There was no Ahn Ji-ho in the side for the game, the defender picked up his 6th yellow card of the season against Suwon and was suspended for the tie.

The Seoul E-Land team, which faced Daejeon Citizen in the last round (Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/seouleland)

Ivan worked in the center of the defense once again for Seoul, his height gives him a good advantage at winning balls for the Leopards. His presence offers stability to the side, and we may see him soon partner up with a returning Ahn Jo-ho.

Joo Min-Kyu came on for E-Land at the stroke of halftime, yet still has not started for the side. He will be looking to make an impact against Bucheon and hopefully be in the starting 11.

Prediction

It’s hard to say what will happen with Seoul E-Land. They are really trying to rally the crowd and show them that they are trying to succeed and be the best they possibly can be, but they are sat at the bottom of the K League 2 in what once again looks like a disappointing season.

Bucheon has really let themselves down as well in comparison to how they started the season in the beginning. They will look to get a result against E-Land and save some face for their poor run of form. Bucheon have not won a game in nine, and if there was a team to break that conundrum, it most probably will be E-Land

Predicted Score: Seoul E-Land 2-2 Bucheon 1995