Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Gwangju FC

Seoul E-Land were handed their 15th defeat of the season last weekend, and sit staring up as the rest of the K League 2 move further away from them. In a season which has seen Seoul meander between 10th and 7th, they are firmly in contention for the wooden spoon due to their recent, poor performances.

This weekend brings another home game for The Leopards, as Gwangju come to the capital in hope of getting their playoff push back on track. A win for Seoul may muster somewhat consolation for the fans, whereas a Gwangju win will help them in their targets for a return into the K League 1.
(image via K League)

Last Time Out

The weekend prior saw a return to the earlier kick-offs in the K League 2, as the temperature is finally cooling after a long hot summer. Bucheon came to Jamsil, in the hope of bettering their two previous poor performances against E-Land in past months.

Seoul won the last two games against Bucheon, both 2-0 and 3-0 and would be looking for a hattrick of wins to progress up the table. However, for the second week in a row, Seoul struggled in the first half, and let Bucheon play an attacking style of football.

Their efforts were rewarded in a Kim Jae-hyun own goal in the 35th minute. A launched ball into the box from Bucheon saw the defender attempted to head the ball back to keeper Kim Young-kwang, only to put it into the back of his own net. Bucheon managed to go in at the half 1-0 up.

The second half brought a feistier affair, as we saw sending’s off for both sides. E-Land’s Won Ki-jong was first to walk, after receiving a second yellow only four minutes after the restart.

Bucheon’s Jang soon-hyeok soon made himself known in the game also as he was given a straight red in the 73rd minute.

Seoul’s last 20 minutes looked a lot more promising for the side. Bucheon let them press and there was a number of chances to equalize in the game, but Seoul failed to take advantage of tired Bucheon legs and ended the game in another 1-0 defeat.

Final Score: Seoul E-Land 0-1 Bucheon

Gwangju were also stung on the weekend as Daejeon Citizen traveled to the Gwangju World Cup stadium, in the hope to continue in their marvelous season.

Gwangju drew first blood in the game, as Felipe put the home side ahead in the 39th minute. A victory for Gwangju would have seen them only three points off 4th position.

Gwangju did not see the game off though however, and a valiant Daejeon Citizen continued to push for a consolation goal. They did manage to level to score in the dying moments of the game, with a goal from Park in-hyeok.

Furthermore, to coincide with Daejeon’s performance as a whole this season, they didn’t stop there, and in almost one of the last kicks off the game, Chițu scored and claimed all three points for the away side.

Final Score: Gwangju 1-2 Daejeon Citizen

Previous Meetings

In the previous three encounters, we have seen a stalemate in Jamsil, followed by a routine 3-0 for Gwangju when they played in the return fixture.

The last time the two sides met, however, brought a very entertaining game, which saw four goals down in the Gwangju World cup stadium.

Seoul E-Land got proceedings underway, as Cho Chan-ho made it 1-0 on the half-hour mark into the game. The goal saw The Leopards go into the break with the 1-0, and things looked good for the capital side.

The second half, however, saw different ideas from Gwangju, and Felipe levelled the score in the 55th minute.

Seoul did fight back though and, 13 minutes later, saw Choi Oh-back restore the lead for E-Land, in the hope for a victory away from home.

It wasn’t to be, and in the 81st minute, Kim Tae-eun pulled down Róbson Carlos inside the penalty box. Felipe once again, converted and the game played out to another draw between the two sides.

Final Score: Gwangju 2-2 Seoul E-Land .

Team News

In Chang-soo chose a 4-1-4-1 formation, which has served him well in previous games in the league. Instead of having Ivan in that central defensive role, the boss chose Kim Chang-wook to take control of the position.

The Seoul E-Land team which faced Bucheon 1995 in the K League 2 last weekend. (Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/Seouleland)

We saw the noticeable three of Jeon Min-gwang, Ahn Ji-ho and Kim Jae-hyeon at the back, a trio which has been favored when suspensions and injury haven’t stopped it from happening.

Most noticeably from the game, will be the start for Won Ki-jong, who was given the nod ahead of Bielkiewicz up front for the side. Won Ki-jong was the leopard who was given the marching orders and In Chang-soo maybe more reluctant in his future choices. A suspension for the Korean rules him out for the game against Gwangju.

Prediction

If there was ever a time for Seoul E-Land to play Gwangju in this disastrous season, it most notably will be now. Gwangju have failed to win in eight games, and a fixture away from home is no easy task for any team.

However, Bucheon gave Seoul many chances in the second half of last week to level the score, and they just look like they are struggling to put the ball into the back of the net. When teams set up well against E-Land defensively, there have seen no problems in keeping them out this season.

It will be interesting to see what team wants this more, will it be a Gwangju team who are still hopeful of the playoffs, or a Seoul E-Land team, looking to get out of the dark hole they have put themselves in.

Seoul E-Land 1-1 Gwangju FC