Preview: KEB Hana Bank Korean FA Cup Quarter Finals
On Wednesday afternoon four K League teams and two National League sides will go to battle in the 2018 KEB Hana Bank Korean FA Cup quarter finals. A K League 1 versus K League 2 clash sees relegation threatened Jeonnam Dragons host high-flying Asan Mugunghwa. Meanwhile, last year's semi finalists, Mokpo City, will be hoping for another giant killing when the National League outfit take on Daegu FC at home.
(image via K League)
In the league, Andre's men have given themselves a realistic chance of making it into the Championship Round of the split, sitting in eighth place and just two points behind Gangwon in sixth. Daegu's appearance in the quarter finals is their first since 2009 and will be seen as heavy favourites to make it into the last four for just the second time in the Club's history. Daegu have been the victims of giant killings against National League teams in the past, though; the North Gyeongsang side lost to Gimpo Hallelujah 2004 and in 2011 Daegu bowed out to to the now defunct Ulsan Mipo Dockyard Dolphins.
You can read Muyeol Jung's full preview and prediction here.
Gimhae have only lost four times all season and will prove to be a tough test for the K League giants. Despite needing penalties to knockout Cheongju, Gimhae went on to cause a huge upset by displacing K League 1 side Gangwon FC in the next round. A 1-0 victory over National League table toppers Gyeongju KHNP then set up Wednesday's tie. Ulsan haven't lost against a non-K League side since 2009 when the Horangi crashed out on penalties against Goyang KB following a 1-1 draw. Gimhae have come up against K League opposition on nine occasions in the FA Cup, winning just once - the 2-1 home victory over Gangwon in round four.
You can read Daniel Croydon's full preview and prediction here.
Since the Club's inception in 2017, Mugunghwa have only lost once in the FA Cup in six matches, a 3-0 reverse away to then-K League Classic side Gwangju FC in the fifth round. The Dragons have only lost to lower league opposition on two occasions in the FA Cup, last season's quarter final exit to Busan IPark and 4-3 home defeat Suwon FC in 2013.
You can read Aodan Halligan's full preview and prediction here soon.
You can read columnist Scott Whitelock's Kashima Antlers vs Suwon Bluewings preview here.
(image via K League)
Wednesday 3rd October
Mokpo City (NL) vs Daegu FC (K1) 14:00
Mokpo City famously made it all the way to the semi finals last year, bowing out to eventual winners Ulsan Hyundai in a narrow 1-0 defeat at the Munsu. The National League side have the chance to repeat last year's truly impressive feat should they overcome K League 1 side Daegu FC at home. Mokpo have picked up wins over FC Anyang and Incheon United in the FA Cup already this season but the visit of Daegu may be the South Jeolla outfit's sternest test yet. Daegu made light work of Yongin University in a 4-1 win in round four before thrashing Yangpyeong 8-0 to make it into the quarters.Daegu FC's Kim Dawon celebrates scoring against FC Seoul (image via K League) |
You can read Muyeol Jung's full preview and prediction here.
Ulsan Hyundai (K1) vs Gimhae City (NL) 14:00
The current holders of the competition, Ulsan Hyundai, are in good form heading into Wednesday's FA Cup tie, despite the two goal collapse against Suwon Bluewings on Saturday. Kim Dohoon's side have lost just twice in 17 matches and have only lost four times at home this year with one of those defeats coming in the AFC Champions League. To make it to the quarters the Horangi knocked out Suwon FC in round four and Busan IPark in round five, a repeat of last year's final. Gyeongsang Province neighbours Gimhae City of the National League sit second in the table and, like Ulsan, also have just two defeats in 17 matches.Ulsan's Mix Diskerud (C) in action against Pohang Steelers (image via K League) |
You can read Daniel Croydon's full preview and prediction here.
Jeonnam Dragons (K1) vs Asan Mugunghwa (K2) 14:00
Jeonnam Dragons may be in danger of being relegated from K League 1 but Kim Inwan's men are going great guns in the FA Cup. Victory over Pohang Steelers at the Steelyard, before a win over National League side Chuncheon sets the Dragons up for this K1 versus K2 clash with Asan Mugunghwa. Asan top the K2 table and even knocked out reigning K League 1 Champions and soon to be back-to-back Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai in the previous round after wins over Ansan Greeners and Yeoju Sejong in rounds three and four. In the league, Asan are unbeaten in four and have won their last three on the spin.Under manager Kim Inwan Jeonnam have won four from eight and lost three times (image via K League) |
You can read Aodan Halligan's full preview and prediction here soon.
Suwon Bluewings (K1) P-P Jeju United (K1)
This all-K League 1 clash has been postponed until Wednesday 17th October at 7:30 PM due to Suwon Bluewings' involvement in the AFC Champions League semi finals on Wednesday night.You can read columnist Scott Whitelock's Kashima Antlers vs Suwon Bluewings preview here.
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