2018 Season Review: Incheon United

It was yet another long hard season for Incheon United but ultimately lead to the Durumi avoiding the drop. Looking back over the high points, low points, best players and worst players for Incheon United during the 2018 season, as well as a brief look ahead to 2019, is columnist Tim Barnes. 

What Went Well

Overall, the highlight of the season was avoiding relegation once again. Especially as heading into the post-split games Incheon were still plum bottom of the league and a few points adrift. But, the Durumi won four games on the bounce, including a Gyeongin Derby against FC Seoul.

United scoring 55 goals this season was another area for vast improvement, as in previous years it was an area that the team struggled with. Finally, new manager Jørn Andersen took a team that was struggling and calmly improved elements mainly in the defensive area which allowed the club to survive for another season. He can now put his own stamp on the team and club in general.

What Didn't Go Well

It was yet another season scrapping it out at the bottom, losing and drawing far to many games that the team should have been winning. Defensively, it was often a horror show with players lacking focus often towards the end of games.

The 7-0 defeat on the road to Gangwon FC in August was an awful performance and the point were goalkeeper Lee Jin-hyung lost his starting role for the rest of the season. The squad lacked depth all season, so when key players were missing there was nobody to fill the void.

Young Player of the Year

Kim Jin-ya had a great season for both club and country. He was part of the U23 squad that won a gold medals at the Asian Games. He's also converted well from being a winger to being a full-back, a position Incheon needed extra cover in. He's still only 20 and therefore still has time to develop.

Team MVP

Overall, I'm going to say Stefan Mugoša, the Montenegrin international filled a gap in attack that's been missing since Kevin Oris left a couple of years ago. He scored nineteen goals in his debut K League season, finishing third highest in the league. There are also honorable mentions also for Elías Aguilar, Moon Seon-min and summer re-signing Nam Jun-jae.

Most Disappointing Player

Personally, I felt Lee Jin-hyung didn't have a great season. He didn't get a lot of help from his defence but overall I felt he could have done better at times. Jung San thankfully filled the gap for the final few games of the season. I also wasn't overall impressed by Ko Seul-ki, who was a big loan-signing from Thailand.

Most Important Decision of the Off Season

Firstly, the club needs to keep manager Jørn Andersen, and give him funds in order to build a solid squad heading into the new season. Also, Incheon need to try and hold onto Stefan Mugoša and Moon Seon-min. Elías Aguilar seems like he's heading to Jeju United already but Kim Jin-ya would also be a big loss if he didn't stay.

Signings need to be made at the back: a new goalkeeper, a possible replacement for Bunoza at centre back and new defensive midfielders. Overall, the club needs to hold onto their assets and start rebuilding from the back in order to move forward.