Preview: FC Seoul vs Jeju United
Hoping to make it three wins on the spin to start the new campaign, FC Seoul will welcome Jeju United to Seoul World Cup Stadium this Saturday afternoon. Whilst Choi Yongsoo and his men head into Saturday's fixture with two wins and two cleansheets, Choi's opposite number Cho Sunghwan may be beginning to feel the pressure. Jeju have managed to pick up just a solitary point from their opening matches and will be desperate to get their season up and running. Columnists Paul Neat and Branko Belan preview this K League 1 Round 3 clash.
FC Seoul made it two wins from two in 2019 thanks to a narrow away win over newly promoted Seongnam FC last Sunday. A Go Yohan strike on the stroke of half time made it one for sorrow for the Magpies upon their K League 1 homecoming. Seongnam, who were playing back at Seongnam Civic Stadium for the first time in a decade, edged the first 45 but, with just added time remaining, Seoul skipper Go Yohan found space in the penalty box to send the ball into the top corner.
Hwang Hyunsoo's long ball forward was only partially cleared by Seongnam centre back Yeon Jaewoon. The second ball fell into the path of Ikromjon Alibaev on the edge of the box who cleverly played in full back-turned-forward Park Dongjin 12 yards out. Park took a touch before squaring the ball into an unmarked Go Yohan who proceeded to round the goalkeeper before guiding the ball into the top corner with his right foot.
Seoul had struggled to find much of a rhythm in the first period and so were perhaps a touch fortunate to have gone in at the break with their tails up. Choi Yongsoo's men held on to make it two wins and two clean sheets in a row.
Highlights: here
Daegu FC 2-0 Jeju United
Jeju come into their first match against FC Seoul this season on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Daegu FC last weekend. Jo Hyun-woo was spectacular between the sticks to deny the islanders from getting on the scoresheet, while second half goals from Edgar and Kim Dae-won were more than enough for the hosts to secure all three points in their first ever match at DGB Park.
Daegu would finally be rewarded for their industry in the 77th minute, when Edgar took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Jeju back line, finding space to shoot from just outside the box, with Lee Chang-keun left rooted to the spot at the top of his six yard box.
They would go on to add a second through Kim Dae-won five minutes from time, after turning a defender and firing into the top corner from an acute angle, and all that was left was for time to tick off the clock, as the Sky Blues rewarded their fans with an opening day victory in their maiden appearance at their new home.
(Branko Belan)
Highlights: here
The last meeting at Sangam however was an FA Cup Round of 16 clash last August. And, much like he did in the last K League meeting, Tiago proved to be a nuisance for FC Seoul once again by bagging the winner in time added on. With the game looking set to go to extra time and penalties, Tiago found space in behind before finding the roof of the net emphatically after Anderson Lopes had cancelled out Lee Dongsoo's third minute opener for Jeju.
However, just four days before, the two teams met in the league. On a hot and humid night at Seoul World Cup Stadium, FC Seoul emerged as the victors with a comprehensive 3-0 win thanks to a Kwon Hanjin own goal, a Bojan Matić strike on 52 minutes and a third by Shin Jinho late into the second period.
Since their first meeting in 2006, these two sides have gone toe to toe on 44 occasions. Seoul have the clear advantage with 24 wins to Jeju's six and 14 draws. At Sangam, FC Seoul have picked up victories in 15 of the 23 meetings.
Choi Yongsoo stuck to the same formation and indeed the same starting XI against Seongnam with Park Dongjin preferred up front alongside Park Chuyoung. Park Dongjin was credited for the assist but was replaced on 63 minutes by Cho Youngwook.
The ball movement was not entirely bad against Daegu, and they did have their chances on the counter, but the ball still can’t seem to find the back of the net for them. It cannot be forgotten that Jeju only scored a total of 42 times last season, so it seems that for the moment, their scoring woes have carried over. There is however, a lot of quality in this side, and it will only be a matter of time before things begin clicking on all cylinders. The new additions have settled in well it seems, now the most important order of business is for the men up front to start scoring on a regular basis.
There are no suspensions in the side, although Jeju will continue to be without the services of former FC Seoul winger Yun Illok, whose return to the side is questionable as he deals with injury. Jung Woojae is also out and not expected to see his first action for the islanders until at least April as he continues rehabilitation from ACL surgery last year.
(Branko Belan)
Uzbekistan international midfielder Ikromjon Alibaev has hit the ground running since his winter transfer move from Uzbek Super League Champions Lokomotiv Tashkent. After an impressive debut against Pohang Steelers, Alibaev picked up where he left off with another spirited display away to Seongnam. His energy and quick passing caused problems for Seongnam at the weekend and enabled Seoul to get the ball higher up the pitch quickly. The 25 year-old is keen to add goals to his game and will no doubt be looking to get on the scoresheet come Saturday. Thus far, Alibaev has had the third highest number of shots in K League 1 with seven.
Jeju United - Lee Changmin
After two rounds Jeju United number 14 Lee Changmin is third in the league overall for shots on target. Lee has five and is just one behind Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Ricardo Lopes and Ulsan Hyundai's Júnior Negrão who both have six. Lee has averaged at 2.5 shots on target per game and has already found the net this term, a long range rocket in the 1-1 draw with Incheon United on the opening day.
FC Seoul 2-1 Jeju United
Overview
via Soccerway |
Last Time Out
Seongnam FC 0-1 FC SeoulFC Seoul made it two wins from two in 2019 thanks to a narrow away win over newly promoted Seongnam FC last Sunday. A Go Yohan strike on the stroke of half time made it one for sorrow for the Magpies upon their K League 1 homecoming. Seongnam, who were playing back at Seongnam Civic Stadium for the first time in a decade, edged the first 45 but, with just added time remaining, Seoul skipper Go Yohan found space in the penalty box to send the ball into the top corner.
Hwang Hyunsoo's long ball forward was only partially cleared by Seongnam centre back Yeon Jaewoon. The second ball fell into the path of Ikromjon Alibaev on the edge of the box who cleverly played in full back-turned-forward Park Dongjin 12 yards out. Park took a touch before squaring the ball into an unmarked Go Yohan who proceeded to round the goalkeeper before guiding the ball into the top corner with his right foot.
Seoul had struggled to find much of a rhythm in the first period and so were perhaps a touch fortunate to have gone in at the break with their tails up. Choi Yongsoo's men held on to make it two wins and two clean sheets in a row.
Highlights: here
Daegu FC 2-0 Jeju United
Jeju come into their first match against FC Seoul this season on the heels of a 2-0 loss to Daegu FC last weekend. Jo Hyun-woo was spectacular between the sticks to deny the islanders from getting on the scoresheet, while second half goals from Edgar and Kim Dae-won were more than enough for the hosts to secure all three points in their first ever match at DGB Park.
Daegu would finally be rewarded for their industry in the 77th minute, when Edgar took advantage of a defensive lapse by the Jeju back line, finding space to shoot from just outside the box, with Lee Chang-keun left rooted to the spot at the top of his six yard box.
They would go on to add a second through Kim Dae-won five minutes from time, after turning a defender and firing into the top corner from an acute angle, and all that was left was for time to tick off the clock, as the Sky Blues rewarded their fans with an opening day victory in their maiden appearance at their new home.
(Branko Belan)
Highlights: here
Previous Meetings
The most recent meeting between FC Seoul and Jeju United was Choi Yongsoo's first match in charge after returning to K League management last October. The Islanders though were keen to spoil Choi's return; Brazilian striker Tiago in particular who popped up with an 83rd minute winner to send Seoul back to the capital without a single point for their endeavours.The last meeting at Sangam however was an FA Cup Round of 16 clash last August. And, much like he did in the last K League meeting, Tiago proved to be a nuisance for FC Seoul once again by bagging the winner in time added on. With the game looking set to go to extra time and penalties, Tiago found space in behind before finding the roof of the net emphatically after Anderson Lopes had cancelled out Lee Dongsoo's third minute opener for Jeju.
However, just four days before, the two teams met in the league. On a hot and humid night at Seoul World Cup Stadium, FC Seoul emerged as the victors with a comprehensive 3-0 win thanks to a Kwon Hanjin own goal, a Bojan Matić strike on 52 minutes and a third by Shin Jinho late into the second period.
Since their first meeting in 2006, these two sides have gone toe to toe on 44 occasions. Seoul have the clear advantage with 24 wins to Jeju's six and 14 draws. At Sangam, FC Seoul have picked up victories in 15 of the 23 meetings.
Team News
Defensive midfielder Osmar remains a doubt after the Spaniard missed Seoul's last two games through injury. However, Aleksandar Pešić could be in line for a first start after making his K League bow as a second half substitute during the 1-0 win over Seongnam last time out.Choi Yongsoo stuck to the same formation and indeed the same starting XI against Seongnam with Park Dongjin preferred up front alongside Park Chuyoung. Park Dongjin was credited for the assist but was replaced on 63 minutes by Cho Youngwook.
FC Seoul lineup vs Seongnam FC, K League 1 Round 2 |
The Adversary
Jeju were outdone by a lack of finishing once again, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying to get on the score sheet. A lot of the credit has to go to Jo Hyunwoo for the performance that he put in, and also to a very slick counter-attack by Daegu, which created problems all day long for the Jeju back four. Cho Sunghwan went with a 4-1-4-1 formation which has had some success in stretches in their first two matches this season, but Jeju still have to find their touch in front of goal.The ball movement was not entirely bad against Daegu, and they did have their chances on the counter, but the ball still can’t seem to find the back of the net for them. It cannot be forgotten that Jeju only scored a total of 42 times last season, so it seems that for the moment, their scoring woes have carried over. There is however, a lot of quality in this side, and it will only be a matter of time before things begin clicking on all cylinders. The new additions have settled in well it seems, now the most important order of business is for the men up front to start scoring on a regular basis.
There are no suspensions in the side, although Jeju will continue to be without the services of former FC Seoul winger Yun Illok, whose return to the side is questionable as he deals with injury. Jung Woojae is also out and not expected to see his first action for the islanders until at least April as he continues rehabilitation from ACL surgery last year.
(Branko Belan)
Jeju United lineup vs Daegu FC, K League 1 Round 2 |
Who To Watch
FC Seoul - Ikromjon AlibaevUzbekistan international midfielder Ikromjon Alibaev has hit the ground running since his winter transfer move from Uzbek Super League Champions Lokomotiv Tashkent. After an impressive debut against Pohang Steelers, Alibaev picked up where he left off with another spirited display away to Seongnam. His energy and quick passing caused problems for Seongnam at the weekend and enabled Seoul to get the ball higher up the pitch quickly. The 25 year-old is keen to add goals to his game and will no doubt be looking to get on the scoresheet come Saturday. Thus far, Alibaev has had the third highest number of shots in K League 1 with seven.
Jeju United - Lee Changmin
After two rounds Jeju United number 14 Lee Changmin is third in the league overall for shots on target. Lee has five and is just one behind Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Ricardo Lopes and Ulsan Hyundai's Júnior Negrão who both have six. Lee has averaged at 2.5 shots on target per game and has already found the net this term, a long range rocket in the 1-1 draw with Incheon United on the opening day.
Prediction
The performance against Seongnam wasn't as slick and enterprising as it was against Pohang. Nevertheless, Seoul were able to get the job done and made the short trip back to Sangam with all three points. Not since 2010 have FC Seoul began the season with two straight victories and so Choi Yongsoo's men will definitely fancy themselves against an as of yet-winless Jeju United. That said, Jeju United have enough quality to get themselves on the scoresheet. Tiago has caused problems for Seoul before and so, if selected, could do so again if the capital club give the Brazilian too much time and space.FC Seoul 2-1 Jeju United
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