FA Cup Preview: Incheon United vs Cheongju FC

Incheon United look to boost morale ahead of their big derby game this coming weekend against FC Seoul, as they take on K3 Advanced side Cheongju FC in the 2019 Korean FA Cup. Following the dismissal of Jørn Andersen on Monday the club will also be hoping to ease fans worries with a win.

Last Time Out

Incheon United 0 - 3 Ulsan Hyundai

Incheon fell to their fifth straight defeat on Sunday afternoon, this time losing to current league leaders Ulsan Hyundai. It took Ulsan seventeen minutes to get going and find a hole in the Incheon defence. Brazilian Junior Negrao scored on the turn to give Ulsan the lead. Ulsan were then dealt a setback as midfielder Shin Jin-ho was sent off following VAR intervention. But the referee then leveled up the sides handing Incheon Captain Nam Jun-jae his marching orders for a second yellow card just before half time.

The second half wasn't one that will live in the memories for a long time. Both sides struggled to create chances, maybe due to both playing with only ten men. Kim In-sung scored the second Ulsan goal late in the half connecting with a Kim Tae-hwan cross. And it was the same pair that created the third goal with almost the final kick of the game. The result and performance ultimately cost Jørn Andersen his job as Incheon manager as well.

Highlights: here

Yangpyeong 1 - 2 Cheongju FC

Cheongju FC picked up their first away league win of the season on Saturday afternoon beating Yangpyeong. The game was watched by a crowd of just 278 in a small stadium surrounded by cherry blossom trees, and judging by the highlights Cheongju controlled most of the game. Kim Geun-woong opened the scoring for Cheongju from the penalty spot in the first half. Yangpyeong briefly leveled early in the second half via Oh Sung-jin. However, it was forward Kim Geun-woong who helped restore Cheongju's lead and ultimately take home the three points.

Highlights (via the Cheongju FC Facebook Page): here

Previous Meetings

Incheon United and Cheongju FC have never played each other before. However, Cheongju FC and Cheongju City merged before the start of the 2019 K3 Season and Incheon have played Cheongju City before. Incheon have played Cheongju City twice, both times in the cup and both times Incheon won 1-0, in 2015 and then again in 2016.

Team News

Managerless Incheon United will mostly likely be without star striker Stefan Mugosa, who is still injured. No Incheon players are suspended for this game, however as this is the cup it's possible reserve team players will be drafted in.

Who To Watch

For Incheon United, once again with Stefan Mugoša still out injured Incheon are seriously lacking an out-and-out striker. Nguyễn Công Phượng and Nam Jun-jae are the likely replacements for him on Wednesday.

Moving into the midfield, veteran Kim Seung-yong made his debut for Incheon at the weekend and will likely start this game in order to pick up some match fitness. Also look out for U22 International Kim Bo-seob.

Finally, at the back Kim Jin-ya was the only impressive defensive player in recent games and will hopefully start this game to give some wide options on the counter attack.

For Cheongju FC forward Kim Geun-woong scored both goals this past weekend and seems to be their main goal threat. Other than him, Cheongju FC are an unknown force coming into this game but it's a great chance for the K3 League players to put themselves in the shop window.

Prediction

Incheon have lost their last five league games and so the FA Cup will be a welcome change of pace. Cheongju FC have already progressed through two rounds of the cup already, beating Chung-Ang University and Incheon University, and they'll be looking to add the scalp of K League stragglers Incheon to that list.

Incheon dismissed manager Jørn Andersen on Monday and therefore the caretaker staff could shake things up, partly due to the fact that this is the cup but also because of the derby match this coming weekend against FC Seoul.

Overall, Incheon should have the edge against the part-timers from Cheongju. But with confidence at an all time low, it could be a game Incheon take carefully and maybe just look to win at all costs. 

Predicted Score: Incheon United 2 - 1 Cheongju FC

Live Stream: YouTube

FA Cup 4th Round Preview: here