Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Asan Mugunghwa

We are already 13 games into the 2019 K League 2 season and for Seoul E-Land it has already gone down as another forgettable one, to say the least. With only one win this calendar year in the league, the team has had little to give to their fans thus far. After another agonizing loss to FC Anyang in the last round, focus shifts to the visit of last year's champions, Asan Mugunghwa. The ex-police team will make the short journey over to Seoul's temporary home in Cheonan in what is arguably the newest derby in the league due to their proximity.

Overview

Via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Seoul made the trip down Line 4 on Saturday, to face an FC Anyang side pushing for a playoff position. Seoul started the game well, as they have always done as of late. They were strong and multiple chances fell in Seoul's favor. Seoul did exceptionally well pushing forward and were rewarded with a goal from Kwon Gi-pyo in the 29th minute.

Seoul were cruising, but disaster struck with the last kick of the first half. Anyang took a shot which wasn't handled well by the Leopard's defense. Keeper, Kim Young-kwang, who has been a shining star for Seoul in these dark years, uncharacteristically fumbled the ball into his own net, making it 1-1 on the break.

As half time came, something which sums up the capital club perfectly this year happened. Visual arguments amongst the team, right in front of their away support, shows the state the team was in. To be going into half time 1-1, and looking so deflated, showed that Seoul have a mountain to climb to have any respect within the league.

The second half was very defensive from both sides, the two teams had chances to claim the three points, but it was FC Anyang who had the rub of luck on this day. The men in purple were given a penalty in the 88th minute, which Cho Kyu-sung converted.

Ultimately, it was another heartbreaking day for Seoul E-Land, and especially their fans who follow them religiously, even through this very tough time.

Full Time: FC Anyang 1-2 Seoul E-Land

The tastiest game of last weekend was Asan Mugunghwa's clash with Gwangju on the Sunday. The league leaders traveled to Asan to face the side who are undefeated in four. Asan sits slightly out of the playoff positions and was looking for a big result against an inform Gwangju side.

The two teams went toe to toe with one another, yet there were no goals in the fixture this time around. A win for Asan would have seen them leapfrog FC Anyang into 4th position. For Gwangju, anything less than a win would make the side agonizingly wait to see what Busan's result would be in the last game of the round. The worse possible outcome happened for the side as Busan defeated Jeonnam to climb above Gwangju in the table.

A stalemate and a share of the points was all that the two sides could muster and Gwangju will now go into the next round of games in 2nd, for the first time this season.

Full Time: Asan Mugunghwa 0-0 Gwangju

Previous Meetings

The two sides met earlier in the season in the Yi Sun-sin stadium. Seoul E-Land were looking to get revenge as they had fell 3-1 the last time they played Asan away from home. Lightning did strike twice, however, as the exact scoreline was replicated by the champions.

Asan drew first blood in the tie, as Oh Se-hun made it 1-0 from the penalty spot in the 40th minute. It has been the theme of the season for Seoul to concede late into the first half, and this game was no exception.

Asan came out fighting again in the second half and added another goal in the 69th minute. Ko Moo-yeol was the scorer and looked as if he had secured the three points. Seoul did have a lifeline, however, in the form of Brazilian striker, Wesley Alex. The forward made it 2-1 in the 72nd minute.

Seoul really looked like they could have added a second. However, their constant push forward cost them as a counterattack from Asan made it three in the 84th minute. Park min-seo with the goal outside of the box.

Full Time: Asan Mugunhwa 3-1 Seoul E-Land

Team News

Seoul E-Land went with a 4-3-3 formation on the weekend, with Kwon Gi-pyo moving further up the field into the left striker position. It worked as he was the goalscorer for the side on the weekend and maybe he will return there against Asan. The young player has been having a good season and has been added into the U22 Korean training camping, which begins in June.

Lee Kyung-ryul and Kim Dong-cheol were again leading the back line, with veteran Masuda in the middle of the park controlling the tempo.

Wesley Alex started in the fixture and Robson Duarte came off the bench as well. A noticeable absence was E-Land's top scorer Douglas Coutinho. We may see the Brazilian return on the weekend.

The Adversary

Asan had to settle for a draw at home against league leaders Gwangju FC last weekend after what can be called a tame display. However, considering the fact that the team has been short-handed of late, with an injury to Ahn Hyun-beom and Oh Se-hun in Poland with the U-20 national team for the World Cup, it could be seen as a fair result.

There is some concern with regards to the status of Lee Myung-joo recently as the Gwangju match was the third consecutive in which he was not selected for the squad, but there hasn’t been any word regarding injuries or otherwise, but it is something which needs attention and hopefully there will be a resolution soon. His form has dipped this season, with only one goal in ten appearances, so it’s possible that his lack of form has something to do with it.

Choi Bong-jin started against Gwangju again and got another clean sheet, so it seems there is no question anymore as to who the number one ‘keeper is, at least for the time being.

Ko Mu-yeol could have added to his goal tally against Gwangju, but his effort near the end of the first half was kept out by the woodwork. He has shown a lot more commitment this season, and his numbers have vastly improved compared to last season. The fact that he only has one yellow card so far this season also shows that he has taken the time to correct some disciplinary issues which were of some concern last season.

He has become responsible on the pitch and his work ethic has begun to rub off on the younger players.Asan should approach the match with confidence having beaten E-Land already this season. They have won the past four meetings, and have scored thirteen over that span while only conceding twice.

Prediction

It's a shame about the state the club is in this season for Seoul E-Land. The fans really believed 2019 would be a turning point. Seoul had a manager who looked concerned about the welfare of the team, only to be too inexperienced for the role. The team brought in new signings who have shown promise, but not enough to keep us above board.

The easiest part of writing these previews for Seoul E-Land every week is predicting who will come out victorious in the match. The power of Asan will run riot in this game, and Seoul don't stand a chance. Seoul may score. They have a knack of scoring first this season and playing out of their skin in the first 30 minutes, but they do drop off and Asan will notice this. Seoul are a side that, even if they go a goal up, the opposing team should have every confidence that they will come out with the win. That is how predictable the side has been this year.

Seoul E-Land 1-3 Asan Mugunghwa