Preview: Suwon FC vs Daejeon Citizen

Suwon FC, who are enjoying a fantastic month, will welcome 9th placed Daejeon Citizen this Saturday. Whilst Suwon are riding high, Daejeon are without a win in five posing the question whether the Purples can make this match a turning point by picking up their first win of the month or, will the home team continue in their rich vein of form.

Last Time Out

Ansan Greeners 2-3 Suwon FC 

Suwon FC went to Ansan on a mission to continue the flying results this month whilst Ansan Greeners were counting on revenge their loss at the Caste Park earlier this season. The only notable change in the starting eleven was the absence of Henri Anier who fired in two goals in recent games. Velasquez was instead replaced to fill his spot on the right wing, whilst 19-year-old playmaker Hwang Byung-kwon took up Velasquez’s usual position as the attacking midfield.

The match was played on a wet field thus, the boldness to go for goal could have been more important than having possession. Sure enough, the first goal came from Cho Yu-min, who never hesitated to go for goal in the penalty box when a free kick was not cleared properly by the Greeners’ defenders.

However, the lead did not last long, it was also a free kick that sparked the goal. A free kick from the left flank was deflected, presenting a golden opportunity for the Ansan’s players in the box. It was an easy goal for centre back, Lee In-je to convert an equalizer. It seemed like both teams would enter into the interval with the scoreline of 1-1 as the game entered into 40th minute. Yet, Hwang Byung-kwon headed in his first goal for his career at the 44th minute.

However, the home team never allowed the visitors to go ahead before the break. The last attack from Ansan Greeners before half time saw a dramatic goal from Lee Chang-hoon who sent in a stunning volley from inside the penalty box. The second half continued without a goal until the 90th minute as both teams struggled to get ahead of each other. However, a penalty was given to Suwon FC after the use of VAR at the 91st minute. Striker An Byong-jun, full of composure, sent the ball into the left hand corner to earn his team a 3-2 away win. It was a dramatic win for the visiting team.

Highlights: here


Daejeon Citizen 1-2 Jeonnam Dragons

Daejeon Citizen hosted Jeonnam Dragons last Saturday in a match where both teams were struggling in the league and perhaps saw the fixture as the perfect chance to bag three points. The Dragons did just that, emerging as winners with Han Chan-hee scoring the winning goal at the 88th minute. The home team had to accept the misery of losing a game that was led by them until the first half as Yoo Hae-sung gave the Purples a first half lead only for Kim Young-wook to restore parity on 66 minutes. The defeat turned out to be Ko Jong-soo's final match in charge of Daejeon.

Highlights: here

Previous Meetings

Suwon FC, whom began the downfall after suffering a painful defeat at Daejeon World Cup Stadium from last season’s 26th round, go up against Daejeon having paid off the same to Daejeon this season. Suwon FC suffered five losses in a row after that painful night at the Purples Arena with the dismal run only ending when they faced Daejeon again at home. Similarly for the Purples, after the defeat by Suwon FC in March, Daejeon have picked up just five points from eight games played.

In March's encounter at Purple Arena, goals from Chisom and An Byong-jun gave the visitors all three points. The last time these two sides met in Suwon, the hosts emerged as victors in a 3-2 win with Baek Sung-dong netting a late winner.

Team News

Suwon FC 

No Suwon players are suspended for this week’s match. It will be a point to note whether Henri Anier will return to the starting eleven as it seems like he was out injured last week. Also, Kim Byung-oh’s presence in the team sheet would also be a threat to Daejeon for he is a player who can threaten the back line anytime he walks on the pitch.

Daejeon Citizen

Likewise, no player is to miss this week’s game through suspension but midfielder Shin Hak-young is a doubt through injury. However, Daejeon's decision to sack the Manager, Ko Jong-su on Tuesday could be another turning point for the team. It is the first sacking of manager for K League 2 up until Kim Hyun-soo's departure from Seoul E-Land earlier this week.

The Adversary

Daejeon Citizen head into Saturday's tricky away fixture with Suwon FC on a dismal run of form which has seen the Purples pick up just a point in their last five outings. Such a run was enough for the hierarchy at Purple Arena to pull the trigger on manager Ko Jongsoo who departs after just over a year at the helm. Former first team coach and current scout Park Chul will take over the reigns as caretaker, starting with Saturday's trip to Castle Park.

Under Coach Ko Daejeon lined up in a 4-1-2-3 formation but this could change given Park's appointment. As could the club's persistence with the same crop of players, despite poor performances. In experience at the back has cost the Purples with Ko preferring the likes of Lee Jisol and Yun Kyungbo to partner Yoon Shin-young, despite Hwang Do-yeon arriving on a free a few months ago. A new manager in charge could result in a clean slate for the likes of left back Jeon Sanghoon, centre back Kwon Young-ho, as well as Park Suchang and Shohruh Gadeov who have all struggled for game time.

Lee Jisol is away on international duty, as is Kim Se-yun, and Shin Hak-young remains a doubt through injury. However, the status of star forward Aurelian Chițu remains a mystery as the Romanian was left out of the matchday squad for the visit of Jeonnam last time out. It was rumoured that all three of the Purples' foreign stars were due to be replaced during the Summer transfer window meaning that, should the trio be absent come Saturday, it might just spell the end. Saturday's match doesn't come much trickier and so a point would be seen as a very good result given the circumstances.
-Paul Neat

Who To Watch

Suwon FC – An Byong-jun 

An Byong-jun was definitely the hero for last week’s match. He found the back of the net in the last minute to bag all three points for Kim Dae-ui's men. The North Korean import has already scored four goals this season and one of them is against Daejeon Citizen.

Daejeon Citizen – Yoo Hae-sung  

The Korean Jamie Vardy may have come to life last weekend. The 23-year-old forward, who was given the opportunity to start the game for the first time this season, will not have failed to please his manager as, although the team suffered a 2-1 defeat, Yoo’s goal in the first half gave Citizen a glimmer of hope. The forward does not come from an elite background as a football player having quit football as a 20-year-old to work at garage meaning that it was not a smooth journey leading up to his first goal at K League level. Yoo’s determination and spirit will be crucial for the Purples.

Prediction

Recent form dictates which team would most likely be smiling come the full time whistle on Saturday evening. Suwon are third and on a run of three straight wins and just one defeat in five whereas the Purples are languishing towards the bottom of the table.

Predicted Score: Suwon FC 2-1 Daejeon Citizen