Preview: Ansan Greeners vs Busan IPark

Ansan Greeners host title chasing Busan IPark at the Wa Stadium this Saturday evening, as U20 World Cup finalist Hwang Tae-hyeon makes his homecoming. Can the Taeguk Warriors captain inspire fifth placed Ansan to continue pushing for a top four place, or will Busan maintain their excellent form?

Last Time Out

Daejeon Citizen 1-3 Ansan Greeners

The Greeners left it late in their trip to the science city as a late double saw the Green Wolves claim a vital 3-1 win at Daejeon. Lee Ho-bin opened the scoring for Daejeon after just eight minutes, despite Ansan having the better of the game. Kim Jun-wuk thought he had pulled Ansan level, however after the celebrations died down the goal was controversially ruled out for offside. The Wolves huffed and puffed for much of the rest of the game, and it looked like this was going to be another disappointing afternoon.

However, Gustavo Vintecinco struck from close range to give Ansan an equaliser with twenty minutes remaining, bagging his fifth of the season in the process. Ansan continued to push but a second was not forthcoming until Jang Hyeokjin was felled in the box late on, a penalty being awarded following a VAR referral. The talismanic Ansan midfielder duly dispatched the spot kick to seemingly snatch the three points for Ansan in the final minutes.

However Daejeon did not give up and a speculative long range strike went to VAR under suspicion of a hand ball in the Ansan box by Park Jun-hui. There was nothing given however, and the subsequent Ansan attack saw Jang lay the ball off for Bang Chang-jun to finish with a fine strike to seal the points and ensure that the Daejeon house was in fact made of straw. Once again VAR was a major talking point between these two sides after the issues at the Wa Stadium on the opening day, only this time the Green Wolves will feel justice was done.

Highlights: here

FC Anyang 1-3 Busan IPark

IPark made it eight wins in twelve as they swept aside FC Anyang 3-1. They left it late though as Lee Jeong-hyeop did not open the scoring until the 80th minute, converting a penalty to put the south-east coasters ahead. Novothny doubled IPark's lead, before Lee scored another, and his twelfth of the season, to put Busan IPark 3-0 up.

Palacios grabbed a late consolation for Anyang which may stick in IPark craw somewhat as they have only managed four clean sheets all season. Cho Dukje's side remain in second however, just two points behind and level on goal difference with Gwangju.

Highlights: here

Previous Meetings

Ansan were roundly thumped 3-0 back in April, as Lee Jeong-hyep, Rômulo and Lee Dong-jun scored the goals for IPark. Ansan will instead be looking back to their performances last season were they managed to twice stop a Busan side that probably should have done more to win promotion to K League 1.

Team News

Lee Jun-hee picked up his third yellow of the season last time out, and will therefore be suspended for this game. The goalkeeper rotation continues with Hwang In-jae making his fifth appearance of the season between the sticks. That may continue given that Lee Hee-seong was originally dropped for his performance in the previous match between these two sides. Hwang Tae-hyeon is also back in contention after leading the Korea U20 side to the World Cup Final.

For Busan, Perth born defender Aleksander Šušnjar picked up his sixth yellow card of the season against Anyang and will sit this one out. Midfielder Park Jong-woo is also missing as he picked up his third yellow in that game.

Who To Watch

Given the media attention over the past week, this match is surely all about Hwang Tae-hyeon, the twenty year-old who has only ever made three appearances for the Greeners, the last being back in April. Despite never completing 90 minutes in his professional senior career, Hwang captained the Korea U20 side to the final of the U20 World Cup in Poland, with the young Taeguk Warriors losing in the final to the Ukraine. With several TV appearances, and a lot of build-up around the city, surely Hwang will make an appearance at some point in this game, as the crowd looks to be bolstered by locals wanting to get a look at the young wolf.

Prediction

Despite Ansan's winning run, IPark know how to win a game. The Jeonnam  defeat aside, back in April, IPark know they have to keep the pressure on Gwangju and will be looking to take the sparkle off of Hwang's homecoming. However, this Busan side leaks goals, and if Ansan can get at them early, then they have a chance to keep up their own push for a top four place.

Predicted Score: Ansan Greeners 2-1 Busan IPark