FA Cup Quarter Finals Preview

As we reach the business end of the cup some intriguing ties await with four matches that pit K League sides against their non-league rivals. With just one win separating all eight teams from a two-legged semi-final the chance at glory for those non-K League teams has never been greater. 

Tuesday, July 2nd

Changwon City (NL) vs Sangju Sangmu (K1) 19:00

The first FA Cup quarter final match to take place is on Tuesday night when K League 1 side Sangju Sangmu head to the south coast to take on National League outfit Changwon City. Sangju will be keen to bounce back from Friday’s defeat to Seongnam FC, a defeat which saw the army side split to sixth in the K League 1 table. Kim Taehwan’s men have been in an indifferent patch of form of late with three defeats in their last seven and two wins. The North Gyeongsang-based side edged past Jeju United in the previous round thanks to a penalty shootout victory following a 1-1 draw. In fact, in both the previous rounds, Sangju have needed penalty shootouts to book their place in the next round.

National League side Changwon City dumped K League 2 FC Anyang out in the previous round thanks to a 2-1 extra time win with goals from Jung Kiwoon and Kim Sangwook. Changwon entered the competition in the third round where a 3-0 win over Hanyang University was enough to set up a home tie with Yeungnam University. A 2-1 win over Yeungnam paved the way for the trip to the capital region against the Violets, FC Anyang. Said win was Changwon’s only previous K League scalp having fallen to defeats in their seven previous cup clashes with K League opposition. In eight previous encounters with non-K League opposition, Sangju have a record of played eight, won five and lost three. Only one of the defeats was against National League opposition - a 1-0 home reverse to Gyeongju KHNP in April 2015.

- Paul Neat

Wednesday, July 3rd

Gyeongnam FC (K1) vs Hwaseong FC (K3A) 19:00

Gyeongnam FC finally managed to slightly change the atmosphere within the club at the weekend and although the Reds didn't score when they traveled to the Suwon World Cup Stadium, Gyeongnam looked stable in defence and gave fans hope that they could improve in the remaining league games. The FA Cup remains Gyeognam's only conceivable chance at glory this year the the team will surely put all their efforts into winning this competition. Jordon Mutch returned from injury this weekend and will be a big bonus to an injury plagued Gyeongnam outfit. The Changwon based team will expect Mutch and Castaignos to do well enough against Hwaseong on Wednesday night.

Hwaseong FC may belong to the K3 Advanced League, but the Reds will have to be careful because Hwaseong currently sit in second place in the K 3 League. In previous rounds, Hwaseong proved they can do it with the big boys, defeating the Ansan Greeners by three goals to two. Hwaseong FC is unlikely to have anything to fear from their position as underdogs. They boast a sharp attack and displayed that in their recent game against Chuncheon FC by scoring five goals. If Hwaseong plays aggressively from the beginning of the game they might just pull off another surprise.

- Chris Park

Daejeon Korail (NL) vs Gangwon FC (K1) 19:00

The biggest giant killers of the 2019 FA Cup, Daejeon Korail, will have home advantage when they take on Gangwon FC on Wednesday evening and will hope to pull off a shock home win, as they did in the 4th round when they beat Ulsan Hyundai. Daejeon have had some indifferent form in the National League and they currently sit mid table after only one win in seven since that victory over Ulsan.

Gangwon will make the journey south in good spirits having recorded back-to-back victories for the first time since late May with a victory over lowly Incheon United at the weekend. Daejeon will need to guard against the likes of Cho Jae-wan, who has four goals in his last 3 matches, and Jung Jo-gook, who has three goals in his last two appearances.

- Scott Whitelock

Suwon Bluewings (K1) vs Gyeongju HNP (K3A) 19:30

The Suwon Bluewings are perhaps the best placed team to challenge for this trophy and will feel that they have a fantastic shot at reclaiming the trophy they won in 2016 if they can see off the challenge of Gyeongju. The Bluewings only have one win in their last five games but have been impressive in this tournament and are yet to concede a goal in the cup this year. Suwon boast some impressive firepower and in Adam Taggart they have one of the most talented players remaining in the tournament.

However, they face a Gyeongju side who are riding high in the National League winning their last four games in all competitions. They have already disposed of Cheongju, Gimpo Citizen and Busan Transportation Corporation FC on their way to this stage but Suwon will be the first league opponents that they have faced in 2019. The pair did meet in the early stages of cup in 2016, a night on which Gyeongju held Suwon to a 1-0 win and could have stolen the tie on another night, which they are sure to take encouragement from.

- Scott Whitelock