Preview : FC Anyang vs Asan Mugunghwa

FC Anyang welcome back Asan Mugunghwa after facing off with them seven games ago. With three wins on the bounce, six goals scored and only two conceded, can Anyang get some redemption from their 1-0 loss at home last time these teams met? 

Last Time Out

Anyang 2-1 Daejeon Citizen

Anyang maintained their winning streak on Monday after holding off some second half momentum by Daejeon. Anyang started off the brighter of the two teams with early attempts on goal, despite most of those efforts going wide of the mark or easily saved. It was clear Anyang had an advantage that they could exploit due to their wide formation. 

And that is where the first goal came from. After forcing Daejeon's defence to mark man to man a gap was formed. The gap was expertly found by Yoo Yeun-sung who played a long diagonal ball over the defence. The man of the moment, Cho Kyu-sung, saw the pass and found himself at an acute angle, one on one with the goalkeeper. With confidence high he coolly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

It was Cho Kyu-sung who scored the second for Anyang, as the young striker, who has been nicknamed 'Sniper', added his eighth of the season. Palacios again involved utilizing his pace on the wing and a simple cross in by the overlapping left back found the head of Cho Kyu-sung.

With the game coming to an end and Daejeon ,although controlling possession, still looked devoid of any ideas for how to break down the Anyang defence. It wasn't until injury time that An Sang-hyun scored a penalty, due to an alleged handball by the Anyang defence. Unfortunately it was too little too late for Daejeon and their run of losses continued.

Full match highlights can be found here.

Asan Mugunghwa 1-1 Jeonnam Dragons
Asan Mugunghwa were held to a draw at home verses the Jeonnam Dragons in a strange game that saw only twenty players finish the game. The game was an entertaining game from a spectator's  standpoint as the first half saw two goals scored within five minutes of each other. The first goal was for the away side, as Bruno Nunes skillfully weaved past four Asan defenders to slot past the goalkeeper.

The lead didn't last very long as four minutes later, Ko Moo-yeol equalized after desperate attempts by the Jeonnam players to clear the ball failed. Ko Moo-yeol found himself with the ball at his feet five years from goal. With a tame effort the ball luckily wriggled over the line after a near save by Park Jun-hyuk. The game then changed pace after those hectic five minutes, the game slowing down suited Jeonnam and despite losing two players in, Nicholas Ansell to a straight red card offence, and Lee You-hyeon after two yellow cards for persistent fouling. Jeonnam managed to hold out for a draw.

Full match highlights can be found here.

Previous Meetings

Anyang have a mixed record with Asan Mugungwha. With both sides seeming to alternate who wins each time they play each other. In their last five encounters, Asan have three wins and Anyang have two. With the last game going in the favor of Asan with a one to nil victory. 

This is a positive omen for Anyang as it could mean they're due their victory. With recent form of three wins in a row, Anyang are playing very well and using a unique style of aggression and counter attacks. Which could exploit a very pass heavy Asan side. However, Asan have only one loss in their last ten games. They're defensively savvy and very hard for any side to exploit. With pedigree of being a top four team, even winning the league last year. It's going to be a very tense and tight match for both sides, with both teams not wanting to lose momentum mid way through the season. 

Team News

Anyang haven't got any major injury concerns, apart from the lack of defender Ryu Eon-jae who sustained an injury. The defender is an important part of the Anyang defence playing 88% of the time for Anyang this season and specifically playing very well in recent games. It should be manageable as Yu Jong-hyeon should fill in for the time being. It's never ideal to lose a player before a match as important as this, but if only one injury is a problem for Anyang mid way through a season then they can count themselves lucky. 

The Adversary

As mentioned Asan Mugunghwa are on an incredible run of form, they've only lost one game out of ten. Which was an unfortunate two nil loss away from home against, at the time, high scoring Suwon FC. The most impressive part of their form has been the defensive stability. They have kept clean sheets in five of their last ten games. Proving that they have both the attacking ability and the defensive prowess. Asan have been worse on the road when compared to at home, but this is only marginal.

An added benefit for Asan is the extra rest time, as Anyang had to play a Monday fixture. This shouldn't be a huge impact as Asan have few injuries anyway so the extra recovery shouldn't play much of a factor, but it could be important in the last ten minutes if the game is tight as predicted.

What To Watch

There isn't anyone more inform in the league at the moment than the young striker for Anyang, Cho Kyu-sung. The player has been getting media attention for his recent performances and his goal scoring has been phenomenal with three goals in his last two games alone. He will no doubt be leading the line for Anyang and causing problems for Asan with his darting and never ending runs. He will be trying to repeat his performances of last week which won him MVP of the league. Watch out for the 21 year old to showcase his ability.

Also, watch for the importance of this clash. It's fourth verses third in the league with either team getting an advantage going forward for the all important play offs. Both sides will be defensively astute and capable going forwards. This should be a very interesting fixture.

Prediction

With both sides not wanting to lose and having an identical record so far in the season. They could maintain that identical record as a draw is the most likely prediction. Despite Anyang's momentum and form right now, Asan are a very consistent and dangerous team going forwards and defending. It's most likely another 1-1 result for Asan like last week.

FC Anyang 1-1 Asan Mugunghwa