Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Suwon FC

The old saying goes, you wait so long for a bus, and then two come along at once. This is true for Seoul E-Land. A team who waited months for a win are now currently two wins out of two. Better yet, the Leopards have finally returned home to an enthusiastic crowd who witnessed their win. This week, brings another 'Second division Super Match', as Suwon FC make the short journey up to Jamsil.

Overview

Via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Seoul returned to Jamsil on the weekend in the hope of giving the fans more promise in the league. Bucheon came to town and really came flying out of the traps. The 1995 men had the lion's share of the attack in the first half and had a number of one on ones with Seoul Keeper, Kim Youn-kwang. One chance in the 11th minute saw the ball actually go into the net. Jang Hyun-soo was the man on the score sheet, yet it was etched off, due to the assisting man, Kim Chan-hee being a yard or two offside. Seoul had a few chances, but they were mainly very off from the goal. Seoul had another scare in the 26th minute, as Moon Ki-han took a shot which was excellently parried away by Kim Young-kwang again. Glory was on real form in this game and it will be surprising if he is not in the K League-best 11 this week.

The second half came and so did more off-target shots from Seoul. In the 53rd minute, however, a swung in free-kick was dropped by Bucheon keeper Choi Cheol-won. A frantic scurry for the ball then occurred to see a poorly cleared ball rolled out to Duarte. The Brazilian set up the shot and was not going to miss, slotting it home from outside of the box. The first for the forward, and deserved due to his heroics in recent games. The game kicked-off again, and it was only four minutes later, where the scorer from last week Won Ki-jong found himself one on one with Choi Cheol-won. Unfortunately for the striker, his first time shot came off the post. Very unlucky and it easily could of seen the Leopards double on their lead.

The rest of the half was full of defensive errors from both sides, but nothing too spectacular. Alex Lima found himself almost getting on the score sheet in the 87th minute, with some questionable defending by ex- Seoul E-Land player Gam Han-sol. He managed to stick a foot in before the Brazilian fired home. A true heart in mouth moment occurred in injury time. A cross from Bucheon was met with a header from Lim Dong-hyuk. Glory again with the save, but he parried it straight to Nilson, who unbelievably fired it over the bar. It was a chance that looked harder to miss than to score. Seoul E-Land were very lucky to come out of the game with three points but, with the season they have had, luck is just what they needed.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 1-0 Bucheon 1995




Suwon welcomed an inform FC Anyang to Castle Park on Sunday, as they were desperately looking to find the form found earlier in the season. The Suwon men have found themselves with only one win in the last six games, and are starting to roll down the table. In the match itself, the main talking point came in the 26th minute, when Anier made a tackle on his opposite number, Kim Hyeong-jin. Comically, the referee showed the Estonian a red instead of a yellow by accident. It was quickly corrected and Anier was only cautioned. The joke soon turned sour, however, as ten minutes later, Anier elbowed Kim Hyeong-jin, the same player from his caution. He was shown a straight red this time, no mistakes from the ref.

The second half began, with the sending off being the main talking point of the first 45. Both teams took shots and near chances, but none were successful. The game livened up in the 81st minute, as a long-range effort from Kim Won-min graced past Park Hyung-soon and into the back of the net. It looked like Anyang may have stolen this one.  There was more excitement in the 87th minute however, as a high foot from Kim Sang-won on Park Yo-han was brought to a VAR decision. After checking the monitor, the referee called for a spot-kick to be taken. Baek Song-dong slotted the ball home for Suwon, and the two teams shared to spoils.

Full Time: Suwon FC 1-1 FC Anyang

Previous Meetings

The last time the two sides met was back in May in Suwon. It was becoming apparent by then that Seoul had a bit of a problem, but you may not have thought it in the first opening 30 minutes. It was the Leopards who had the ball in the net first, courtesy of Wesley Alex in the 24th minute. Suwon equalized however in injury time of the first half, as Anier levelled the score.

It was apparent that the goal flattered Seoul, as the team never really got going in the second half. Suwon really scored when it mattered most. The men in red and blue made it two only six minutes from the kick-off and then scored again in the 59th minute. Both goals came courtesy of Egbuchunam. Suwon had the spoils that evening, but they were playing a team down on their luck. This time, they play a lot more positive Leopards side.

Full Time: Suwon FC 3-1 Seoul E-Land

Team News

After slightly criticizing the 3-4-3 formation prior to the game against Jeonnam Dragons, it has appeared that the gaffer Woo Sung-yong is sticking to a winning formation and playing the exact same team as the 1-0 win in the last round. The current help from the midfield four is visible in the side, and so far it is working for Seoul. Lee Tae-ho found himself in the right back position again. The Korean has been excellent for the side since he joined.

The Seoul E-Land team who played Jeonnam Dragons in round 21, and Bucheon 1995 in round 22 of the 2019 K League 2. (Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/seouleland)

It may be three in a row for the formation on the weekend, as the side have good chemistry with one another. Balls are starting to meet players, and the passing is forever improving. If they can continue to push as a team, rather than individuals, then they are more than likely going to pick up a lot more points by the end of the season.

The Adversary

The main story coming out of Suwon for the game against Seoul is that they will be without two of their players for the game. Yoon Jun-song picked up a caution in the FC Anyang game which sees him suspended. The same goes for Anier, who as mentioned before, picked up a straight red in the last round.

An Byong-jun didn't feature in the game last week, but he currently is the joint top scorer with Egbuchunam on eight goals. If the two players start against Seoul, it could easily be their toughest test since this turn of fortune for the side.  A side sitting on zero goal difference, with 30 goals both scored and conceeded. It may not be the best viewing for a side pushing for the playoffs. When Suwon win, they do so emphatically, with more than one goal being scored. The same unfortunately goes for when they lose. It will be interesting to see which Suwon turn up to Jamsil on Monday night, but they may be caught off guard if they take the game too lightly.

Prediction

Seoul have had some good fortune of late, but I feel they need one more win to cement any kind of comeback. They were unlucky last week with Daejeon Citizen finally picking up a win, or they would have found themselves in 9th position. Suwon on the other had been immense earlier in the season. They have really taken it down a gear now though, and are desperate to get some form back in the side.

These two teams, with now a lot to play for, will meet on Monday night. For Seoul, it could really be the turning point if they could get something out of this, for Suwon, it is a chance to be contenders for the playoffs once more.

Predicted Score: Seoul E-Land 1-1 Suwon FC

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