Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Daejeon Citizen

This Saturday brings the first of the final three rounds of the 2019 K League 2 season. A game in which will see Seoul E-Land wave goodbye to their temporary home in Cheonan. With only one win in their tenure there, can they finally end their home away from home lease on high? 

They will take on A Daejeon Citizen side looking to stay away from 10th at all cost. With no win since August for Seoul, and Daejeon now steadying their ship. Saturday could cement the last position for Seoul E-Land, for the second season in a row.

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land traveled down to Suwon on Sunday, after the long international break. Seoul have not won now for two months and were looking to take the game to Suwon. It was a game that had it's first talking point in the 20th minute. Lee Tae-ho attempted to clear the ball against Egbuchunam. The referee saw an issue with this however and called for a Suwon penalty. After the referee went to VAR, he canceled the call. 15 minutes later, Suwon had another chance, and a well-placed cross met Anier. The Estonian put the ball past Kim Young-kwang, and the home team were one up.

Seoul E-Land came out in the second half a different side and continued to push for an equalizer. It took them only 90 seconds to do so. A completely unmarked Duarte was left in close proximity with Suwon's goalmouth, 1-1. A very creative celebration followed from the Brazilian, game on. Seoul continued to press for a winner, it was all for the capital coming into the final third. However, it was not to be, and points between the two were shared for a second time this year.

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



Daejeon made the journey up to Asan on Saturday. A win for Daejeon would see them stretch their lead to seven points from the bottom. Asan were looking to still remain in contention for a play-off position, regardless of their fate in the league. After a lackluster first half, A moment of magic came for the Citizen club. Matheus Pato managed to knock the ball past Jeon Hyo-seok and run from the halfway line to Asan's goal. A finessed shot put Daejeon 1-0 to the good.

Asan managed to equalize later into the game. Oh Se-hun slot the ball past Daejeon and put the home team level. However, VAR got into play, and he was marked offside. Some frantic Daejeon defense then pursued for the remainder of the game. Daejeon kept their cool, however, and recorded three well-deserved points.

Full Time: Asan Mugunghwa 0-1 Daejeon Citizen  

Previous Meetings

The last time the two met, was back during Chuseok in the World Cup stadium. A game which would be remembered by not only the poor statue of the pitch, but by the poor state of football which unraveled that evening. The game was marked by an Ahn Ji-ho red card in the 54th minute, dropping Seoul E-Land down to ten men.

It looked as if Seoul could cling onto a 0-0 draw away from home, but in the 82nd minute, a penalty was called. Kim Seung-sub stepped up and put the Citizens 1-0 up. The home side held onto their lead, and it was their first win in over a month. Daejeon have now only lost one game since the clash back in September.

Team News

Seoul E-Land had some positive returns against Suwon. Kwan Gi-pyo and Wesley Alex were back in the squad, and on the bench. Seoul played 3-4-3 on Sunday, and it looked as if they played with more confidence, especially in the second half. Duarte again was there with the goal for Seoul, he has become the hero for the Leopards since the summer.

Duarte celebrates his goal against Suwon Fc.

What do Seoul E-Land do now with only three games left? There is nothing more to play for. Does the boss Woo sung-yong play the young players who will be fighting for a spot in the side next year? Or will Seoul stay with their strongest team, in the hopes of securing at least one more win before the season is out?

The Adversary

Daejeon Citizen have just not done what was asked of them this year. After a resurgence at the end of the 2018 season, fans were hopeful. Daejeon have had a lot of issues on and off the pitch this year. However, things might be looking up now. Recently, it has been announced that KEB Hana Bank is going to take over the club, and it may bring some well-needed finance into the team.

Daejeon will no look to end the season strong now, keep some key players, and strengthen the side once more. 9th place is not last, and they can settle with not being the worse team in the league. It might just be the spark they need to rebuild.

Prediction

Daejeon Citizen and Seoul E-Land have both had a lackluster, boring, and mundane 2019 season. Fans expected more off both teams, and they have failed to impress. This game on Saturday will show nothing spectacular, and will more than likely be the final nail in the coffin for Seoul. It is time for them to lick their wounds, and recoup for 2020.

Things look bleak for the Leopards. However, maybe the return to Seoul for the last game of the season is on their mind. Saturday could hopefully send the Cheonan faithful off with a win. Yet, I very much doubt this will happen.


Seoul E-Land 0-2 Daejeon Citizen