Preview: Seoul E-Land Vs FC Anyang

Wednesday evening will set the stage for Seoul's third and final consecutive home game in the Seoul Olympic Stadium, Jamsil. After a stalemate against Jeonnam Dragons in the last round, round four of the 2020 K League 2 pairs Seoul E-Land up with FC Anyang.

Somewhat of a rivalry has been forged between the two sides over recent years. With both sides sharing the spoils last year. With the close proximity of the two sides, we could even be brash enough to suggest that this is even considered a derby of sorts. 

Last Time Out

FC Anyang played slightly before Seoul on Sunday, and things got off to a good start for the violets. Lee Jeong-bin slotted home the first for the side in the 22nd minute. This was not going to stay the same way however as Gyeongnam equalized due to a VAR penalty. Uros Djeric converted, and we moved onto the second half.

The second half came and Gyeognam struck again, an excellent shot from Hwang Il-su put the former K League 1 side ahead. This was turning into some game. Gyeongnam could only smile for moments though, as a second yellow card sent Jang Hyuk-jin off in the 76th minute. The 81st Kim Hyung-won made it 3-1 and flattened all Anyang hopes. In saying that, in the dying minutes of the game In Jeong-bin headed home a late consolation goal for Anyang in the 86th minute. Anyang could not find that equalizer, however, and Gyeongnam got their first win of the year. Wednesday is not big for Anyang.

Full Time: Fc Anyang 2-3 Gyeongnam FC


In what ended up a dull encounter, in the end, Seoul E-Land faced Jeonnam Dragons, on the Sunday evening kick-off. It may start to feel like groundhog day for Leopard fans, as another draw came from the fixture. Both teams cancelled one another out for the full 90. The only real chances came when either team broke away and started to counter-attack.

It was said in the preview against Jeonnam, that they will play from behind, and stick a lot of men behind the ball this year. That is exactly what they did. Not a fantastic game in all, but Seoul are still unbeaten in the league, this will please many Seoul fans.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 0-0 Jeonnam Dragons

Previous Meetings

The two teams had a mixed bag of fortunes between one another last week. It all started in April 2019, when Seoul ran out 4-1 winners. This was to be their first win of the season, and it was their biggest. The next one was 2-1 win for FC Anyang, which included a 90th-minute penalty to seal the side three points. The third game was one of Seoul's rare games back in the Olympic stadium. They ran out 2-0 winners that summer evening.

The final encounter would be one that Seoul would rather forget. They took a 5-2 battering down in Anyang. On what was a wet, and damp evening. Seoul's wheels completely fell off, and it could have been ten. Goals from Róbson Carlos and Kim Gyeon-Joon saved the side from a 5-0 whitewash. Something that was achieved against Busan IPark in the 2018 season. Seoul will be looking to get some revenge against Anyang. It is always a feisty affair when the two sides line up, with red cards in four of the last eight encounters between the two sides. 

Team News

Seoul E-Land have kept with a similar team in their first three games. Lee Sang-min has been the leader at the back. Also, noticeable names in the side are Kim Min-kyun and Kim Dong-gwon. Seoul may rotate on Wednesday however, and finally, give the not to Lazar Arsić to start.

For Anyang, some familiar names will pop up against E-Land. Kwon Gi-pyo will face the capital on Wednesday. The Korean played for Seoul in the previous season. Also, Nilson, who has scored against Seoul for Bucheon will most probably feature.
Fc Anyang will now also miss Lee Jeon-bin, who scored twice in the Gyeongnam game. He now has to go and complete his military service.

The Adversary

FC Anyang were the dark horses last year in the league. They climbed to a very respectable third place and can boast about beating Gwangju FC 7-1. A win in a league where Gwangju ran away with the trophy and were promoted with many games to spare. Their firepower came from Cho Kyu-sung, netting the ball 14 times last season. They had an unmatched forward line, which consisted of Alex, and Palacios. This year, however, the spark seemed to have fizzled out slightly. Alex moved to Ho Chi Min City, and Palacios made a move up to the K League 1, with Pohang Steelers.

Fc Anyang ran riot the last time the two sides faced off in the K League 2.

Their top scorer Cho Kyu-sung also went to see greener pastors, as he made his move to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the winter. FC Anyang have looked to rebuild. Seoul fans will recognise the name Kwon Gi-pyo, somewhat of a cult favourite amongst the leopard fans. He now plies his trade for the Violets. Anyang also brought in Nilson from Bucheon 1995. The Brazilian scored 10 goals for Bucheon last year and helped them to claim the last playoff spot on the last day of the 2019 regular season.

Fc Anyang will hope to make a push once again this year, with a new batch of talent arriving at the Anyang Stadium. from overseas, Anyang brought in Boadu Maxwell Acosty, Giyosov, and Maurides Roque Junior. Although new to the league, Anyang fans will be hopeful that the three forwards can link up well with the side.

Prediction

FC Anyang had a stellar year last season, finishing third, with a strong side. They have been late off the block however in 2020, still yet to find a win. If FC Anyang continues this poor start, Seoul may smell blood, and jump on this side. We have seen that Seoul have looked a lot more promising this year and if they are seriously thinking about reaching the playoffs. Then they will need to beat the likes of FC Anyang.

This will be the first time we will see teams play two games in a week, so fitness maybe tinged slightly going into this game. We may see a slight rotation and a different style of play from the two sides. This fixture, however, has been a classic in recent times, and Wednesday should be no exception to this rule.


Seoul E-Land 0-0 FC Anyang