Preview: Sangju Sangmu vs FC Seoul

FC Seoul take on Sangju Sangmu on Wednesday night in desperate need of a win. Choi Yong-soo's men will take comfort in knowing that they only have a few days to wait to right the wrongs of the 6-0 loss to Daegu FC last time out but the fans will be expecting a reaction. Sangju, meanwhile, are on a win-less run of their own and have a long list of injury worries to contend with ahead of the visit of the capital club.

Overview

via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Sangju Sangmu 2-4 Pohang Steelers

A brace each from Paločević and Iljutcenko for Pohang condemned Sangju to their first home defeat of the season. Iljutcenko got the Steelers up and running on 40 minutes, goalkeeper Kang Hyun-mu credited with the assist after the 25 year-old's clearance reached the the edge of Sangju's penalty area. Iljutcenko needed just two touches bring the ball under control before firing Pohang in front. But, the lead didn't last too long as the hosts were level just three minutes later, Oh Se-hun converting from close range after a miss-hit clearance was headed back towards goal by Moon Chang-jin. The first half wasn't over though as four minutes into time added on, Paločević restored Pohang's lead with an arrow of a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, Iljutcencko with the assist.

Five minutes after the restart and Iljutcenko had his second of the night, Paločević and Choi Young-jun combine to tee up the Russian striker who emphatically fired past Lee Chang-geun. Sangju, though, were handed a lifeline when Kwon Wan-kyu tripped Kim Bo-seop in the box on 70 minutes. Up stepped Oh Se-hun who fired in his second of the night and second since starting his military service. Pohang were able to restore their two-goal advantage, though, when Paločević sealed his and a third brace of the night 12 minutes from time with a left-footed strike from the edge of the box.

Highlights



Daegu FC 6-0 FC Seoul

FC Seoul fell to their worst-ever defeat as Choi Yong-soo's men suffered a humbling six-nil loss to Daegu FC on Sunday. As good as Daegu were, Seoul were equally as bad and looked to be already beaten as soon as the first goal went in after 10 minutes. Carved open on the counter attack with relative ease, Cesinha gave Daegu the lead. A second followed on 34 minutes, Kim Dae-won, who was instrumental for the first, finding the bottom corner with aplomb. Then, a Park Chu-young own goal on 34 put Daegu well and truly out of sight; the veteran striker's defensive header looped over goalkeeper Yu Sang-hun as he tried to clear Cesinha's cross.

Another counter attack and Daegu were 4-0 up, Kim Dae-won with his second of the night. But, if there was a goal that truly summed Seoul's night up, it was the fifth. Daegu were awarded a penalty following a clumsy challenge in the box by rookie defender Kang Sang-hee. Up stepped Japanese midfielder Tsubasa who saw his spot-kick saved but Seoul midfielder Jung Hyeon-cheol, tracking back to try and clear, bundled the ball into his own net. A calamitous goal which appeared to cap off a truly miserable night. That was until FC Seoul legend, Dejan Damjanović, came off the bench to nod in a sixth and add insult to injury.

Match Report: here

Highlights

Previous Meetings

Sangju Sangmu and FC Seoul met three times last season with the capital club picking up two wins to Sangju's one. The most recent encounter was at Sangam where Seoul suffered a 2-1 defeat, despite going a goal ahead. Ryu Seung-woo had Sangju 1-0 up midway through the first period with a goal that was enough to see Kim Tae-wan's men lead at the break. However, an Alexsandar Pešić header from Osmar's cross gave Seoul drew Seoul level immediately after the restart. But, it was the visitors who would go on to seal all three points Song Si-woo on 86 minutes. T

he most recent meeting in Sangju resulted in a 3-1 Seoul win thanks to goals from Pešić (2) and Alibaev. The last 10 meetings have produced just one draw but Seoul have had the slight advantage with four wins to Sangju's three.

Team News

FC Seoul have a couple of injury concerns; Osmar remains a doubt and Hwang Hyun-soo is also unlikely to feature having missed the trip to Daegu through injury. At DGB Daegu Bank Park, young defender Kang Sang-hee was preferred to the experienced Kim Won-sik and Yang Yu-min got a first start in place of Ko Kwang-min. Meanwhile, Kim Won-kyun has been out in over a year - limiting Choi Yong-soo's options at centre back.

At the other end of the field, fitness concerns over Adriano and the soon-to-be-outgoing Aleksandar Pešić has meant that 34-year-old Park Chu-young has played in every single match thus far this term. The likes of Ju Se-jong and Go Yo-han could be recalled to the starting lineup, while Yang Han-bin could be given a first start of 2020 in goal.

[READ: 2020 K League 1 Round 7 Preview]

FC Seoul lineup vs Daegu FC, K League 1 Round 6.

For Sangju, after being involved in a road traffic accident, Oh Se-hun and Kim Bo-seop both missed the first few matches as a precaution. The pair are back Sangju's injury worries are continue to plague their start to the new season. Jeon Se-jin remains a doubt after the on-loan Suwon Bluewings forward lasted just five minutes of the 1-1 draw with Busan in Round 5 after picking up an ankle injury. Central midfielder Han Seok-jong and centre back Kim Min-hyeok both limped off during the defeat to Pohang last time out and are strong doubts for the visit of Seoul. Former Bayer Leverkusen winger Ryu Seung-woo is another in the treatment room at Sangju Civic Stadium after being forced off due to injury in the draw with Busan at the beginning of June.

However, a fresh batch of recruits are now available for selection, including FC Seoul duo Park Dong-jin and Jung Won-jin - the former made his Sangju bow at the weekend. Meanwhile, Sim Sang-min, Kim Yong-hwan, Woo Ju-sung, Heo Young-jun, Lee Jeong-bin, Kang Ji-hun, Oh Hyun-gyu and Jung Jae-hee should also available after completing basic military training. 

Sangju Sangmu lineup vs Pohang Steelers, K League 1 Round 6.

The Adversary

Sangju Sangmu have experienced something of an indifferent start to the new season. Kim Tae-wan's men sit in sixth place after two wins, two draws and two defeats. The army side's most recent loss, a 4-2 reverse to Pohang Steelers at the weekend, has extended their win-less run to three. Much like Wednesday's opponents Seoul, Sangju are suffering from a leaky defence and have the joint-second worst defensive record in the league with 10, with an xGA of 10.09. Sangju has faced the fourth-most number of shots in K League 1 this term with 74 but have made the most blocks with 21. From a creative standpoint, Sangju are third for progressive runs but third-bottom in terms of of key passes made with 13.

With injury worries, Coach Kim has struggled to find his best team. So far, the former Daejeon Citizen defender has made the second-must number of subs with 15. Furthermore, only three players have featured in all six matches: Kim Jin-hyeok, Kang Sang-woo, and former FC Seoul midfielder Park Yong-woo. In terms of formation, Sangju have been set up in a 4-4-2 for the most part. Passing accuracy has been solid at 81% and possession-wise they rank fifth in the division with 51%

What To Watch

How FC Seoul respond to the six-nil humbling will be very interesting. Choi Yong-soo's post-Daegu comments were those of regret, but the usual rhetoric of preparing well for the next match through hard work was about as far as the former striker got. This defeat has to serve as a wake-up call, for both Choi and the players. Is the back three working? Given that Seoul have the worst defensive record in the division with 15 goals conceded suggests it isn't. Not only will personnel changes will be expected, but tactical tweaks too. Choi had spoke of some tactical changes during the break but will recent results force his hand further. Seoul are first for defensive duels and first for success rate at 61%. Also, third for interceptions with 261, 40.99 per 90 minutes. But, Seoul's xGA is the second-worst in K League 1 with 10.27 and so with 15 goals shipped, they are performing well below what will be expected of them.

Prediction

FC Seoul simply have to respond or more pressure will be heaped on manager Choi Yong-soo. Another defeat could also mean a 12-point gap between themselves and the league leaders. If the capital club are to really get their season back up and running then a win in North Gyeongsang has to be achieved. That said, Sangju have scored before half-time in their last four home games and will be looking for a reaction of their own. A draw might be the most likely out come of this one.