Preview: Daejeon Hana Citizen vs Jeju United

After defeat last time out, Daejeon Hana Citizen will be looking to get back to winning ways and put their promotion push back on course Jeju United visit Purple Arena this Sunday in K League 2 Round 12. Daejeon have the second-best attack in the league but Islanders have won their last five away matches and have the second -est defence in the league. Whichever team comes out on top from this third versus second clash could gain the momentum needed to topple league leaders Suwon FC.

Overview

via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Daejeon Hana Citizen 1-4 Suwon FC

It was an evening to forget for Daejeon as league leaders Suwon FC ran riot at Purple Arena in a 4-1 win. Some slack marking allowed Ishida Masatoshi in on goal before slotting the ball past goalkeeper Kim Jin-young, who really ought to have done better. Then, handball in the box by Chapman led to a Suwon penalty which An Byong-jun duly stepped up to convert just before half time. Daejeon pulled one back on 75 minutes through Bruno Baio, firing in the rebound from Andre Luis' saved penalty. But two goals in the last five minutes compounded a miserable afternoon for Daejeon. On the counter, Lars Veldwijk, making his Suwon debut, saw his shot saved but Masatoshi was on hand to sweep home the loose ball. Then, in the 95th minute, an An Byong-jun rocket made it four.

Highlights



Seoul E-Land 1-2 Jeju United

Jeju United came from behind to seal a 2-1 win in the capital against Seoul E-Land last weekend. The Tangerines fell a goal behind on 50 minutes when Leandro converted his spot kick. But, just nine minutes later and Jeju were level through Ahn Hyun-beom. Then, with 77 on the clock, United found a winner with a penalty of their own - club captain Lee Chang-min stepping up to seal the points for Nam Ki-il's men.

Highlights

Previous Meetings

Daejeon made the one-hour flight to the Island on 23rd May in Round 2 of the 2020 season for what was the first meeting since 2015. On that afternoon, Jeju managed to let a two-goal lead slip and concede two in the last 10 minutes to lose 3-2 to Hwang Sun-hong's men. Gong Min-hyun scored his first goal in Jeju colours on 19 minutes before Joo Min-kyu made it two on 55, Gong with the assist. However, just shy of the hour mark, Daejeon were awarded a spot kick; up stepped Andre Luis to fire home and give the Purples a lifeline. On 70 minutes, Jeju captain Lee Chang-min was dismissed for what was adjudged to be a dangerous tackle on Park Jin-seop. The sending off seemed to give Daejeon the momentum they needed as Park Jin-seop then restored parity on 80 minutes from close range before substitute Yoon Seung-won sealed the comeback on 89 minutes.

In 2015, Daejeon and Jeju faced each other three times with the Islanders winning twice, including a 5-0 hammering in March that year, and a 4-2 win at Purple Arena. In between the two United wins was a 2-2 draw at Purple Arena. Overall, since 2006, there have been 24 meetings with Jeju picking up 12 wins to Daejeons seven and five draws.

Team News

Daejeon are expected to recall goalkeeper Kim Keun-bae to the starting lineup and defender Lee Woong-hee is due a return from injury. Elsewhere, Bruno Baio is suspended after picking up a fifth booking of the season in the 4-1 defeat to Suwon FC, Andre Luis is likely to be ushered in field to be played as a false nine. Yoon Seung-won, who bagged the late winner when these two sides met on the island, is a doubt with a knee injury. Meanwhile, fellow winger Park In-hyeok still has six matches left on his 10-game ban. New recruits Edinho and Seo Young-jae are still shy of match fitness and are not expected to be involved on Sunday. After last week's showing, manager Hwang Sun-hong may revert back to a five with Connor Chapman in defence and Koo Bon-sang in midfield. Centre back Hwang Do-yeon is also believed to be nearing a return from injury.

[READ: K League 2 Round 12 Preview]

Daejeon Hana Citizen lineup versus Suwon FC, K League 2 R11.

The Adversary

Under the stewardship of Nam Ki-il, Jeju United sit second in the K League 2 table and just two points behind Suwon FC. The Tangerines have the second stingiest defence in the division having shipped just eight goals from 11 matches, three of which came against Daejeon in the first meeting this season. Coach Nam's notoriously defensive traits have followed him from Seongnam to the Island as Jeju have the second-lowest xGA in K League 2 with just 8.88, only Bucheon have a better record at 8.37. Midfielder Kim Young-wook is suspended for Sunday's clash after picking up a fifth yellow and is sure to be a big miss as Jeju's leading key pass and assist maker. Former Daejeon youth prospect Kang Yoon-seong is likely to replace him. Meanwhile, Baek Dong-gyu could be dropped this week after his handball led to E-Land's penalty last week.

Jeju have won all but one of their away games this term, winning the last five after suffering a 1-0 loss to Jeonnam back in May. Four of the five wins have been by a single goal and two with cleansheets. United therefore have the best away record in the division and have actually only won won home match in the league in 2020, the 1-0 victory over Suwon FC in Round 6. United will be expected to take a conservative approach and try to hit Daejeon on the counter attack. It is very likely that Jeju will play three in attack - two wingers and one central striker - if they play four at the back, then Gong Min-hyun will likely be on the right. If it is a back three then, then Gong could start in midfield.

Jeju United starting lineup versus Seoul E-Land, K League 2 R11.

 

What To Watch

Ever-present Lee Ji-sol (L) challenges with Suwon's An Byong-jun .

How Daejeon respond to last week's heavy defeat to Suwon FC will be interesting. Hwang Sun-hong may want to revert to a back five but it will depend on the fitness of Lee Woong-hee as an experienced head is needed along side Lee Ji-sol and/or Lee Jung-moon at centre back. Jeju boast of one of the strongest attacks in the division with the likes of Joo Min-kyu, Jung Jo-gook and Gong Min-hyun on their books. The trio have eight goals between them, and Lee Chang-min has three. Daejeon's young back line will have to recover quickly from last week to keep Jeju at bay.

Prediction

Jeju's away record is the best in the division whilst Daejeon appear to be going through something of an identity crisis. Back three? Back four? Hwang doesn't seem to know what to do from one week to the next. But, the suspension of Bruno Baio might actually be a gift in disguise as it will mean Andre Luis will be shifted in field where he can run at players or find passes around the corner. If Daejeon can find a way to work the ball into the box then they have a chance but the Purples also really need to defend better. If Lee Woong-hee is back and Connor Chapman can martial the back line then the Purples have a chance. Otherwise, Jeju are favourites for an away win.

#KLUPod: K League 2 After 11 Rounds