Preview: Seoul E-Land Vs Suwon FC

The last round of the K League 2 saw only two victors throughout the five games, Seoul E-Land, and Suwon FC. Now the two sides will face off against one another in Jamsil on Saturday evening. After both teams has some midweek action in the FA Cup, attention returns back to K League action.

In what was a heroic victory for Seoul in their last game against Bucheon FC 1995, they will now have to contend with a Suwon FC side who are not top of the table and are leading the way with goals scored this year. With only three points separating the two sides, this could be another classic, when the two sides meet. Michael Redmond previews this one.

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land were up against a strong Bucheon FC 1995 side on Sunday evening. The game was an instant classic, from going 2-0 down, to winning the game 3-2. Michael wrote a full recap on this fixture. Seoul E-Land now climbs up to 5th in the league and have still only lost two games so far this year.

Match Recap: Bucheon FC 1995 2-3 Seoul E-Land  

Seoul were also in action in midweek in the FA Cup when they travelled away to Jeju United, in what was a disastrous affair for the capital side. Seoul were 2-0 going into injury time. Jeju, after six minutes of added time, managed to claw it back to 2-2. Then in extra time, Jeju clenched the winner. From 2-0 up, planning the next round. To being crashed out of the tournament. It must be said, however, that a lot of the first team players were rested, and there were some tired legs out there in extra time. However, it was not acceptable to be 2-0 up and draw in the space of three minutes.

Full Time: Jeju United 3-2 Seoul E-Land

Suwon had a tough ask, of facing the team with the best defensive record in the league in the last round. They travelled down to Gwanyang to face off with Jeonnam Dragons. After a stalemate first 45, most of the action came in the second half.

Suwon FC put two goals past the best defensive team in the K League 2, Jeonnam Dragons

In the 61st minute, Park Min-kyu swing in a beautiful cross, which was met by the head of Cho Yu-min. Suwon found themselves 1-0 up. They doubled their lead three minutes later, and a second headed goal for the away team. Danilo Alves was the scorer. Suwon then switched off slightly after the restart, as it took Jeonnam two minutes to find a response. A failed clearance from Suwon, lead to Lee Jong-ho making it 2-1. Suwon held on, however, and they managed to record a win away from home. The win leapfrogged them into 1st place as of a result of other performances in the league.

Full Time: Jeonnam Dragons 1-2 Suwon FC

Suwon had a better round in the FA cup. The K League 2 side knocked out Incheon United, of K League 1. They did have to go all the way to penalties to do so. Both Seoul and Suwon did rest a lot of players for their cup games mid-week, but they're still might be a drop of pace in the game on Saturday.

Full Time: Suwon FC 2-2 Incheon United (Suwon Fc Advanced on penalties)   

Previous Meetings

2019 saw the two sides share the spoils throughout the year in the K League 2. Both teams got one win apiece, and two draws last year. This will be the first time the two sides will meet in 2020. The last time the two sides met, was back in October when the two teams played out a 1-1 draw.

Suwon took the lead first in the game, Anier put them ahead in the 35th minute. Seoul responded shortly after the restart, however, with Durate evening up the game, in the 47th minute.

The two sides are having a lot better season, compared to their 2019 campaign. Seoul ended up dead last, and Suwon ended up 8th. To compare the two teams compared to last year. Seoul already have half the points now, than what they did for the full 2019 season, and Suwon have almost scored half of the number of goals.

Team News

Seoul E-Land proved on the weekend, that the team has leaders in that locker room. Captain Kim Min-kyun really stepped up to the plate and delivered a captain's performance. Leandro was once again, tearing up the defence in the Bucheon game, and has been excellent for Seoul this year. The boss went back to his 3-2-4-1 formation on the weekend, the added support in the middle of the park, is appearing to be Seoul success so far this year.

Leandro scored a brace against Bucheon FC 1995 in the last round of the K League 2..

Won Ki-Jong made his return mid-week in the cup. The Korean forward even scored in the tie. Ko Jae-hyeon, their new signing from Daegu FC started in the Bucheon game. He has some excellent passing in the game. We also saw new signing Jang yun-ho came on a substitute.  Seoul really need to be given credit when it is due, their bounce back, and performance after going two goals down was incredible. They have an issue however, they push themselves up to high, and sometimes get caught out. There was a number of times throughout the Bucheon game, which saw a through ball, lead to a Bucheon attacker, one on one with the keeper. Seoul really needs to stay tight at the back, or Suwon will run riot.

The Adversary

Suwon have been the dark hours this year. Everyone has been talking about other teams in contention, but Suwon just kept clawing away, and now find themselves top of the table. They also boast the best goals scored record, and have already got 17 this year. Their North Korean striker Ahn Byong-jun leads the golden boot race with seven goals this year. A team that worked on their performance of 2019, they have really show quality throughout the year.

Suwon have still not drawn a game so far this year, however, they do already have three losses to their name. It will be interesting to see is Suwon can keep this up for the remainder of the season. They are showing real teamwork, in their ranks. Suwon are also still in the FC cup, this means more games, and the squad will need to be rotated more. It will be interesting to see the depth of their team. 

Prediction

This is the toughest one to call. Seoul slipped up on the weekend, dropping two goals, before that heroic comeback. Suwon have also been scoring for fun and Seoul's defence will not welcome their strike force. Seoul have also had a number of 'big game' performances this year. They are still undefeated against any side above them in the table, you could even go as far to say that their losses to FC Anyang and Ansan Greeners were slip-ups. However, in saying that, slip-ups are the difference in being in contention, to being a mid-table team.

Both teams will have to be on their best defensively to cancel one another's attack out. Suwon can not give Leandro time on the ball, and Seoul's midfield are maestros of pinging it around the field this year. We could be up for a very entertaining game of football on Saturday evening.