Recap: Busan victorious in six-goal thriller

Busan IPark extended their unbeaten run to five games thanks to an enthralling 4-2 victory away at Gangwon FC. Lee Dong-jun was the star of the show bagging a brace and setting up Lee Jeong-hyeop's opener. Kim Byung-soo's side continue their alarming slump with four consecutive defeats in K League 1. 

What Happened?

Both teams started at a high tempo but it was the visitors who took the lead as a lively Lee Dong-jun crossed for Lee Jeong-hyeop to finish with a deft touch on ten minutes. Under the watchful eye of Korean National Team manager Paulo Bento in the stands, neither did their call up hopes any harm. Gangwon almost struck back immediately striking the post, a warning shot that the Royals did not heed as Cho Jae-wan finished off a free-flowing move for the hosts in the 15th-minute.

Unmarked in the box, Lee Jeong-hyeop nearly bagged a second but was denied by a point-blank save from Lee Gwang-yeon after the break. The hour-mark brought about a Lee Dong-jun masterclass, showing great composure to curl home his first with time to think on the left before arriving late in the box to double Busan's advantage just two minutes later. With 15 minutes remaining, Han Kook-young kept his composure inside the box to ensure a nervy finale for Cho Duk Jae's men, halving Busan's lead to make it 3-2. Sealing the three points, Kim Jin-gyu's fierce shot from 15 yards also profited from good work from Lee Dong-jun.

Fruitless Gangwon

After the frantic start, Gangwon settled into their passing style and unlocked the Busan defence on numerous occasions in the first half. Kim Byung-soo will have been pleased at the pace and incisiveness of his side's passing, which led to the opening goal. Ko Moo-yeol in particular made some great decisions, remaining calm around the edge of the box. Despite this football being pleasing on the eye, as Busan took hold of the game through the two quickfire Lee Dong-jun goals, Kim's Gangwon men became more frantic and frustrated in their approach.

Han Kook-young's goal set up a tense finish in Gangneung.

Bento's Takeaway

Sat in the empty stands in Gangneung with three colleagues, Paulo Bento has chosen to attend Gangwon games more than any other team in the K League this season. With potential squad members on both sides, the Portuguese boss will likely have been watching players such as Kim Seung-dae, Cho Jae-wan, Lee Jeong-hyeop and Lee Dong-jun. Unfortunately for Kim Moon-hwan, presumed injured, he was unable to show the quality that his seen him stand out in a Busan shirt at right back this season. As well as getting on the score sheet twice, Lee Dong-jun put in a fine shift on the left wing. Covering an inexperienced full back in Lee Sang-jun, the 23-year-old claimed the assist for the opener and showed quality on the break. 

Busan settling in

This victory marks a watershed moment for the south coast club, with a real performance of attacking intent against a side expected to make the top six come the split. While looking exposed in the first half to Gangwon's "Byung-soo Ball" style of play, they appeared much more comfortable in the second and incredibly jumped from 11th place to 6th in the K League table, leapfrogging above Gangwon. More pessimistic fans among the Gudeok fan base will also be pleased that the three points also extends their advantage over bottom-placed Incheon United to nine points. If they can sort a leaky defence and avoid injuries to key men, then survival should be comfortable.