Preview: Daejeon Hana Citizen vs FC Anyang

Daejeon Hana Citizen take on FC Anyang this Tuesday night for the Purples'  rearranged last home match of the 2020 Hana 1Q K League 2 season. It's quite simple for Citizen -- the game is a must-win if they are to extend their season and reach the playoffs. 

Overview

via Soccerway

Last Time Out

Jeonnam Dragons 1-2 Daejeon Hana Citizen

Daejeon Hana Citizen got their playoff push back on track after a 2-1 away win over fellow top four hopefuls Jeonnam Dragons. Brazilian attacking midfielder Edinho bagged a brace for what were his first two goals in K League. The first came in the 35th minute, Edinho, exchanging passes with Bruno Baio before tucking the ball under goalkeeper Oh Chan-sik. The Brazilian's second came just after the hour mark, Edinho quickest to react after former Dragon Bruno Bruo Baio's header was parried away. Jeonnam pulled one back through Lee Jong-ho from close range to ensure of a nervy ending but Daejeon held on.

Highlights

FC Anyang 1-2 Suwon FC

The Violets were in action last weekend, losing to playoff finalists Suwon FC by two-goals-to-one. Centre back Choi Kyu-baek put Suwon in front on 20 minutes before Boadu Maxwell Acosty levelled early in the second half. But, three minutes from time, South African international striker Lars Veldwijk found the winner to seal the points for Suwon.

Highlights

Previous Meetings

Incredibly, the last four meetings between these two sides have resulted in draws. The most recent was a scoreless draw at Anyang Civic Stadium in August. Prior to which, the two teams played out a six-goal thriller in June at Purple Arena where Anyang came back from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 heading into the latter stages. However, a last gasp Lee Jung-moon equaliser spared Daejeon's blushes. Last season each side won one match each and drew twice.

Overall, there have been 22 meetings between Daejeon Hana Citizen and FC Anyang with both teams winning six matches, the remaining 10 encounters ended in draws.

[READ: Column: Why it's gone wrong for Daejeon]

Team News

Daejeon manager Cho Min-gook has a relatively full squad to choose from, excluding long term absentees such as goalkeeper Kim Dong-jun. Left back Lee Kyu-ro is back fit and made a cameo appearance off the bench in Gwangyang on Saturday. The Purples have no suspensions of which to be concerned with but Andre Luis is one booking away from serving a suspension.

Daejeon starting lineup vs Jeonnam Dragons, K League 2 R25

Anyang will be without Yoo Jong-hyeon following the defender's red card in the 2-0 away win over Chungnam Asan. Hwang Moon-ki is also out having picked up five bookings and will serve a one-match ban. 

FC Anyang starting lineup vs Suwon FC, K League 2 R27

[READ: Jeju United win 2020 Hana 1Q K League 2]

The Adversary

FC Anyang haven't quite been able to hit the heights that they did in 2019. This year the Violets sit second from bottom heading into this Tuesday's rescheduled clash with the Purples but do so knowing that three points would move them into a seventh place finish. Kim Hyung-yul's FC Anyang side have won just twice at home this season - not the sort of form a playoff-chasing team would need. But it does bode well for them that four of their six wins this season have come away from home. Interestingly, in all four, the Violets kept clean sheets. However, four of their six wins have come against teams which are currently below them in the table, including two victories over Chungnam Asan. That said, Anyang can boast of two wins against third placed Seoul E-Land and were minutes away from victory against Daejeon in the previews Purple Arena meeting this year.

Despite resting in ninth place, FC Anyang rank third in K League 2 this season for shots made, fourth for shots dispatched per 90 minutes, third most from open play but seventh overall for shooting accuracy.

 

Who To Watch

Bruno Baio

His goal tally in 2020 is modest to say the least having bagged just four in 17 appearances overall. However, with it being the stage of the season where it is simply do or die, Baio can play a big role in the Purples reaching the playoffs. Having Baio as the focal point helped Daejeon onto their win over Jeonnam, both goals came through him in some shape or form, with players looking to the Brazilian as a target man or someone to play off. If he and his fellow countrymen Edinho and Andre can find a way to work together, much like they did in Gwangyang against the Dragons, then Daejeon stand a chance.

FC Anyang

Kwon Yong-hyun

On-loan attacking midfielder Kwon Yong-hyun is the Violets' leading assist maker with three and joint-third top goal-scorer with three in 17 appearances overall. The 29-year-old arrived in Gyeonggi Province on a short term loan deal from Busan IPark and has largely operated from the right-hand side even when being deployed as a striker. His ability to run at defenders with close control will be something for Daejeon to keep an eye on.

Prediction

Daejeon will be under pressure to get the result but with nothing to play for, Anyang might already be on their holidays. Daejeon should win this but, given how 2020 has gone for the Purples so far, it might not be straight forward. A narrow 1-0 or 2-1 win.