Tight at the Top: Daejeon Hana Citizen Vs Seoul E-Land

 

Seoul E-Land will play their second game in four days when they make the journey to play Daejeon Hana Citizen. After a historic FC Cup win in the Seoul World Cup Stadium against FC Seoul. The Leopards proved that the capital city of Korea is indeed, blue. 

Attention now turns back to the 2021 K League 2, where there is a title race beginning to emerge between Seoul E-Land and Daejeon Hana Citizen. Both teams will clash on Saturday in what will be three vital points for either side. A win for Daejeon will put them four points ahead. A win for Seoul will launch them back into 1st place, after their shocking 1-0 loss to Chungnam Asan the week prior. Michael Redmond previews this one here. 

Seoul is Blue...

The Seoul derby was a much-anticipated event for both sets of fans. FC Seoul and Seoul E-Land have never played one another, and it was the first derby between two Seoul teams in over 30 years. Tensions were high going into the game and both teams played a stronger than normal side for an FA Cup tie. 

However, it was the away Leopards who looked as if they were the K League 1 outfit throughout the game. They were quicker, they had more chances, they fought for the ball more. At half time, the gaffer Chung Jung-yong must have thought that E-Land could snatch it. He brought on Benegas at half time, followed by Leandro later in the half.

Leandro was the difference-maker in the FA Cup against FC Seoul on Wednesday evening. 

FC Seoul fans looked shocked. Who were this Seoul team? In the past, sentences that FC Seoul fans mentioned E-Land in normally had a punchline after it. Now, this Jamsil outfit was taking the game of professional football to them, in their own back yard. Seoul E-Land fought for everything. They played with pride, they played with power, they played with passion. It was a completely different side from what we saw against Chungnam Asan.

It was the Brazilian Leandro who was the difference-maker. A headed goal in the 85th minute put E-Land ahead and I could not contain myself from where I was sat. A swift walk to the bathroom to calm down. Seoul E-Land managed to hang on after a bombardment of FC Seoul attack. Full time blew and tears were indeed cried in Sangam. However, these were tears of joy.

From the Bottom to the Top

Seoul E-Land vs Daejeon Hana Citizen has been a fixture forever turning heads. If it isn't late penalties, there were fisty challenges which resulted in marching orders for either team. Seoul and Daejeon used to be a battle of the bottom. However these days they are fighting for promotion. What Happened?

For Daejeon, they were bought by Hana Bank back in November 2019. The company have put in a lot of funding into the side and are looking to get Daejeon into the top flight as soon as possible. Daejeon started showing their intention and brought in some very talented players. Anddré Luis came in and became their top scorer for his one season in Korea. Edinho also played for the side and is still scoring. 

For Seoul, they brought in Chung Jung-yong to manage the side. He completely transformed the team and changed the entire squad. Seoul brought in young and hungry players and some exceptional foreign players. Seoul have only gotten stronger since the gaffer's take over.

                                            [LINK: Deajeon Citizen Complete Takeover.]

Neck and Neck

Only one point separates the two sides. Daejeon has four wins and two losses where Seoul have three wins, two draws and one loss. Both have also been scoring for fun. Daejeon scored nine and Seoul have twelve. The difference between the two is the number of goals conceded. Daejeon have conceded seven goals and Seoul have only let in two. 

Seoul E-Land and Deajeon Hana Citizen are neck and neck in the K League 2. Image Via (ussoccerway)

Daejeon will have to break down Seoul's strong defence on Saturday. Chungnam Asan has proved that It can be done. Seoul will look to score early against Daejeon. As the side have conceded so many this season, it will be interesting if the Leopards can get more than one on the score sheet. 

FA Cup Hangover?

Both Seoul and Daejeon played midweek against K League 1 sides. Where Seoul E-Land got the job done against FC Seoul, Daejeon fell 2-1 to Suwon Bluewings. Both teams played a good amount of first-team choices midweek so fatigue may be a factor in the game.

With that being said though, both managers will know the importance of winning this one. This is the tie which both sides could look back on in October and suggest that this was the one that either won them or lost them the league.