Asan Look to Rebound After Cup Loss in Midweek

Chungnam Asan will look to add to their point tally when they host third placed FC Anyang this weekend following their midweek FA Cup exit at the hands of Pohang Steelers.  It is safe to say that the Owls are still working their way back into full match rhythm following a layoff that lasted almost the entire month of May after a reserve player tested positive for COVID-19.  The last time the sides met in April, the Violets came away 2-1 winners.  KLU's Branko Belan previews the clash.

Match: Chungnam Asan vs FC Anyang

Venue: Yi Sun Shin Stadium

Kickoff: Sunday May 30th, 2021; 16:00 KST

Recent Form

Owls Looking to Turn Things Back in the Right Direction

Chungnam Asan have had a bit of a tough road lately, having to be out of action due to COVID-19 protocol.  Their return to action hasn't seen the best of results, as they were defeated in their first league match since May 1st, a 2-1 result to Gyeongnam FC.  They faced very stiff competition in their midweek FA Cup fixture in the form of Pohang Steelers, who survived an early scare and eventually won 3-1.  Even a win would not be able to move them up the table should they manage it, but the league is still very tight and there could be progress if they can put a string of results together.

Violets Look to Reverse Fortunes

After briefly looking down from the summit, FC Anyang will look to get back to winning ways this weekend having bowed out of the FA Cup on penalties to Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Wednesday night, while they are also hoping to erase a three match winless slide in the process.  Their last league win came against Bucheon FC 1995 on May 5th, with Nilson Junior and Jonathan Moya converting first half penalties to seal all three points.  Since then, they lost 3-2 to Ansan Greeners and 1-0 to Gyeongnam FC and had to settle for a goalless draw against Gimcheon Sangmu last weekend.

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Team News

Chungnam Asan

After rotating in midweek, the expectation is that Park Dong-hyuk will call on his regulars for the match against Anyang on Sunday afternoon.  One possible omission could be Matheus Alves, who scored the Owls' goal against Pohang but had to leave the pitch with just over ten minutes to play in the first half through injury.  The severity of the injury is currently unknown but according to the manager, the Brazilian could be out for some time and that is a concern as Asan are already stretched for attack options.

Kim In-kyun has been one of the team's best players this year and will be counted on to produce another strong performance.  Alex Sandro did not play in the cup tie, so he should be available as well.  While Park Han-geun played admirably against Pohang, making several critical saves to keep the match close right up to the end, Lee Ki-hyun should take his spot between the sticks as usual.  Choi Kyu-baek also did not play on Wednesday night and will be back to anchor the back line.

FC Anyang

The good news for the Violets is the return of Boadu Maxwell Acosty.  He played as a substitute in the cup match against Suwon Bluewings, his first action of the season after suffering a cruciate ligament injury which kept him out for an extended period of time.  He missed almost the entire month of May in order to bring himself back to match fitness, although it is not known how much of a role he will play against Asan.  If he does play, he may be used as a substitute once again but may have an outside chance for a spot in the starting eleven as well.

Mo Jae-hyun will be a key piece for the Violets.  He has contributed two goals and one assist so far this year and distributes well in the middle of the pitch.  Shim Dong-woon and Kim Kyung-jung are also capable of finding the net with two goals apiece this campaign.  

Maeng Seong-woong earned a call-up to the men's Olympic national team and may be kept out of the lineup to avoid injury.

What to Watch

Can Asan hold it together defensively?

While they played well in stretches against Pohang, Kang Sang-woo's equalizer was the result of some very sloppy defensive play and in particular poor marking which allowed him to tuck in behind the defense to slot the ball home.  The return of Choi Kyu-baek should help to remedy that.  Bae Su-yong has developed into a much better player in comparison to last season but still needs polish to take his game up another level.  Park Se-jin has done well for the most part at right back and is capable of contributing to the attack but it has put him out of position on occasion and that is something he will have to continue to work on.

Anyang have some very good pieces at their disposal and will be able to exploit any weaknesses the Owls may present.  If the back line cannot hold firm and give them a chance to win, it could be a long day between the sticks.

Who to Watch

Jonathan Moya - FC Anyang

Jonathan Moya has been the main target man for the Violets this season.

The Costa Rican native has made a good impact at the club since his arrival with three goals and one assist in twelve appearances thus far.  He has been capped by his country on ten occasions with his last appearance in national colors coming last November in a 1-1 draw with Qatar.  

His finishing ability could prove crucial to his side getting a result and possibly re-taking top spot in the division.  His loan expires at the end of the year, so he will be looking to continue his string of good performances in hopes of earning a call to the national team for the World Cup next year.