Seoul E-Land Vs Daejeon Hana Citizen: A Saturday to beat the Slump?

It has been an uncertain time for Seoul E-Land in the 2021 K League 2. The Leopards were dominating in the early rounds. However, they are now finding it harder and harder to get results and three points on the board. This weekend, they welcome 2nd place Daejeon Hana Citzen. Only four points separate the two sides, but the form is not as close as some may think.

Seoul have one league win in five games and three points are much needed. Daejeon are desperately trying to stay in playoff contention with a number of teams breathing down their necks. Michael Redmond previews this one.  

What is the K League 2?

This is my fifth season following K League 2 and fourth writing about the division and Seoul E-Land. I mention every year that the K League 2 is unpredictable and fun. To say that this one is one of the closest and most entertaining title races is certainly no understatement. In the past, it has always been close. However, there were always one or two teams who would start to beat the rest of the pack in the push for promotion by now. This year only five points separate 1st and 8th place. That is not even including Chungnam Asan who are sat in 9th with three games in hand. 

The 2021 K League 2 table, as of May 28th, 2021. (Image via Soccerway)

Taking Bucheon 1995 out of the running due to their unfortunately poor season so far. Every team looks like they could beat one another on their day. We have seen numerous league leaders in; Seoul E-Land, Daejeon Hana Citizen, FC Anyang, and now Jeonnam Dragons. Regardless of Seoul's poor month of May, they still have a great chance of making the playoffs. I however will be making no more predictions for who will be in the top four come October. It is just way too close.  

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better

It may feel like groundhog day for Seoul E-Land fans in the K League 2. Their last three games have all ended in 1-1 draws. The game which would have hurt for Leopards fans was the 1-1 draw against Bucheon. A game that you would think Seoul could cakewalk. To further their annoyance, Daejeon went out and destroyed Bucheon in the last round. Scoring four goals up in the first half.  

Park In-hyeok celebrates his first-half hattrick against Bucheon 1995 in the 2021 K League 2.

Normally it could be said that Daejeon are clearly the better team as they put four goals past Bucheon, where Seoul could only a late one. However, this is the K League 2 and results only mean something until your next game. Form is defiantly temporary in this division and it will be interesting to see which Daejeon team turn up on Saturday. 

Time for Change

Seoul E-Land are in a bit of a sticky place at the moment. They just can not seem to score and a striker who has the confidence to put the ball in the back of the net is needed. We see the same team being played week in and week out and Seoul grind out the same results. 

Seoul had FA Cup action midweek where they tried players who are normally on the bench and it did not really work out. Seoul fell 2-0 to Gangwon with Seoul having a handful of one on one chances being missed along the way. 

Ko Jae-hyeon equalizes against Ansan Greeners in the last kick of the game.

At the moment, they just look like a team playing without confidence. It reminds me of the Seoul of old. They need to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start to play as a unit, as a team. Where has the Seoul E-Land team gone that looked like world-beaters at the start of the season? The K League is a marathon, not a sprint. However, Seoul needs to start hitting it back up a gear if they have any playoff chances.

Two Can Play That Game 

It has not exactly been all sunshine and rainbows for Daejeon Hana Citizen either. Their 4-1 win over Bucheon 1995 on Monday was their first in over a month and first win in six games. Their last win before that ironically came against Seoul E-Land back in April. A game that Seoul really started to show the cracks in their side. 

Both teams expected to have more wins on the board by now. They are saved by the fact that everyone is beating everyone so the table is still quite tight. Seoul and Daejeon will be an interesting affair on Saturday as really it could be between these two teams in October for the final playoff spot if their bad fortunes continue. 

So Long, Leoul Park

Saturday needs to be a special game for Seoul and their fans. Seoul will hit the road after the Daejeon game and play four straight away games in a row. They will be out of Leoul Park for a month so a Win would be a fitting end for the month absence. 

Daejeon will not be interested in Seoul's fairytale end for May and will be looking to further the gap between the two teams. Seoul needs to pick themselves up and finally give the fans something to cheer about. It has been a challenging month for Seoul E-Land fan's this month and they really would appreciate a win against Daejeon. However, this game really could for either way.