Can Bucheon make it three wins in row?

 

Bucheon FC 1995 will be looking for three wins on the bounce when they host Gyeongnam FC on Sunday.  The home side will be boosted by their memorable victory last weekend away against league leaders Jeonnam Dragons.  Gyeongnam FC in the midst of some good form themselves suffered a narrow loss at home in Changwon last time out to Gimcheon Sangmu.  This has the potential to be an interesting clash.  KLU's Gyeongnam FC columnist James Edrupt looks to what could be in store.

Match: Bucheon FC 1995 vs Gyeongnam FC
Venue: Bucheon Stadium.
Kickoff: Sunday, June 20th, 2021; 16:00 (KST)

Recent Form

Bucheon look the part all of a sudden

Bucheon are in the midst of their best form of the season having picked up seven points from their last three games winning their last two.  Two first-half goals last Sunday afternoon was enough to beat table-toppers Jeonnam Dragons 2-0.  19-year-old midfielder Cho Hyun-taek signed in the offseason from Ulsan Hyundai opened his account for the season.  The pacey winger finished calmly on 27 minutes to give the visitors an unexpected lead following a mazy dribble.  They were to double the lead just eleven minutes later when former Jeonnam player Chu Jeong-ho finished off a sweeping move finishing well from just inside the penalty area.  Bucheon are still propping up K League 2 but are now just a point behind Chungnam Asan.  

[READ: Match Analysis: Jeonnam Dragons 0-2 Bucheon FC 1995]

 

Gyeongnam FC hope last weeks loss is just a blip in form

Seol Ki-hyeon's Gyeongnam FC suffered a last-minute defeat at the hands of Gimcheon Sangmu in Changwon.  All three goals came in an action-packed last five minutes of the game.  The hosts weren't helped by a red card for midfielder Kim Beom-jin for a second bookable offense after 57 minutes.  The visitors made their man advantage count when attacking midfielder Heo Yong-Jun arrived un-noticed at the back post and planted a header firmly into the net.  The hosts showed some character and fought back and leveled matters when center forward Yun Ju-tae tapped in from close range with ninety minutes on the clock.  Gimcheon had other ideas and in injury time striker Jeong Jae-hee got the run on his defender and finished into the bottom corner.  Gimcheon's run of excellent form continues, in contrast, Gyeongnam will rue missed chances in the ninety minutes to get something from the game. 

 

Team News

Bucheon FC 1995

The hosts enter the clash in fine form and the manager won't want to change much in terms of the starting eleven.  Man in charge, Lee Young-min played an all-Korean team last time out and the work ethic and endeavor throughout his players would have delighted Seon.  The team selected bar any last-minute injuries would likely be more or less the same eleven that started against Jeonnam Dragons last weekend.

Gyeongnam FC

Seol Ki-hyeon has been chopping and changing his attacking players game by game of late.  At present Seol seems reluctant to play the two Brazilian players in tandem alongside each other.  Willyan and Hernandes have shown glimpses of what they can do in spits and spurts.  The manager will have a very strong squad at his disposal bar long-term absentee Lim Min-hyeok and the suspended youngster Kim Beom-jin.  Experienced campaigner Ko Kyung-min will be hoping to feature after being an unused substitute last Sunday.  

What to Watch

Just when Gyeongnam thought they had turned a corner, it all comes crashing down again.

Gyeongnam supporters must be scratching their heads wondering how and when the team can become more consistent in their performances.  With the squad at Seol's disposal to have already lost seven games, this campaign (the second-worst in the division) is unacceptable.  The number of late goals the team is conceding must be a concern to Seol as well.  Dropped points in the Reds last two home fixtures against Ansan Greeners and Gimcheon Sangmu courtesy of goals in stoppage time have caused grumblings within the fan base.  With only three clean sheets all campaign and with the oldest squad in the league, cracks are starting to show.  

Gyeongnam will need a few additions over the summer to add to their talented squad to make the push for promotion back to K League 1.  Gyeongnam will have to be at their best to get anything from the game this Sunday.  Bucheon will be itching to add to Gyeongnam woes and to get themselves off the bottom of the division.

Who to Watch

Choi Hyun-taek

Choi has been in great form during Bucheon's recent mini-revival.  The pacey winger has been at the forefront of what Bucheon have been doing well in the attacking third.  At just 19 years of age, he has bundles of energy and has the work rate to help defensively helping out his full-back down his side.  He has the versatility to play on either flank and is comfortable using two feet.  Look for Choi to be heavily involved on Sunday.  He opened his account for the season last weekend so he will come into the clash full of confidence. 

Prediction 

This will be a closely contested contest.  Gyeongnam plays a very expansive game away from home and tend to play more conservatively at home.  Bucheon have started to look the part after struggling to put the ball in the net all season.  They have only suffered one defeat in their last six matches. The hosts will be buoyed by their impressive victory last time out and will be looking for another three points at home.  

{READ:2021 K League 2 Round 17 Preview]