Storylines From the Weekend: Three Takeaways

The top of the table in K League 1 is looking quite familiar once again as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors extended their unbeaten streak with a slim 1-0 victory over Suwon FC this past weekend, nudging them up to second behind current leaders Ulsan Hyundai, who also won.  Daegu FC turned heads with a 3-0 win over Gangwon FC, while things got a little tighter in the second division as Daejeon Hana Citizen picked up an important result against Bucheon FC 1995, while Gwangju FC were held at bay by Gyeongnam FC in a four goal score draw.  KLU's Branko Belan takes a closer look.

 

Bitter Rivals One-Two Once Again

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors picked up all three points from their match with Suwon FC on the weekend in what was not the most convincing performance, despite having the majority of the ball throughout the match, of their fifteen total shots, only one managed to find the target.  However, the one that did proved to be decisive, as Kim Jin-kyu found the back of the net in the 72nd minute.  And, despite being unbeaten since March, some of the team's performances have left much to be desired.  Scoring, in particular, has been down this season, with the team scoring just fifteen goals in their first fourteen matches, and currently without a single player in the top ten in the scorer's table.

Ulsan, meanwhile, kept the ball rolling with a standard 2-0 win over last season's K League 2 champions Gimcheon Sangmu.  First half goals from Leonardo and Yun Il-lok were enough as the Horangi continued their fine form this year, having lost just once since the season began.  They now own an eight point edge at the top of the league and will hope to see off Suwon FC away this coming weekend in the final round of matches before the international break.  Jeonbuk will host Jeju, who fell to third following a toothless display against Suwon Samsung Bluewings in a 0-0 draw their last time out.

Daegu Turning Heads Following Emphatic Win

The Sky Blues recorded a statement win against the Bears over the weekend.

Daegu FC muscled their way into the top six following a comprehensive 3-0 beating of Gangwon FC this past weekend.  While they only had five total shots the entire match, they took their chances when it mattered most, as Kim Jin-hyuk put them into the lead just before halftime, while Bruno Lamas doubled the advantage in the 57th minute, with Jeong Tae-wook adding a third with just over a quarter of an hour to play.

After an auspicious start to the season, progression to the knockout phase of the Champions League has turned the team's fortunes and Alexandre Gama now has his club strumming a different tune.  The return of Cesinha from a long injury layoff will also give the team confidence, as he registered two assists in his return to the pitch.  Oh Seung-hoon registered his fourth clean sheet of the season in the win.  If he can stay healthy, the Sky Blues could be a threat in the latter stages of the season yet again.

Purples Close the Gap

Kim Seung-sub was the man of the hour for the Purples, who made up ground in the title race.

Daejeon Hana Citizen went into their match against Bucheon FC 1995 knowing that anything less than a win would dent their chances of gaining ground on the top two in the second division.  Kim Seung-sub scored the only goal of the match in the 41st minute, ensuring that Daejeon are now just one point behind the side they beat on Saturday afternoon.  It wasn't the best of performances for the Purples, but a good wave of momentum has been carrying them lately, and as the results continue to go in their favor, the greater the chance they have of possibly challenging for the division crown and earning automatic promotion.

Gwangju's 2-2 draw with Gyeongnam FC means they failed to widen the gap with the teams directly below them.  Their lead is still six points between first and third, but could there be a momentum shift in the near future?  Bucheon are idle for the next matchday after going winless in their last three matches.  Gwangju are away to Busan IPark and Daejeon travel to face Seoul E-Land, knowing that a win would put them second.  Unlike the first division, there will be no break for internationals in June, so the month ahead could determine who will dictate the pace as the campaign goes into the summer.