'We'll play how we want to play': Gwangju FC's Aaron Calver previews Seoul E-Land away

 

Gwangju FC's Australian defender Aaron Calver says that the team will be wary of Seoul E-Land this Monday night but, ultimately, will focus on their own game. Calver made the switch from Perth Glory in A-League Men to Gwangju earlier this season and, after being slowly eased into the team by manager Lee Jung-hyo, is becoming a regular in the team.
It's been quite the week for Gwangju FC defender Aaron Calver., On Tuesday, in the Hana 1Q K League 2 round 25 win over promotion hopefuls Bucheon FC 1995, the defender scored his first goal for the club as the Yellows went on to win 2-1. 

Calver got the final touch from around six yards out to put his team in front with 13 minutes on the clock. Starlet Eom Ji-sung made it 2-0 on 28 minutes before Park Chang-jun pulled one back from the spot 11 minutes from time. 

But Gwangju held on to bring their four-match win-less run to an end and to ensure of a nine-point lead at the top of the table heading into the Round 26 match with Seoul E-Land. 

But with that game not taking place until Monday night, Gwangju have extra time to prepare - a luxury in K League. 

"We had [Wednesday] off. And I think today, probably recovery, two days postgame. So maybe some cryotherapy, or a bit of gym. And then [Friday], we'll start probably with a video meeting. And then yeah, a three-day lead into the game, start cracking on."

Gwangju take on a Seoul E-Land side that hasn't won in nine matches, a run that stretches back to May 17th. But, while the Leopards may be low on confidence, Calver is fully aware that Seoul E-Land will be doing all they can to end their barren spell.

"They're going to be desperate," says Calver. Adding: "So I'm sure the coach would just say, keep playing our football because it's working. You know, don't worry about them, play how we want to play. He even says at times: it's not the result that matters, it's how we're actually playing. Because even when we lost, we were playing good football. So he said sometimes you have those days, sometimes you don't. But yeah, it'll be a tough trip up there. I think four hours on a bus so it will be weary but hopefully, we'll be ready."

Coming from A-League, and most recently Australia's most western team, Perth Glory, Calver is used to long journeys and says that a four-hour bus ride is much better than flying. 

"It's definitely different for me," he says on K League teams' preferred travel method of choice. "For me, the buses are alright, but the difference is the night games. So once we play, we get the bus straight back. So normally in Australia, we would stay the night and travel back in the morning. So that's a bit different to me because you kind of get home at like two o'clock, 3am in the morning. Then some days we're up for training the next day if we've got a quick turnaround. So it's quite demanding on the body. So that takes getting used to but I probably prefer the bus than the plane travel in Australia, to be honest. Not having to go through the airport and messing around with all that stuff."

It's been a good start for Gwangju, with just three losses all season and with the second-best goal tally in the league. Calver admits that it has been better than expected.

"I think I joined about Round 7 or so. So I was kind of keeping an eye on the first few games and I saw that they're doing really well. So coming over they're already off to a good start, but I didn't think it would obviously you know,... think we've only lost three games all season so it's been a pretty good campaign so far. So yeah, a little bit surprised, but once I got there, and learn the coach's style and the boys we got in there. It's not really a surprise, to be honest."

Gwangju FC take on Seoul E-Land this Monday night with a 19:00 KST kick off. Follow the action live on TV.KLeague.com

In the meantime, K League United Patreons can watch the interview now HERE