Seoul Derby Build-up: Peter Makrillos - "It'll be an exciting game"

K League 2 is the priority for Seoul E-Land, says midfielder Peter Makrillos, but that won't stop him from enjoying an "exciting" Seoul Derby. The Australian says that if the Leopards perform like they did in the first half against Seongnam, then they have a chance of reaching the next round.

The second-ever Seoul Derby sees Seoul E-Land host FC Seoul on Wednesday, 17th April in Round 3 of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup. For Seoul E-Land, with promotion to K League 1 the aim this season, the game might be seen as a bit of a distraction with the Leopards on a run of four without a win and having slipped to sixth in the table. But when asked if he's looking forward to the visit of FC Seoul, Peter Makrillos is affirmative in his answer.

"Definitely, the league is what we're prioritizing but another chance to play against a really good team in Korea. It'll be a good, good game for the fans, a home game. We will go in there to win the game, obviously, so it'll be an exciting game."

The pressure will be on the K League 1 team but Seoul E-Land might feel like they have a point to prove after letting a two-goal lead slip against Seongnam.

"Yeah, definitely. That's what we're going to be looking to do. I know it's going to be a tough game but we're going to go into the game, hoping to play like we did in the first half (against Seongnam). And I'm sure if we do that, we can be successful. So, yeah, just try to take the positives, look at the game and move forward."

The Leopards have the weekend off and will be left to lick their wounds before getting ready for FC Seoul. Peter Makrillos, speaking to K League United after the 2-2 draw with Seongnam, believed they should have been heading into the Seoul Derby having picked up three points.

"Disappointing, man. I thought we had control of the game, especially after the first half. Also had some good chances myself, could have put another one or two away. I just felt like second half maybe got too complacent, too comfortable, and just lost control a little bit. I thought we could have easily come away with three points today, like last week as well. But we've got to move forward now and just experience what we've gone through today and make sure not to do it again."

Manager Kim Do-kyun, too, had similar sentiments.

"[He was] Disappointed. We had control of the game, we lost control, we let them in and that's our fault so we could have done better."

Seoul E-Land face FC Seoul on Wednesday, 17th April at 19:30 PM KST.