Seoul E-Land FC: The Season of Dreams and Determination

As the 2024 K League 2 season enters its crucial stages, Seoul E-Land FC has consistently risen to the occasion in what has been an eventful year in Korean football. In a season where many promotion contenders have found themselves dwindling at the foot of the table, Seoul E-Land has maintained a strong position in a lucrative playoff spot.

This year is particularly special for Seoul as it marks the 10th anniversary of the club’s formation. Could this milestone be the driving force that finally takes the Leopards to the promised lands of the K League 1? In this article, Michael Redmond delves into how Seoul E-Land has found itself in such a promising position and what lies ahead for the team from the capital. Let’s take a look at what has happened so far this year and what is in store for the Leopards.

In Unexplored Territory 

It's been an eventful season for Seoul E-Land. After 24 games, they have achieved eleven wins, five draws, and eight losses. Heading into the Bucheon 1995 game on the weekend of this publication, Seoul has accumulated 38 points, placing them third in the league. This puts them four points behind Jeonnam Dragons and eight points adrift of FC Anyang.

Delving into the stats, Seoul has scored 49 goals this season, making them the top scorers in the league. On an individual level, Bruno Silva is tied for the league’s top scorer with Bruno Mota of Cheonan City, both netting 10 goals. What's particularly impressive about Seoul's 49 goals is that in their ten seasons in the K League, they've only surpassed this tally once. 

Bruno Silva is the joint top goal scorer in the 2024 K League 2.

That was during their inaugural season, where they scored 69 goals in a 40-game season and secured a playoff spot, eventually bowing out to Suwon FC. With 12 games remaining, Seoul needs just 21 more goals to break that record—a feat that seems well within reach given their current form.

To put this season into perspective, Seoul already has three more points than they did last year, along with one additional win. They've scored 13 more goals and conceded 20 fewer (though this number will change negatively as the season progresses). Seoul finally appears to be a well-oiled machine, often looking like world-beaters. It seems they're putting the pieces of the puzzle together, and perhaps, they're on the brink of creating a masterpiece.

Still Standing Tall

From a personal perspective, this marks my seventh season writing for Seoul E-Land at K League United. I bring this up because I recall really finding my stride back in the 2019 season, which was only my second year covering the Leopards. That year, Seoul managed just five wins throughout the entire campaign. Fast forward to 2024 and Seoul have just won three of their last five matches, with one draw, and suffered just a single loss. It's a completely different world from the K League I first encountered. 

The first of those recent victories serves as evidence that the days of Seoul squandering games in injury time are now a distant memory. Instead, it's the Leopards who are now delivering the final blows late in the game. They secured a 3-1 victory against Seongnam FC, with two late goals coming from Kim Gyeol in the 89th minute and Osmar in the 94th. Veering slightly off topic for a moment, it’s worth mentioning that Osmar now has scored four goals for Seoul E-Land in 21 appearances. 

Seoul E-land's Osmar proving that he is at Seoul to win.

Despite being a centre-back, we've seen Seoul E-Land boss Kim Do-kyun push him up into midfield at times in the starting eleven. Osmar continues to demonstrate his intent to make a significant impact at E-Land with his leadership and experience.

Moving on to Seoul’s sole loss in this recent run, it was a frustrating night at Leoul Park as the boys in blue hosted Cheonan City. The match ended 4-3 in favour of the visitors, with Cheonan appearing more eager for the occasion. It was a moment of concern, sparking fears among fans that Seoul might once again falter. Seoul supporters have had their hopes up before them being cruelly taken away. Look at 2021, for example, they won the first five games of the season, only to then endure 11 straight matches without even scoring a goal. Supporting Seoul can be a challenge for even the most hardcore of supporters at times.

Seoul quickly bounced back in their next fixture, dominating Gimpo in a game away from home. Despite Gimpo’s keeper, Song Jung-hyun, being sent off with all subs used, Seoul played fast, fluid football that was reflected in the scoreline. The game ended 5-2 and for the second time this season, they put five goals past their opposition. With this victory, Seoul was back in form and ready for their next challenge against Jeonnam Dragons.

Seoul have been picking up a lot of points away from home in the 2024 K League 2 season.

The match against Jeonnam Dragons had all the makings of a Hollywood script. In the week leading up to the game, Jeonnam secured the services of 2023 Seoul E-Land player, Bruno. It seemed inevitable that he would score against his former team, and he did just that. The game ended 2-2 which was not a poor result away from home against a team sitting in second place. However, for Seoul, chasing promotion and eager to climb the table, it felt like two points were lost.

Finally, we come to the most recent game, where Seoul faced an old foe that had often gotten the better of them in the past. Six years ago, almost to the day, Busan IPark thrashed Seoul 5-0 at the Seoul Olympic Stadium. But last weekend in Mokdong, Seoul emerged as 2-1 winners, delivering a convincing performance. Could it be that Seoul E-Land has finally turned a corner from the Leopards of old?

The Next Five Fights

The next five games will be a true test of Seoul E-Land FC’s nerve. They kick off this crucial stretch against Bucheon 1995, a side that has both beaten and drawn with Seoul this year. Bucheon currently sits in 9th place, a shadow of their previous years' successes. However, they’re never a team to underestimate, especially if they're in the mood to spoil Seoul's Sunday evening.

The second game is arguably the one fans are most excited about, as Suwon Samsung Bluewings return to Mokdong for their third and final matchup of the season. Seoul has stunned the league by besting Suwon in both previous encounters, but as a pessimistic Seoul E-Land fan, I can’t shake the feeling that something has to give. I hope I’m wrong and that Seoul can complete a clean sweep against this former K League giant.

Seoul fans hope for more celebrations like this as the season pushes towards the conclusion.

Next up, Seoul travels to the Ansan Wa~ to face Ansan Greeners, a team languishing just two points off the bottom of the table. While this might seem like an easy fixture, eagle-eyed fans will remember that Ansan embarrassed Seoul with a surprising 3-0 defeat just a few months ago. Historically, no matter how Seoul were playing in the league, they have always had Ansan’s number, but the roles were reversed in their last encounter. This will be a game where complacency could prove costly.

The fourth match takes Seoul to Chungbuk Cheongju, a place that holds fond memories for me as a K League 2 fan. The passion and pride of Cheongju’s supporters made this an away day to remember in my final year in South Korea. On the field, Seoul has already secured a win and a draw against them, but every game now is like a cup final. Seoul can’t afford to gloss over fixtures like this if they’re serious about catching Jeonnam and Anyang. Games like this will define their season.

The final game of this five-match stretch is the biggest one for me: FC Anyang. Putting aside my personal dislike for the team, this could be a top-of-the-table clash, with Seoul hopefully still in 3rd or even higher. This game could be the pivotal moment in the title race if Seoul can finally do what they’ve failed to do so many times before, and that is to beat FC Anyang. The stats against Anyang have been far from perfect, and Seoul has yet to truly show up when these two K League 2 titans clash.

[LINK: It’s been a While… The Adventures of a Seoul E-Land Fan Abroad Episode 5 ]

To Dream is to Believe 

Seoul E-Land has created something this year that the fans have never seen before. Granted they had a small dip back in June, but they have consistently been the better team in the majority of games this season. They are scoring for fun and putting belief into the fans.

Kim Do-kyun is allowing fans to dare to dream and with his style of football, the squad Seoul E-Land has, anything is possible for this side. They sit not a million miles away from 2nd and 1st and if they can continue with this fine form they are in, then it is almost certain that Jeonnam and Anyang will begin to feel the pressure.

Seoul E-Land manager Kim Do-kyun has given the fans belief. 

Looking behind Seoul, they can not slip up. Chungnam Asan and Suwon Bluewings are only one point behind them Seoul are only five points from being out of the playoff spots. It is all well and good talking about how well Seoul are playing right now, but it is important to also know that the other teams around them are also playing good football.

I hope to come back after these five games and really produce another inspiring and positive article for the Leopards in their quest for K League 1 glory. I really hope I do not come back here in late September mourning over what could have been. Only time will tell.

Seoul E-Land has crafted something special this year, something the fans have never witnessed before. Despite a brief dip in form back in June, they’ve consistently been the better team in the majority of their matches this season. They’re scoring with ease and instilling a sense of belief among the supporters.

Under Kim Do-kyun’s leadership, fans are daring to dream. With his style of football and the squad Seoul E-Land has assembled, anything seems possible. They’re not far off from 2nd and 1st place, and if they can maintain their current form, it’s almost certain that Jeonnam and Anyang will start feeling the pressure.

Seoul E-Land fans are experiencing a special team in the 2024 K League 2 season. 

However, Seoul can’t afford to slip up. Chungnam Asan and Suwon Bluewings are just one point behind them, and Seoul is only five points away from being pushed out of the playoff spots. While it’s great to celebrate how well Seoul is playing right now, it’s also crucial to recognize that the teams around them are also performing well.

I hope to return in five games time with another inspiring and positive update on the Leopards' quest for K League 1 glory. I truly hope I’m not here in late September mourning what could have been. Only time will tell.