FA Cup Preview: FC Anyang vs Icheon Citizen

Anyang start their 2019 Korean FA Cup campaign with a tough opponent in Icheon Citizens. The Citizen club performed admirably last season with a final points total of 38pts, leaving themselves 3rd place in the K3 standings. Anyang have shown that they could be a team to watch this season, but with up and down performances in the first three weeks. Which Anyang will we see in the cup, let alone which side will we see? KLU's Paul Bettridge previews the upcoming FA Cup fixture.

Match information

Match: Anyang FC Vs Icheon Citizens
Venue: Bishan Sports Park Natural Stadium - Anyang
Kick Off: 27th Of March; 15:00 KST

Last Time Out 

Two back-to-back 1-0 losses highlights the biggest question mark over Anyang's season, where will the goals come from? After an opening day full of surprises, with a dramatic 4-1 victory over Busan I'Park, the goals have dried up and so have the results. While it's still too early to say that Anyang are going to have issues with scoring goals, a big test of their squad depth will be shown in this match.

With two new foreign signings yet to make an appearance for Anyang it's going to be interesting to see if they're given a few minutes here to get some match fitness. With Kovtalyuk being on the bench to witness the 1-0  loss to Jeonnam Dragons it is likely that he will see some game time.

Although the recent form has been quite dire for Anyang, there is an element of misfortune. The team could be in for a change of fortunes if they can escape the sequences of not scoring, which plagued the team in previous years. A high scoring win could bring some much needed confidence for the young squad, and might be the way to see them push on for a good K League start.

Anyang's FA Cup History

Anyang's history in the FA Cup is poor at best, only making it to the 2nd round for the past 4 seasons. Admittedly, they have normally been drawn against a team in the K1. However, last year, they did lose to Mokpo City in extra time. A Mokpo City side who were arguably the same standard as that of Icheon Citizens now.

Anyang have a history of consistent first round success, and with Icheon having a lot of past difficulties escaping this round it could predict an easy FA Cup round for Anyang. It won't be the prettiest of games, but with the foreign talent that Anyang boast this could be Anyang's to win. However, Anyang also have a bad habit of not fielding their best players in this competition so it could be an opportunity for Icheon.

The Adversary 

Icheon Citizen are a very gritty team. Out of their last 20 games they have a record of 11 wins, 5 losses and 4 draws, with the majority of those 11 wins being a 1 goal margin of victory. They, by all accounts, seem to be a structured, well organised defensive team who will look at this game as a perfect opportunity to prove that they're a good team.

They will have been preparing for this match since the draw, and with the recent Anyang goal droughts will have grown in confidence at being able to keep this game to a 0-0, or attempt to sneak a 1-0 victory. The defensive formation could prove dangerous to a team like Anyang who really strive at the counter attack approach.

Prediction 

This is a must win for Anyang. They need the confidence and they also need the goals. It will be a very good test of their creative players as well, with them being needed to break the defensive team that I predict to turn up in Icheon Citizen. It will not be a pretty game, and it has an extra time type feeling, but if Anyang really respect their opponents it could be a 1-0 victory.

FC Anyang 1-0 Icheon Citizen