Preview: FC Anyang vs Busan IPark

After a disappointing loss against Jeonnam Dragons, Anyang head into one of their most difficult and important fixtures of their clubs history. Can Anyang repeat their opening day victory over Busan I'Park and solidify themselves as one of the contenders for promotion? 

Last Time Out

Jeonnam Dragons 2 - 0 FC Anyang

The game started horribly for Anyang, as it took Jeonnam only 36 seconds to find the back of the net. A whipped in cross by Jeong Jae-hee eluded the entire Anyang back line, and at the back post Bruno Baio scored his fifth goal in 11 appearances. The wings were a constant source of danger for Anyang as Jeonnam continued to mount pressure in the first half, but couldn't yet find a second goal. Anyang's only real chance of the half was a Kim Sang-won freekick which narrowly went wide, after leaving the goalkeeper rooted to the spot.  

The second half nearly saw early redemption, but Lee Jeong-bin's unmarked, outside of the box shot whistle past the post. The second half was witness to one of the greatest saves of the season as Park Jun-hyuk unbelievably managed to flick the ball onto the crossbar. Certainly one of the best saves this year and makes up for his mistakes last time against Anyang. From one goalkeeper wonder to a goalkeeper blunder, as Kim Gyeong-min shot from just inside the box, and for a split second the Anyang goal keeper took his eye off the ball, and he misjudged the flight of the ball horribly. With the scoreline reading 2-0 to Jeonnam and Park Jun-hyuk playing marvelously, the game ended with Anyang not scoring a goal. Which is something that has rarely happened this season. 

Bucheon 1995 0 - 2 Busan IPark

Similarly to the Jeonnam verses Anyang game, a goal was scored within two minutes. This time for the away team, Busan IPark. After a wonderful piece of team passing, which featured a creative back heel. The ball fell to Park Jong-woo, who managed to curve his shot, from outside of the box passed the diving Ansan goalkeeper. The Busan goalkeeper was called into action multiple times in the first half, but Choi Pil-soo proved to be more than good enough to handle the attacks, saving three very dangerous chances in the first half. His stunning man of the match performance held the game to a 1-0 scoreline heading into half time.

The second half saw few chances, but an incredible save this time by the Bucheon goalkeeper, Choi Cheol-won who kept Ansan in with a chance heading into the final ten minutes. However, he couldn't keep free scoring Busan out for long as a shot from Romulu, looked like it was expertly saved with five minutes to go, but the rebound fell to Lee Jeong-hyeop who couldn't miss the target. The wolves kept up the pressure even in the 90th minute, but couldn't defeat Choi Pil-soo in goal who was having a standout performance. The match finished with a well fought 2-0 victory to Busan IPark. 

Previous Meetings

The last time these two teams met was in game week 25, when 4,269 lucky fans got to see a tensely contested 1-1 draw at the Busan Gudeok stadium. It was the debut for Mo Jae-hyeon who was playing due to injuries to both Cho Gyu-sung and Manuel Palacios, two of Anyang's best players this year. The game started off very tense, with both teams playing attacking football. The first half was won by Anyang due to a goal from creative talisman Alex, but in the second half a commanding header by Soma Novothny, restored a point for the home side.

This season, Anyang and Busan have faced each other three times. With one victory for Anyang, one victory for Busan and a draw. Anyang have scored six goals, four of which came in the first game of the season and Busan have scored five. Both teams come into this game with similar goals scored and conceded. However, Busan have the clear form advantage heading into one of the most pivotal games of the season. With plenty of experience for Busan in important matches, the pressure might start to show on Anyangs performances, and the relatively young side could have issues.

Team News

Anyang played their full starting eleven last time out, they decided to start with the older more experienced Alex. Instead of the inform Mo Jae-hyeon, who scored two goals out in his last start. Whilst that decision wasn't the reason for the loss, it will have an affect on this game as it's unlikely Alex will play a full ninety minutes, with the match coming so soon afterwards. The team will mostly stay the same as the last time out, apart from rotation due to fitness concerns or an addition of a holding midfielder to combat the dangerous Busan team.

The Adversary

Busan are having another solid season, they're currently second in the league with 56 points. Which is the same amount of points they earned in the entirety of last season. This shows how much they have improved as a team with still six games to go. The highlight of Busan's season has been their ability to score goals, with 60 goals scored. What is also interesting about their goal scoring ability is that it is the exactly the same home, or away. They're one of the most consistent teams in the league and have been for a number of years.

Busan are also on an incredible run with only one loss in their last twelve games, which was an away loss to Ansan Greeners 2-0. At home they boast a better record with only one loss in 13 games. They've turned their home into a fortress where they either outscore their opponents or tie the game. Busan are incredibly good at being consistent, which is a big concern for Anyang who are showing signs of inconsistency.

What To Watch

This is effectively a practice playoff game, with both teams looking likely to qualify. It will be interesting to see how both managers approach this game tactically. It's possible that they might decide to play more reserved, with a future game being likely. Anyang will especially be trying to hide any plans or strategies, considering that Busan have a lot of experience in play off/important fixtures, whereas this could be Anyang's first ever time with expectations on themselves.

Watch out for both teams trying new ideas just to test, and the possible appearances of youngsters because of the fixture coming so soon after the weekend. Both teams might have fitness concerns that we are unaware of, and this could make particularly the first half more quiet than previous meetings.

Prediction

Anyang will have the home advantage, but they face an incredibly well organised and consistent Busan IPark. It's most likely that both teams will score, but Busan will show their experience and hold on for an all important away victory. 

FC Anyang 1 - 2 Busan IPark