Chungnam Asan FC 0-2 Jeju United: Four in a Row and One Point From the Summit

Jeju United secured yet another win on Saturday night away to Chungnam Asan FC thanks to a goal in each half, as Jung Jo-gook struck a penalty in the first half and Lee Chang-min sealed the result with a score of his own fifteen minutes from time.  The win moves Jeju up to second in the table, one point behind Daejeon Hana Citizen.  Asan, meanwhile, are still looking for their first win in K League 2 this season.  KLU's Branko Belan recaps the Tangerines' latest win.

The hosts lined up in a 3-5-2, with Ham Seok-min once again getting the call between the sticks.  Jeong Da-hwon, Cha Yeong-hwan and Jang Soon-hyuk comprised the back three, Kim In-kyun, captain Park Se-jik, Kim Jung-gook and Park Jae-woo made up the midfield, while Philip Hellquist sat in behind the strike duo of Park Min-seo and Armin Mujakic.  It was the first time this season for both of Asan's foreign signings to start a match together this season.

Jeju countered with a 4-4-2. Oh Seung-hoon got the nod in goal.  Jung Woo-jae, Chung Woon, Baek Dong-gyu and Kim Ji-un made up the back four, Seo Jin-su took the U22 spot in midfield alongside captain Lee Chang-min, Kim Young-wook and Park Won-jae, while Jung Jo-gook got a rare start up top with Joo Min-kyu.

First Half

Asan could have gone in front just two minutes into the match when Jeong Da-hwon made a pacy run down the right flank but his cross for Park Min-seo was not converted as the forward's header flashed over the bar.  Jeju would respond with a chance of their own just minutes later, as Seo Jin-su won possession in midfield and turned a defender before going on a darting run, but his effort on goal was weak and caused no distress for Ham Seok-min.

It should have been 1-0 to the hosts on the half hour mark, when a headed clearance fell to the feet of Jang Soon-hyuk in the area, but his shot went the wrong side of the post.  Asan would rue the missed opportunity, as Jeju were awarded a penalty shortly thereafter, as Jeong Da-hwon was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area in a duel with Joo Min-kyu following a VAR decision, and it was the veteran Jung Jo-gook who stepped up and smashed home confidently from the spot to give Jeju a one goal advantage going to the break.

Second Half

Asan could have drawn level just after the break, but Oh Seung-hoon was positioned well to keep Philip Hellquist's sweeping shot out with his leg.  Jeju could have added a second just before the hour mark, but Jung Woo-jae's effort from just outside the box finished just over the crossbar.  The islanders would eventually double their advantage with a quarter of an hour left, when another clearance fell to Lee Chang-min at the top of the area and his volleyed effort looked to have taken a deflection on the way in, handcuffing Ham in the Asan goal.

The remainder of the match produced very little in terms of chances for either side, and the win now moves Jeju up to second place in the league table, one point off the summit currently held by Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Highlights

Jung Jo-gook Enters Elite Company

With his first half penalty strike, Jung Jo-gook became only the tenth player in K League history to become a member of the "150 Club".  In his career, he has now scored 121 goals to go with 29 assists.  Lee Dong-gook tops the list with 305.  Dejan Damjanovic is next with 236,  Other notable names on the list include Shin Tae-yong with 167, Kim Shin-wook with 163 and Kim Do-hoon with 155.

Jung Jo-gook is now in illustrious company following his successful penalty on Saturday night.

He also has his sights set on another milestone, as he looks to reach 400 career appearances in the K League by season's end.  He currently is sitting on 384 matches played.  

"It's a significant record, but I am not interested in reaching personal goals.  The objective is clear for us.  Jeju must return to division one football next season.  As a senior player, I have a great sense of responsibility.  I know what the manager wants.  I will do my best to reproduce my past glory and take Jeju to the next level," he said following the match in a club press release.

Asan Still Winless in 2020

Park Dong-hyuk is still waiting for his first win in 2020.

Park Dong-hyuk was not particularly pleased with the result but is not giving up on his squad.

"I felt we prepared well for the match, and we had our chances, but in the end, it's depressing when you don't win.  We just have to continue to do the things necessary to prepare for each match.  The players are carrying a heavy burden for the fact they have yet to win a match this season.  It's a hard schedule, but we have to keep confidence in each other.  I expect a better result next time out," he said after the match.

Up Next

Jeju face a tricky home encounter with Gyeongnam FC, an old rival from K League 1 and will hope to maintain their winning ways to keep pace with frontrunners at the top of the table.  Not long after, they host Seoul E-Land in the third round of the FA Cup and then travel to Anyang on July 5th before hosting Bucheon in the second installment of K2's newest rivalry a week later.

Asan will have a chance for their first win when they travel to the Wa Stadium to take on Ansan Greeners before heading to Seongnam for their third round FA Cup tie.  Gyeongnam at home and Suwon away are their first two league fixtures in July.