Preview: Seoul E-Land Vs Chungnam Asan

The last round of the 2020 K League 2, saw Seoul E-Land fall short to promotion pushing, Jeju United. In a game which saw them go ahead, early in the second half, Jeju fought back for an away win in Jamsil. The Leopards will have to pick themselves up now, as 9th placed Chungnam Asan make the journey into the capital.

With only one win this year for the 2018 K League 2 champions, Asan are desperately looking to move higher up the table, and claim three points. Seoul will have other ideas, however, as they have stagnated in the 5th/6th position in the table. Seoul really needs to start getting some wins on the board, if they are to be taken seriously in this year's league. Michael Redmond previews this one.

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land were looking to climb up the table on Saturday evening when they took on Jeju United. Jeju have the best form in the league, yet Seoul have been turning up against the big teams this year. Once again for Seoul, most of the talking points came in the second half. After a lacklustre first half, it took only a couple of minutes after the restart for the first major moment of the match. A cross into the box was handled by Baek Dong-gyu. Nothing was made of the handball to begin with, yet the referee went to VAR to confirm the spot-kick. Leandro stepped up, who did not play in the first half and scored for Seoul.

Jeju responded well, they bombarded Seoul with shots, yet the capital held firm. It comes as a shame then, that when Jeju did get their equalizer, it was due to some really poor defending. Five Seoul E-Land players were crowding outside the front of the box. No one picked out Ahn Hyun-beom. Seoul's defenders were not picking up any Jeju players. Seo Gyeong-gu attempted to get back into position to tackle Hyun-beom, but it was too late. A well-placed shot drew the teams level. Some truly eye-opening defending from the Leopards.

Seoul E-Land's backline, in the lead up to Jeju United's equalizer.

Jeju were in the driving seat now, they continued to pile on the pressure. Things went further south for Seoul in the 73rd minute when Choi Jae-hoon was shown a straight red card. The midfielder missed the ball against Ahn Hyun-beom, and was given his marching orders. It did not look as if it was an intentional studs-up tackle on Hyun-beom's ankle, but a red was given, regardless. It was the freekick from that red card, which lead to the second goal. After clearing the ball, Seoul continued to defend from the pressure. Another Jeju strike caught the hand of Sukutu-Pasu, and the referee called for a penalty. The referee gave seven yellow cards, and one red in this game. Captain Lee Chang-min converted for Jeju, and they were ahead. The Island managed to hang on for the victory, in what ended up a very frustrating game for Seoul. Maybe a bit more basic training is in order, down in the Seoul training ground this week.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 1-2 Jeju United





FC Anyang travelled down to the Yi Sun-shin Stadium on Sunday evening, looking to leapfrog over the host, Chungnam Asan. Two teams who have been struggling this year, they both were desperate for points on the board. The main talking point of the first half was Chungnam's captain Park Se-jik. The midfielder was booked in the 20th minute and then given a second yellow on the stroke of halftime. Both tackles looked pretty careless, and Asan had to play the second half with ten men.

After a stalemate first half, Anyang turned it on in the last 45. Kwon Yong-hyun was the scorer, with a slotted shot past the keeper. He ran with joy as he celebrated putting Anyang one goal ahead. Anyang kept pushing on, and they were rewarded past the 70th-minute mark. Goalscorer Kwon Yong-hyun found himself one on one with the keeper, Lee Ki-hyun. The Chungnam keeper took him down, and Anyang had a penalty. Brazilian, Maurides converted from the spot, and Anyang doubled their lead. The remainder of the game, only saw Anyang grow in confidence, Asan were lucky to keep the scoreline down to two. They now find themselves in 9th place, desperate for another win.

Full Time: Chungnam Asan 0-2 FC Anyang

 

 

Previous Meetings

Last time these two met, was at the end of May. Seoul E-Land were still looking for their first win of the season, as they had three draws and one loss to their name. It took only two minutes into the game, for Seoul to change that. They were awarded a penalty in the opening minute, which Leandro converted. In what was not a stellar game by any stretch of the imagination, Seoul would not care. As they had their first win of the season, and more importantly, their first ever win in the Yi Shun-shin stadium, against Asan.

Full Time: Chungnam Asan 0-1 Seoul E-Land

Team News

Seoul E-Land went with the traditional 4-4-2 formation on Saturday evening against Jeju. Captian Kim Min-kyun was absent, so Choi Jae-hoon and Jang Yoon-ho formed the midfield. In right back, Seoul put Ko Jae-hyun, who has had a good start to life in Seoul. This, however, was not the position he has been playing in since starting at the club.

Ahn Hyun-beom equalizes for Jeju United

Leandro once again came off the bench in the second half, and only got 45 minutes. It seems as if Chung Jung-yong is trying to protect the Brazilian, who may have a slight injury. Maybe it is time that the defence is shuffled around a bit more than it has been in recent weeks. Some players find themselves in the team, week in and week out, maybe its time to give some more rotation at the back. The main talking point coming out of the Jeju game was the defending that lead to their equalizer. Teams can not defend like that in this league, without getting punished. It is a shame, as Seoul have massively improved in their defence, compared to last year.

If Kim Min-kyun is still unavailable for the Chungnam game, the boss may put Choi Han-sol in his midfield position, as Choi Jae-hoon will be suspended. Maybe Ko Jae-hyun will find himself back further up the field. We may even see the return of Lazar Arsić, who has been out with an injury, for the last few weeks.   

The Adversary

Chungnam Asan have had a very long and unfortunately history in the K League. They have been champions of the K League 2 twice and twice were denied promotion. The first was do to the team moving from Ansan, down to Asan. The second was due to the police side, no longer taking in players from conscription. This is the first season they are playing as a citizen club. Fans once saw a side, who dominated the division, they are a shell of their former selves now. With a record of one win, five draws, and five losses, Chungnam are desperate to get up and running in the league.

They have only managed to score eight goals so far this year, and have the joint-worst goal difference, being level with Ansan greeners on -10. They have the worse defence record also, conceding 18 goals so far this year. Asan did manage two draws and one win in the last three games, prior to the Anyang defeat. So they have shown some glimmer of hope. It does look as if, Chungnam are to beat any of the teams running for the playoffs, it really would be an upset.

It has been far from a good first half of the season, for Chungnam Asan.

 Looking ahead to the game against Seoul. Park Se-jik is suspended for the game, as he picked up two yellow cards in the Anyang game. Armin Mujakic also did not start in the fixture, Chungnam Asan columnist Branko Belan suggests that he did not come onto the field, as Asan were already down to ten men by half time.

Lee Ki-hyun gave away the penalty, which doubled Anyang's lead, maybe Park Dong-hyuk will look at a different keeper for the Seoul game, and play Ham Seok-min.

Prediction

The last time the two sides met, it was not a classic, by any stretch of the imagination. Seoul did manage to claim their first victory of the season against the former police side. Chungnam are looking to bounce back after the FC Anyang win, but they do not have the same team, of previous years. Chungnam needs some more upsets in the league if they are not to be fighting for the wooden spoon between them and Ansan Greeners.

For Seoul, the boss will need to show Seoul fans, that we can claim points of the teams lower than Seoul in the league. A defeat here, and fans will be deflated, Chung Jung-yong will need to make the balance, of playing his strongest team, as well as giving some players a rest. A win for Seoul next weekend will keep them up there, knocking on the door of 4th, a loss would be a major blow for their push.