Preview: Seoul E-Land Vs Jeju United

As we approach round 11 of the 2020 K League 2 season. Seoul E-Land will welcome Jeju United to the Seoul Olympic Stadium this Saturday. Only two points separate the two sides, in saying that, Jeju United do have a game in hand. This was due to poor weather postponing their round 10 fixture against Bucheon 1995 FC. 

Seoul E-Land will look to continue winning ways, after claiming three points away to Gyeongnam Fc in the round prior. Jeju did play this week, however, as they faced off with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in the last 16 of the 2020 FA Cup. A game which saw them bow out, after 120 minutes of football. Michael Redmond reviews this encounter here.

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land travelled down to Changwon last Saturday evening, looking to bounce back from their 3-0 drumming by Suwon FC. The two teams were looking to leapfrog one another, as Seoul were in 6th and Gyeongnam 7th.

In a game which saw Seoul E-Land put the ball into the back of the net four times, only two of them counted. A sign that maybe the Leopards are starting to be a power upfront. The first half was a tied affair, both sides cancelled one another out. The first goal came in the 43rd minute when Gyeongnam lobbed the ball back to Lee Kwang-seon. Seoul were caught sleeping and did not clear the danger. He headed the ball into Seoul's net, as Choi Jae-hoon, and Lee Sang-min could only stand, looking at one another.

Leandro dances through Gyeongnam FC in the 2020 K League 2

Seoul came to life in the second half, Leandro was subbed on, and he completely changed the game. The Brazillian just ran at Gyeongnam, and they could not handle him. Seoul's equalizer did not come from him however, it came from defender Kim Tae-hyeon. A beautiful shot from way outside the box made the game 1-1. A peach of a debut goal.

Seoul kept pushing on, looking for the winner, ad it came with 16 minutes left on the clock. Ko Jae-hyeon crossed the ball into Gyeongnam's box. Then a skilful Leandro backheel flick to Richard Sukutu-Pasu, who chested the ball, and scissor kicked it into the net. A truly wonderful goal to win the game for Seoul. Seoul held on for the final whistle, and they now climb up to 5th.

Full Time: Gyeongnam FC 1-2 Seoul E-Land




Jeju United were supposed to play Bucheon 1995 FC last Sunday. In what has become a rivalry game between the two sides. The game was called off, however, due to bad weather on the island. They did play midweek though, against K League 1 side Suwon Samsung Bluewings, in the FC Cup. In what was not really an entertaining game, the Islanders held Suwon for 90 minutes in the Jeju World Cup Stadium. In extra time, Australian forward, and 2019 K League 1 gold boot winner Adam Taggart popped up. His goal settles the tie, and Suwon found themselves in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. What may be interesting for Seoul fans to take note, Jeju played 120 minutes of football this week, whilst Seoul rested. Jeju will need to rotate the squad, against this fast-paced E-Land side.

Full Time: Jeju United 0-0 Suwon Samsung Bluewings (0-1 AET)

Scenes from the abandoned game between Jeju United Vs Bucheon 1995 Fc last week

Previous Meetings

The two teams have already met twice this year, once in the league, and once in the cup. Leopard fans will try to forget the FA cup game, bottling a 2-0 lead, to being knocked out in extra time. The last time the two met in the league, was round one, back in May. After the delayed start to the league, the curtain-raiser saw Seoul travel to Seogwipo to take on the Islanders.

Jeju were the team to take the lead, former Seoul E-Land striker Joo Min-kyu slotted the ball into the net, against his former team. Seoul then equalized in the second half, as wonder boy Won Ki-jong equalized in the 68th minute. The Korean forward could have won the game for Seoul, as in the 87th minute, he controlled a long ball forward. He put the ball in the back of the net, however, VAR had something to say about it. the ref confirmed that the Korean used his hand to control the ball. It was very weak to say at least, and Jeju survived an almost embarrassing opening game loss.

This was also the game which saw Kim Sung-hyun sent off in injury time, a second yellow card gave him his marching orders. Some fans are still scratching their heads and wondering why he was sent walking.

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

Team News

Chung Jun-young is the flavour of the week for the K League. Four Seoul E-Land players; Leandro, Sukutu-Pasu, Seo Kyeong-ju, and Kim Tae-hyeon, made the best 11. Seoul E-Land were deemed the best team of the week, and Sukutu-Pasu was the player of the week.

The boss went with a 4-3-3 formation on the weekend, pushing Kim min-kyun up in the front three. Summer signings, Ko Jae-hyeon, and Jang Yung-ho both started in the fixture. Fans will notice how Richard Sukutu-Pasu was the only foreign player who started on the weekend. Leandro got a slight knock in the Bucheon win and was on the bench as a precaution.  Leandro's pace, with Sukutu-Pasu's killer finish, is something to be admired amongst the league. Both of Seoul's goals last week were world-class, and fans are finally getting excited watching this team.

Richard Sukutu-Pasu scored the winner in the last round of the 2020 K League 2 season, against Gyeongnam FC.

The boss has stuck to his guns in defence, the same names always appear in the back line-up. Lee Sang-min is still the favoured centre back for the side Kim dong-gwon has not been seen for few weeks, he was playing some wonderful football a few rounds back and will be a welcoming addition back in the team. Lazar Arsić was absent in the Gyeongnam FC, he picked up a slight knock, and returned to training, earlier this week. His inclusion would be a massive boost to the side.

Seoul are still looking shaky at the back, they were exposed by Suwon a couple of rounds ago, and Gyeongnam scored a peach, due to defensive errors. The defence will need to shape up against Jeju, the side has the best form in the league, and are now looking to climb up the table. 

The Adversary

Jeju United are currently sat in 3rd in the K League 2 and are only two points off the top. After a bit of a poor start from the orange side, they have started to get into the right gear, and are gunning down Suwon at the top. The K League 2 is an open race this year, there is no clear cut team, that are going to run away with this. Jeju do have a game in hand, however, and going top is in their hands, yet they need to turn up against Seoul on Saturday if they are to be in contention.

Seoul may have a slight advantage, however, as Jeju played Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Wednesday evening. The game went all the way to extra time, and they ended up bowing out of the competition. Jeju will need to pick themselves up and face an inform Seoul E-Land side.

What To Watch

Seoul E-Land fans will remember striker Joo Min-kyu, as he was one of the original players in the lineup, in their inception, back in 2015. After his military duty at Sangju Sangmu, he returned to Seoul and only played three games in 2018. He then moved onto Ulsan Hyundai, as he just missed out on the title on the last day of the season. In 2020, Jeju came calling, and he has already racked up four goals for the team in orange so far this year.

Already a hero in the eyes of many Jeju fans, his highlight so far this year, will come when he scored against Bucheon 1995 in injury time back in late May. Seoul will be wary of his presence in the game.

Prediction

In what will probably be the game of the weekend in the K League 2. The two sides are looking to claim three points in this one. Jeju United have the best form in the league, and Seoul E-Land have taken most of their points off the big boys in the league. Seoul will not be threatened by Jeju's previous K League 1 status, as they took out Gyeongnam in the previous round.

Leandro is on fire for the Leopards at the moment, Jeju will need to keep him at bay, as he will assist, and he will score if they give him enough space. Jeju will be looking to march on in the division, however, and they won't let Seoul get in their way. Only two points separate the two sides, this could be a very interesting encounter, come Saturday night.