Preview: FC Anyang Vs Seoul E-Land

Seoul E-Land returned to winning ways in Round 17 of the 2020 K League 2. A late winner against Ansan Greeners brings the Leopards up to 5th and level on points with Gyeongnam FC. This week, they make the journey down to face struggling side FC Anyang. The Violets are looking for only their fifth win of the season this weekend. Seoul's win last weekend saw them draw level on points with their previous year's efforts, still with ten games left to play. Michael Redmond previews this one. 

Last Time Out

Last Saturday saw FC Anyang make the flight over to face Jeju United. The Islanders were looking for their sixth straight game undefeated. Jeju also knew that a win against struggling Anyang would put them top of the league. Jeju struck first in the 42nd minute. A lobbed ball to Lee Dong-ryul saw him take a fantastic touch. It was then just a shot past Yang Dong-won to put them in front going into halftime.

Anyang responded in the second half. In the 55th minute, Ju Hyun-woo was brought down in the penalty box. It looked as if VAR may step in before Kwon Yonh-hyun struck with a rebounded ball and put it into the back of Jeju's goal. They say you are most vulnerable after you score a goal and this was the case for Anyang moments later. Jeju pushed forward after the restart and Lee Dong-ryul again put them ahead in the 58th minute. Jeju put the game to bed in the dying minutes of the game.  After passing the ball along Anyang's defence, former Seoul E-Land front man Joo Min-kyu made it 3-1 for the home side. The win put Jeju top and the loss for Anyang kept them in 8th position.

Full Time: Jeju United 3-1 FC Anyang

Seoul E-Land made the short journey west to play Ansan Greeners on Sunday evening. The Leopards had one draw and one loss in the previous two games and they were desperate to claim three points. In a game which saw Seoul mostly attack. Ansan held strong defensively and put a lot of their men behind the ball.

Choi Jae-hun was the man of the hour last weekend as Seoul E-Land beat Ansan Greeners in the 2020 K League 2.

Ansan woke up in the second half and had a few decent chances themselves. Both teams cancelled each other out on the evening. Then up stepped Choi Jae-hun for Seoul E-Land. The 24-year-old was rampant in the game and chased down many balls. It was his goal in the 89th minute which put Seoul E-Land ahead. The referee once again went to VAR to see if he was offside in the lead up to the goal. However, it was decided he was marginally onside and the goal stood.

Full Time: Ansan Greeners 0-1 Seoul E-Land  

Previous Meetings

As stated last week, Ansan Greeners surprised quite a few with a victory against Seoul earlier in the season. The game last week was revenge for Seoul by claiming three points against the Green Wolves. The same could also be said here for this week. Seoul will look for some form of revenge as they make the journey down to the Anyang Stadium on Sunday.

The two sides met in round 4 of the 2020 K League 2 season. A midweek fixture in Jamsil, which saw Anyang run away with the win. It was also Seoul's second loss of the season. A goal from Ghanian Acosty in the 58th minute put the visitors ahead. The second came in the form of a penalty in the last ten minutes. Giyosov converted the chance and Anyang claimed their second win of the season.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 0-2 FC Anyang
                  

Team News

Seoul boss Chung Jung-yong has kept the same formation of 3-5-2 for several games now. A heavy midfield puts the Leopards in a very forward pressing style. They have not relied on sitting back like we saw the season prior. Leandro started on the bench against Ansan and came on at half-time. We have seen this a few times this season, especially on very hot and humid evenings. Leandro is fast and he has an advantage running against tired defensive legs. Choi Jae-hun was also a standout player in the game against Ansan. He is rough in his tackles and commands the ball where ever he is. Choi Jae-hun may also relish playing against his former team Anyang on the weekend.

Seoul have been playing more forward football in recent weeks. Ever since the manager, Chung Jung-yong switched the formation to 3-5-2.

Richard Sukuta-Pasu has been out for two games now. Kim Min-kyun has been filling in upfront with Won Ki-jong. Seoul also looked a lot more confident at the back last week. Kim Hyun-geun is having an exceptional season for Seoul and is truly showing that there is life after Kim Yong-kwang in the capital. The boss will hope to pick up all three points here against Anyang on the weekend. These are the teams Seoul need to be beating with ease if they are to take promotion seriously.

[LINK: K League 2 Round 18 Preview]

The Adversary

FC Anyang, like Ansan Greeners are the shell of what they were in the season prior. The side finished third last season and also famously gave Gwangju FC a 7-1 battering. This year however they are still searching for only their fifth win of the year.

Anayng can score goals as they are level with Seoul for goals scored on 19. It is just their defence that lets them down conceding 23 in 17 games. Anyang could be in for a long evening if Seoul continues with this 3-5-2 formation on Sunday evening and their chances start to finally connect.

What To Watch

FC Anyang have scored 19 goals this year and five of those have come from Acosty this year. The Ghanaian striker has been a positive in the Anyang team this year. Acosty does not need too much time on the ball to make an impact. If Seoul slips up and makes a defensive error, then the frontman might just put Anyang ahead.

Prediction

Seoul find themselves once again facing off against a team towards the bottom of the table. This year, Seoul have actually faired better against the bigger clubs, than the weaker sides. Anyang are overdue an upset in the league and they do love to play Seoul. The last two occasions the sides have met has saw Anyang come away with all three points. A win for Seoul however could see them go all the way up into third. Depending on other results in the league this weekend. This could be a pinnacle weekend in the year for Seoul E-Land if all the other results go their way.