Preview: Seoul E-Land vs Gyeongnam FC

The race for a playoff spot is well and truly underway in the 2020 K League 2. Each round has brought up twists and turns along the way and this Chuseok Weekend should be no exception.  This round which will focus on two teams pushing for one of those valuable spots, Seoul E-Land and Gyeongnam Fc. Seoul E-Land will try to shake off the dust of another defeat to Suwon in the round prior. Whilst Gyeongnam are slightly in the driving seat, being in 4th position for the time being. Michael Redmond previews this one here.  

Fixture

Game: Seoul E-Land vs Gyeongnam Fc

Date: Saturday 3rd October, 4pm

Venue: Seoul Olympic Stadium

The race for a playoff spot in the 2020 K League 2 is heating up. 

Last Time Out

Seoul made the trip down to Castle Park last weekend. Seoul were looking to finally take some points off Suwon FC. Suwon were also looking for three valuable points, as a win on Saturday would put them top of the table due to Jeju United playing two days later. Seoul had a lot of the chances in the game. Ko Jae-hyun in the first half missed almost an open net. Seoul were attacking well, but there was no finish and end product to their chances. 

In almost an equal game where both teams shared 50% possession and almost the same amount of shooting (Suwon 11) and (Seoul 12). Suwon edged the game with a goal just after the restart. In the 46th minute, a driven free-kick was sent cruising into Seoul's box. Lars, the South African forward managed to get his head on the ball. Seoul were left cold as the ball eased past stand-in keeper, Kang Jeong-mook. Jeong-mook had a good game for Seoul once again and might even give the boss some food for thought when Kim Hyung-geun returns. Overall it was results elsewhere once again which saved Seoul from falling even further away from the playoffs, as Jeonnam Dragons failed to win against Jeju United. Putting the Islander's back on top. 

Full Time: Suwon FC 1-0 Seoul E-Land   

Gyeongnam FC welcomed Chungnam Asan to Changwon in the round prior. The first 30 minutes saw chances from both sides. The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Lee Eun-bum went on an exquisite run. Eun-bum collected the ball well into his own half and just ran at Gyrongnam. He just kept going, eventually poking it into the home side's net. 

Lee Eun-bum put Chungnam Asan ahead in the game against Gyeongnam FC in the 2020 K League 2. 

Gyeongnam came out a different team in the second half. It took them 90 seconds after the restart to equalize. Ko Kyung-min was the scorer as the ball was passed across goal for him to blast it from close range. Gyeongnam got their second goal in the 72nd minute when Ko Kyung-min scored. A nice piece of skill saw him beat Chungnam's keeper,  Lee Ki-hyun and tap it into the goal. Gyeongnam put the nail in the coffin in the 78th minute. That man again, Ko Kyung-min scored and bagged himself a hattrick. It was the captain, Lee Kwang-seon's towering header which looped the ball over Asan's defence. Kyung-min was there to slot it home. It was not all smiles for the home side, as Negueba was sent off late in the game. A clumsy tackle saw a yellow card turned into a red after some review. Gyeongnam will be without their Brazilian for their game against Seoul. 

Full Time: Gyeongnam FC 3-1 Chungnam Asan 

Previous Meetings

The two met down in Changwon back in July of this year. Both sides were in a similar situation they are now, looking for a playoff spot. Gyeongnam took the lead towards the end of the first half. Lee Kwang-seon was the man to put them ahead. Seoul came out and fought hard in the second half. Kim Tae-hoon equalized with a thunderous strike from way outside the box. 

It got even better for Seoul E-Land, as Richard Sukutu-Pasu with some excellent control. He chested the ball and then volleyed the ball, scissor kick style into the back of the net. Seoul went from a goal down to claim all three points away from home. 

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

Team News

Seoul set up with a 3-4-3 formation on the weekend. Kim Su-an made his second start of the season due to his excellent performance the round prior. Lee Sang-min once again was the centre back as well as Kim Dong-gwon at the back. The two wing players who would trackback on either side of the wing were once again Lee Si-yong and Seo Jeo-min. 

Leandro was once again on the bench and came on in the second half. Fans may feel slightly frustrated to see such talent coming on with only 45 minutes or less in the game. Some may also believe that Won Ki-jong should have come on earlier as he has great instinct to finish chances. The story of Seoul's season has been their leaking of soft goals in crucial games.  Kang Jeong-mook once again had a good game. There is no word on Kim Hyung-geun's return so the second choice keeper might feature in Jamsil. 

Kang Jeong-mook has been exceptional this season for Seoul E-Land since coming in for Kim Hyung-geun in the 2020 K League 2.

A team like Seoul can be frustrating to watch. They ended 2020 undefeated against 3rd place Deajeon Hana Citizen. Yet can not pick up a win against FC Anyang and lost twice to Chungnam Asan. The inconsistency can be frustrating at times.  The boss needs to pick a side he is confident with and a side he knows will play free and fluid football. Seoul seems either lose games or win with style. Let the players show their talent and maybe more positive results will come.   

The Adversary

A team that some may say should be fighting for automatic promotion and not the playoffs. Gyeongnam has had an up and down season, to say the least. Even though they are in a playoff position now, Gyeongnam fails to put games to bed and have nine draws so far in this campaign. Gyeongnam are a high-scoring team and are the third-highest goalscorers in the league with 33. 

Baek Sung-dong is their top goalscorer with eight goals. Even though Gyeongnam are in 4th, this is due to other teams around them also failing to win. Gyeongnam have only won one game in the last five games. If Seoul or Jeonnam took more points off teams they should have beaten. Then the table could have looked a lot different from what it does now. 

What To Watch

Looking at the man in form right now it is hard to miss out Ko Kyung-min from a player to watch in this week's game. Bagging a hattrick is no easy feat and the Korean did it with style against Chungnam Asan. Ko Kyung-min showed that if you are there at the right place at the right time, then goals will come. There is a skill in doing that. 

Kyung-min has been vital in Gyeongnam's set up this year only missing one game so far in the 2020 K League 2. If Ko Kyung-min can continue his good form against Seoul E-Land, Negueba man not be so missed after all. 

Prediction

Seoul E-Land and Gyeongnam FC are both in contention for a playoff position this year. They need it and they want it. Seoul needs to stop dropping careless points. Gyeongnam needs to get a good run of form together. A lot is on the line this Saturday in Jamsil. The victor could more than likely be in one of the desired spots come November. Both teams are prone to mistakes and both teams also show flashes of excellence. Saturday could bring a classic if they both bring their A-game.