A Tough Welcome Home: Can Seoul Put Their Terrible Run To An End?

Things just keep getting worse for Seoul in the 2021 K League 2. The Leopards are now winless in eight games and scoreless in five. This week they welcome Busan IPark to Leoul Park. A team that Seoul beat convincingly in the opening round back in February. However, the contrast between the two teams from that game in the Gudeok is night and day compared to how the two outfits are performing now.

Busan has managed to build up somewhat of a good string of results, after their poor start to the campaign. With lead goalscorer Ahn Byeong-jun in fine form, Busan are only looking to improve as the season progresses. Can Busan continue their chase for the playoffs or maybe even top spot? Or will Seoul finally give their fans something to cheer about? Michael Redmond previews this one here. 

A Grueling Game in Gimcheon

There really isn't too much to write home about for Seoul at the moment. After four straight away games in a row. Seoul recorded two points out of a possible twelve. The last round saw them make the trip to play Gimcheon Sangmu. A game that saw Gimcheon walkout convincing winners. 

Gimcheon looked a cut above Seoul and it took goals in either half to put Seoul to sleep. The second goal was a serious defensive blunder which saw Gimcheon walk around Seoul and put half the team on the ground before slotting it home. An excellent piece of skill from Park Dong-jin. However, Seoul looked disastrous for the lead up to the goal. Serious questions have to be asked of Seoul now as it is very clear and obvious that something is wrong in the camp. 

This was also Lee Sang-min's last game for Seoul due to his involvement in the Olympic team for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Seoul now needs to change the team and introduce some more stable players at the back.

Full Time: Gimcheon Sangmu 2-0 Seoul 

Nine Goal Thriller in the Gudeok

In a game that saw FC Anyang draw first blood. Both teams went back and forth throughout the entire game. Nilson Junior scored a brace in the game for the Violets and An Byeong-jun also made the scoresheet for the sixth match running. The North Korean is once again proving what asset he is to any team he plays with. 

It was late drama as in the dying moments, Anyang claimed the winner. Busan are now in 5th place and two points out of the playoffs. It must be said that Busan does have a game in hand. Nothing can be taken away from Busan in this game. They managed to score more goals in one game than Seoul have in nine matches, ten if you include the 2-0 FA Cup loss to Gangwon FC. 

Full Time: Busan IPark 4-5 FC Anyang

Ahn Byeong-Jun, That's the Title 

It has been said many times, but it needs to be said again. Ahn Byeong-jun is an exceptional player who has thrived in the K League 2 over the last three seasons. Having an okay first season with Suwon back in 2019, it was his 2020 campaign that saw him kick it up a gear. Scoring 21 goals in 26 games for Suwon FC as they made their way back to the K League 1. The 2020 golden boot winner is well on his way to reclaiming his award as he currently has 13 goals in 16 games. 

Ahn Byeong-Jun celebrates his hattrick against Ansan Greeners in round 15 of the 2021 K League 2.

A player who could easily fit into any K League 1 side. Ahn Byeong-jun has a killer instance in front of the goal. He is a natural finisher and has a presence on top which can completely change a game in a moment. A player who knows Seoul's defence well. Ahn Byeong-jun scored three goals against the Leopards last season. He will be looking to open his account against the capital on Sunday.

Reinforcements Needed?

There has been some rumours these last few weeks about some players coming into Seoul and strengthening the squad. Most noticeably being Japanese midfielder, Yuki Kobayashi. However, surely by now, Seoul have a strong enough team to be challenging in the league? They have some very good talent. Ko Jae-hyeon, Jang Yun-ho, Leandro. Just to name a few. Seoul have a squad that have bags of experience and skill. 

Many fans are left scratching their heads to what is happening with this Seoul team. What is happening in the camp? How can a team go from flying high on top to staring at the wooden spoon once more with Bucheon 1995? It is time for Seoul to think up a new tactic as it is obvious that the team has been sussed out by the majority of the K League 2. 

Are Seoul strong enough to be competing in the K League 2? Or are reinforcements still needed?

Seoul can not leave it to Leandro to do all the work going forward. Seoul can not make defensive error after defensive error in every single game. Seoul needs someone up front who actually knows how to put the ball into the back of the net. The last time a striker scored for Seoul was back on May 5th when the Leopards drew with Gyeongnam FC 1-1. Han Eui-gwon was the goal scorer that day, almost two months ago. 

Back To The Future

Well, it was fun whilst it lasted. The hope to think that Seoul could actually do something this year. The positive start had us all dreaming. Their results were all pointing in the direction that the Leopards may finally reach the promised land. The change in the team from then to now is quite shocking, to be honest. It is still strange for the side to drop so hard and their play to become so unimaginative in such a short space of time.

They will play a Busan side who had a bad start to life back in the K League 2. IPark have now managed to get a few good results under their belt in the second division. They will be looking to take their revenge from their 3-0 loss from Seoul side back in round one. The Seoul fans will be glad to be back in Leoul Park on Sunday. It has been a long month and a home game is long overdue. 

Seoul will hope to change their luck when they play Busan IPark in the 2021 K League 2.

Fans may be passionate and have a lot of love for the side, but they are certainly not unpalatable and only want what is best for the team. They have been through a lot in the short space of time that the club has been an outfit. The team is just testing their patience at this moment in time and to be honest, I can only see it continue come 6pm on Sunday. Busan could have another field day in Jamsil, as they have done many times in the past.