Battle At The Bottom: Seoul E-Land Vs Bucheon 1995

The stretch of home games continue for Seoul E-Land in the 2021 K League 2. This week they welcome fellow struggling side Bucheon 1995 for a battle at the bottom at Leoul Park. Both teams are sat in 9th and 10th place with the home side ahead with four points.

The two teams are coming off different fortunes in the last round. Seoul fell by three goals once again to Chungnam Asan. Bucheon fought valiantly against Ansan Greeners and got a 4-3 win against the Green Wolves. Can Seoul muster another win this summer? Or will Bucheon continue to impress? Michael Redmond previews this one.

Match Details

Match: Seoul E-Land Vs. Bucheon 1995

Date: Saturday 14th, August 2012

Kick-Off: 8pm

Venue: Leoul Park (Seoul Olympic Stadium)

Asan Win... Again

It took new signing Kim In-sung only a minute to make an impact on the weekend, as he put Seoul 1-0 up against Chungnam Asan. Some questionable refereeing then followed as VAR ruled that Lee Kyu-ru would be shown a red card for a foul. This can be seen down below. Some may still be wondering how the referee came to the conclusion of sending the player off. 

Asan then equalized in the 45th minute. Kim In-gyun once again a thorn in Seoul's side. VAR came into play as shouts for offside were made. However, nothing was going the Leopards’ way and the goal was given. Asan then took the sword to Seoul and scored two more. Continuing their undefeated streak away in the capital. Fans might feel a sense of anger after watching the team start so well, and surely you can’t blame them.

Full Time: Seoul E-Land 1-3 Chungnam Asan 

Bucheon faired better than Seoul in the last round. They found themselves three goals up by halftime. The first and third goals were both freekicks. Ansan's Kim Sung-woo may have been able to save both chances, but nothing can be taken away from the strikes. The last time Seoul scored a free-kick was back in 2018 ironically against Bucheon.  

Ansan clawed back in the second half as Kim Ryun-do scored a penalty to make it 3-1. Bucheon did not take this lightly and instantly reacted, making it 4-1 and putting the deficit to three once again. Ansan had a late flurry as Kim Ryun-do again came with a brace. A hat-trick for the midfielder. There was even more late drama in the game when Bucheon goalkeeper Jeon Jong-hyuk was shown a second yellow card for time-wasting. With all three substitutes used, defender Han Ji-ho had to go between the sticks. The defender was even called into action in the 98th minute as he punched the ball away from the goal.

It wasn't to be for the Green Wolves as time ran out for them. Bucheon picks up their first win in seven games.

Full Time: Bucheon 1995 4-3 Ansan Greeners

Seoul's Lifeline

It was quite a demolition job when the two sides met in Leoul Park earlier in the season. Seoul won convincingly 4-0 and they were firing on all cylinders at the time. 

The last time the two met was back in May for some Monday night football. Bucheon scored their first goal in eight games when Crislan scored. Choi Jae-hoon equalized for the capital eight minutes later and points were share. 

Leandro and Kim Jung-hwan celebrate Seoul E-Land's victory against Bucheon 1995 earlier in the season.

Fortunes for both sides have been similar in recent times. Both teams have not performed brilliantly and their position in the table shows that. Either team are desperate to climb up the table. The gap between the best and the rest has started to widen. However, either team will still think they have a chance to climb as high as possible come October. For Seoul, they have had Bucheon's number in the last two seasons. If there was a team they could beat right now, it probably would be Bucheon.

Where Did It All Go Wrong?

What happened to Seoul on the weekend? They started off so well and then all momentum left when they were reduced to ten men. They played defensive and tried not pushing the ball too far up the pitch. This is a tough ask with 70 minutes left on the clock and a team like Asan in town. 

Asan shows no fear when they play against a team with talent and they are not afraid to put a foot in when needed. Seoul were caught cold and they allowed Asan to run into space and cause havoc. The game plan truly went out the window. Bucheon have not had an amazing season, but they scored four goals on the weekend and Seoul look to be having defensive problems. Could it be a case that fans will be looking forward to the return of Lee Sang-min. 

The defender featured only once in the Tokyo Olympics so he will be fresh and ready to go. Where does Seoul go from here? All the talent that has been brought in, and they still can not get results. It’s frustrating as a fan to see. However belief must be given to the boss, he must have a game plan. Shouldn’t he? 

9th Vs 10th, And It's All Too Familiar For Seoul

Fans are not asking the world of this Seoul team. They know they will not be world beaters this season or probably the next. But they just want a bit of passion when they take the field. Not to drop their heads when the going gets tough. Life as a Seoul fan certainly hasn’t been easy, and the first two months of the 2021 K League season felt like a vacation. Only time we’ll tell if everything will click with this side.

If Seoul can not get a win or at least a draw against Bucheon on the weekend, then serious questions need to be asked. It has been said before. How does a team that started so well get into a position like this? It doesn’t make for great viewing, to say the least. For Bucheon, this could be a much-needed renaissance. It doesn’t matter how you ran the race. It’s how you finish it.

If they can get two wins on the bounce and climb up the table. Then anything is possible for them. They have been playing better football as of late and a late-season push would be everything the fans would want and probably need. This Saturday could be the start of one team’s season. It could also be the end of another’s.