'Desperate' Busan hosts Gimcheon at the Gudeok

Busan IPark is hosting one of the leaders in the league Gimcheon Sangmu at the Gudeok Stadium on Monday evening. This game will be played behind closed doors, due to the social distancing level of Busan. The mood between the two teams is at odds, but what Busan's attacking football will do against Gimcheon will be what to watch out for.

Match: Busan IPark (6th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (1st)

Round: Hana Bank K League 2, Round 26

Venue: Gudeok Stadium, Busan

Kick-off: Monday 23rd August 2021, 19:30 KST

Where to Watch: International supporters can watch via the K League's online OTT platform, K League TV, where live coverage will be available free of charge.

 

Recent Form

Busan IPark

Busan IPark are struggling to get points after passing the halfway point of the season. The Royals went down to 6th position in the league after winning only one game in the last seven. More worryingly, Busan's offensive power has become blunt. Busan are currently the top scorers in the league (33 goals in 25 games), but in the second half of the season, the Royals have scored only two goals in six games, except for four against Ansan. In addition, the two goals were scored by Ahn Byung-jun, who cannot play in this game. Busan IPark has to score goals in this game, even if they can't win.

Gimcheon Sangmu

Gimcheon, on the other hand, didn't lose in their five most recent games, with four clean sheets to raise them up to first place in the league. A four-back featuring Jung Seung-hyun, Yoo In-soo, Woo Woo-sung, and Kim Yong-hwan, is the leading contributor to Gimcheon's tight defence. Midfielder Seo Jin-su is becoming a key player to Sangmu, with two goals in the last three games while K League 2 'Dynamic Point' leader Koo Sung-yoon is saving Gimcheon's points with great saves.

[LISTEN: KLU Pod | Weekend Recap + Ryan Edwards & Park In-hyeok Interviews]

 

Team news

Busan IPark

Busan IPark's striker and current leading scorer Ahn Byung-jun (15 goals in 24 games) cannot feature in this game, because of yellow card accumulation. Furthermore, promising player Park Jeong-in (seven in 24) is also sidelined by injury. There is some good news for the Royals, however, head coach Ricardo Peres and 'Australian Kante' Ryan Edwards are back for Busan, after serving their one-game suspensions. In addition, captain Park Jong-woo appeared in the game against Gyeongnam after recovering from his long-term injury. 

Predicted Lineup:

Gimcheon Sangmu

New recruits such as Ko Seung-bum, Moon Ji-hwan, and Ji Eon-hak are waiting for their second game for Gimcheon after the FA Cup game against Daegu FC. Every player of Gimcheon is available to head coach Kim Tae-wan, without injured or suspended players to concern himself with.

Predicted Lineup:

 

 

Who to Watch

Lee Tae-min

Lee Tae-min, a senior in high school and led Gaesung High School to the 2018 K League Youth Championship. He is one of the three semi-pro contracted players in Busan this season and is considered one of the most promising players for his age. Head coach Ricardo Peres who wants to develop young players in the team and is giving many opportunities to Lee. He is still a substitute in the second half of the game rather than a team starter, and there is no goals or assists in this season for him yet, but when he was substituted in against Ansan in the 21st round, he made Yeon Je-min's own goal with a good dribble and a cross. With Ahn Byung-Jun and Park Jung-in unable to play in this game, chances are high that he will be a starter. Although he is not as fast as a classical winger, Lee Tae-min's clever and mature play can make it difficult for the opponent's defence.