K LEAGUE

2023 Hana 1Q K League 1 Round 31 Preview

league 2023.09.21 I 조회수 1639

With just three rounds of the regular K League 1 season left, the competition for Final A positions is reaching a fever pitch, and a single point separates fourth from seventh. Towards the bottom, three teams continue to try and build momentum that'd help their respective survival pushes, while at the top there may be a title race brewing after Pohang Steelers' weekend win cut Ulsan Hyundai's lead at the apex of the division to six points.

Match of the Round

Suwon FC (10th) vs Ulsan Hyundai (1st) - Sun. 24th September - 14:00

Sunday sees a clash between a side battling for first-division survival, and one hoping to get back on track in the quest to retain their league title when Suwon FC host Ulsan Hyundai. The hosts are in respectable form, having won three and lost three in their last six matches, and currently find themselves five points clear of Gangwon FC in 11th. Last time out though, Suwon FC were comfortably beaten 2-0 by Pohang Steelers, with Zeca netting both goals.

As for Ulsan, they continue to search for a way to recapture their best form. The league leaders have won just once in their last six league games, and although an AFC Champions League victory over BG Pathum United is likely to inspire confidence, Hong Myung-bo’s side need to translate that into consistent domestic results going forward, to nullify any kind of Pohang Steelers title challenge. A Joo Min-kyu penalty was enough to claim a comeback draw against Daejeon Hana Citizen last Saturday, but the Horangi will be wanting more coming into this weekend.

In both matches this season, Ulsan have been the victors, with an aggregate score of 6-1. The Horangi possess the historical advantage too, boasting seven consecutive wins over Kim Do-kyun’s men, and only a single loss to Suwon over their 14 meetings (5-2, in 2021).

Team of the Round

Pohang Steelers (vs. Daegu FC, Sun. 24th September - 19:00)

Following their victory over Suwon FC, Pohang Steelers have closed the gap with Ulsan to six points. The high-flying Steelers are unbeaten in nine league games now, with three wins in their last five. Closer to first than they are third, a belief that a push for the title could well be possible will likely be growing.

However, this weekend will be no easy task for Pohang. Daegu FC have hit a purple patch themselves, their three consecutive 1-0 wins moving them into fourth place, with a firm chance of securing a Final A place and pushing for AFC Champions League qualification. That said, the Sky Blues are winless in their last five league meetings with the Steelers (three draws, two losses).

Player of the Round

Seo Min-woo, Gangwon FC (vs. Incheon United, Sun. 24th September - 16:30)

Since returning to the Gangwon FC starting eleven in July, Seo Min-woo has proved his importance to the side. Two goals and two assists across his last six appearances mark the 25-year-old’s most prolific and creative spell of his career, while the central midfielder’s overall performances have helped lift the Bears away from bottom place more than once. This season, Seo Min-woo ranks highest amongst his central midfield teammates in metrics such as successful defensive actions per 90, interceptions, and recoveries, so continuing to mix that with his enhanced attacking play could be of real benefit to Gangwon as they look for ways to secure their K League 1 status for another year.

Up next for the Bears is Incheon United at home. The visitors are still enjoying some momentum, winning three of their last five in the league, and will no doubt be encouraged by their 4-2 AFC Champions League away victory over Yokohama F. Marinos heading into Sunday's clash.

Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 31

On Saturday, Daejeon Hana Citizen host Suwon Samsung Bluewings in a game where both teams will be seeking a way to improve their fortunes. The Purples, with one win, two draws and two losses in their last five, find themselves five points away from a Final A spot, so cannot afford a slip-up should they wish to find a route back into the top half. As for the Bluewings, they too have won once in their last five, but come into this fixture on the back of three consecutive defeats. This year, Daejeon are unbeaten in this fixture, with one win and one draw.

When Jeju United welcome FC Seoul, they'll do so having picked up one point in their last four games. The Islanders are struggling at the moment, having managed one league victory since May 27th, and as such will want to get back to winning ways quickly to make certain there will be no late-season scares when it comes to the security of their first-division status. Meanwhile, FC Seoul will be aiming to bounce back after their home defeat at the hands of Gwangju stuck a pin in a three-game unbeaten stretch and saw the capital city side move down to fifth place.

Elsewhere, Gwangju FC face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The Griffins are in fine form, winning their last three matches without conceding, and as a result, sit relatively comfortably in third place. Jeonbuk, on the other hand, are now winless in five league games and are at risk of finishing in the bottom half for the first time since 2007. Nevertheless, the Green Warriors did pick up a victory over Kitchee SC in the AFC Champions League in midweek and have beaten Gwangju in six out of the last seven attempts in all competitions.