There's lots to look forward to in K League 2 this weekend with first hosting third, a rival clash between Seongnam and Suwon Bluewings, and a tight playoff race. A look ahead to Round 18 of the 2024 Hana Bank K League 2.
Match of the Round
FC Anyang (1st) vs. Seoul E-Land (3rd) - Sat. 22nd June, 19:00
First host third this Saturday night when FC Anyang entertain Seoul E-Land. Anyang suffered defeat last time out and so will be determined to return to winning ways. Seoul E-Land sat the last round out but before their schedule-imposed break, had been on a run of three unbeaten with back-to-back wins. The Leopards are also the league's top scorers with 30 goals, averaging two per match and 1.77 per 90 (the highest in the league). Anyang, too, are hot in front of goal with 24 scored - the third most - and have the third-best defence having shipped just 16, one more than Seoul E-Land. Saturday's game, then, is one between two teams who are potent in front of goal and tight at the back.
FC Anyang won the first meeting of 2024, easing past the Leopards in the capital by a score of two to one thanks to a brace from Matheis Oliveira. The Brazilian - Anyang's top scorer with four - hasn't scored since April, though, and so will be looking to make amends this weekend. Seoul E-Land's top scorer is also the league's hottest marksman; Bruno Silva has 10 for the campaign. Only one has come from the spot and four have been the game's opening goal.
A win for FC Anyang could extend their lead at the top to five points given that Jeonnam are not in action this weekend. A win for Seoul E-Land, meanwhile, would bring them to within two points of the K League 2 summit.
Team of the Round
Seongnam FC (vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Sat. 22nd June - 19:30)
Seongnam FC's 3-1 win over league leaders FC Anyang last time out has put them firmly in the race for the playoffs. Now only two points behind the top five, the Magpies are seeking to make it three straight wins for the first time this season. The win was also the first time Seongnam have won by more than a two-goal margin this season. Seongnam showed great character to go on and earn the win, too, as Kim Dong-jin's equaliser for Anyang made it look as though the Violets were going to take the initiative. However, Park Ji-won made it 2-1 on the hour mark before Kim Jeong-hwan made it three on 75 with scorer turning provider. Seongnam have shown themselves to be a team that likes to get crosses into the box, sitting first in K League 2 in that regard, and with the fourth-highest shooting accuracy at 42%. Up next is rivals Suwon Bluewings and the team that currently sits in the last playoff places, meaning a win at Big Bird this Saturday could propel Choi Cheol-woo's men into those much-coveted playoff spots. Seongnam came out on top when the two teams met earlier in the campaign.
Player of the Round
Jucie Lupeta, Bucheon FC 1995 (vs. Chungbuk Cheongju, Sun. 23rd June - 19:00)
Bucheon FC 1995 may feel like the 1-1 draw with Jeonnam Dragons last time out was two points lost rather than one point gained, given that the Dragons struck late on to secure a point, but the Hermes extended their unbeaten run to five thanks, in part, to Jucie Lupeta. The Portuguese scored his fifth goal of the campaign to get Bucheon up and running, showing determined and direct centre forward play to break free of his man before ramming the ball into the back of the net. Lupeta is Bucheon's top scorer and is third in K League 2 for shooting accuracy at 50%. This has helped the 31-year-old stay very close to his xG of 4.98. Up next for Lupeta and Bucheon is the visit of Chungbuk Cheongju this Sunday.
[READ: 2024 K League 1 Round 18 Preview ]
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 18 Fixtures
Saturday 22nd June
#CAFCvGYE: Chungnam Asan (7th) vs. Gyeongnam FC (12th) - 19:00
#SSBvSFC: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (6th) vs. Seongnam FC (10th) - 19:30
#ANYvSEFC: FC Anyang (1st) vs. Seoul E-Land (3rd) - 19:30
Sunday 23rd June
#ANSvCCFC: Ansan Greeners (13th) vs. Cheonan City (11th) - 19:00
#BUCvCHFC: Bucheon FC 1995 (8th) vs. Chungbuk Cheongju (9th) - 19:00
#GFCvBUS: Gimpo FC (4th) vs. Busan IPark (5th) - 19:00
No game: Jeonnam Dragons
