Two teams that will be seen as promotion favourites in Daejeon Hana Citizen and FC Anyang have had contrasting fortunes so far this term. Daejeon are yet to win and were dumped out of the FA Cup in midweek to K3 side Hwaseong FC while FC Anyang sit third with two wins from three and booked their place in the third round of the cup following a 1-0 win over Siheung.
The Purples are playing at home in the league for the first time this season, though, and will want to put on a good show for their supporters, as well as bounce back from the FA Cup loss on Wednesday. In the league last time out, Masa was able to get on the scoresheet for the first time this term after being deployed in a more advanced role. Lee Hyun-sik and Lee In-gyun both came off the bench to play their part in the build-up and will be hoping they did enough to earn a starting berth.
FC Anyang lost last time out but thought they had rescued a draw. Gyeongnam held a two-goal lead after 16 minutes but goals from Acosty and Kim Kyung-jung had the Violets level, only for Park Jae-hwan to find a 71st-minute winner. FC Anyang are the league's second-highest scorers so far with five goals, Daejeon have scored just once but have played one game fewer. But the head-to-head record over the last 10 meetings leans heavily in Daejeon's favour with five wins to Anyang's one and four draws.
Team of the Round
Seoul E-Land (vs. Gimpo FC, Sat. 12th March)
Seoul E-Land are the only team in K League 1 or 2 that has a perfect record so far this season. The Leopards have picked up two wins from two and are yet to concede a goal. The most recent was perhaps more fortuitous, though, having earned the three points via an own goal. But Seoul's firepower ought not to be disregarded as Chung Jung-yong's men sit third in the division for shots made, first per 90 with 17. Seoul are particularly dangerous in the box and sit third in terms of shots dispatched in the 18-yard area and second per 90 minutes. Up next for the Leopards is a trip to Gimpo as the first K League away team to visit Solteo Football Stadium. Gimpo have begun the new season with two wins and one loss and will be playing at home for the first time as a K League team.
Player of the Round
Hernandes, Gyeongnam FC (vs. Jeonnam Dragons, Sun. 13th March)
With three goals to his name in 2022, Gyeongnam FC's Hernandes Rodrigues. The Brazilian's most recent strikes came in the 3-2 win over FC Anyang last weekend, giving the Reds a two-goal lead inside 16 minutes. It is perhaps of little surprise then to know that Hernandes sits joint top in K League 2 for shots made with 11 and is first for shots on target with 18 and first per 90 minutes. Hernandes sat out the 2-0 FA Cup win over Seoul Jungnang on Wednesday and so should be fresh to face his former club Jeonnam Dragons.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 4
Ansan Greeners will be looking to pick up their first win of the season this Saturday afternoon when the Green Warriors host Gwangju FC. The Yellows, though, picked up their first win last time out, overcoming Daejeon on the opening day. Busan IPark are at home to Bucheon FC 1995 also looking for a first win this term. Bucheon sit top of the table with seven points after back-to-back wins and are one of only two teams that are thus far unbeaten.
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 4 Fixtures
Saturday 6th March
#GIMvSEFC: Gimpo FC (4th) vs Seoul E-Land (5th) - 13:30 KLeagueTV
#ANSvGWA: Ansan Greeners (9th) vs Gwangju FC (6th) - 13:30 KLeagueTV
#DHFCvANY: Daejeon Hana Citizen (10th) vs FC Anyang (3rd) - 16:00 KLeagueTV
Sunday 7th March
#GYEvJDFC: Gyeongnam FC (2nd) vs Jeonnam Dragons (11th) - 13:30 KLeagueTV
#BUSvBUC: Busan IPark (7th) vs Bucheon FC 1995 (1st) - 16:00 KLeagueTV
Paul Neat
Editor in Chief
