With just a point separating the top four, and five points between top and eighth, the K League 2 standings could look a lot different after this weekend's results. The 2021 Hana 1Q K League 2 campaign reaches Round 9 with a second versus third clash between Jeonnam Dragons and FC Anyang, a win for either team would move them top of the table. Elsewhere, Ansan Greeners will be looking to build on last week's win over Daejeon when the Green Wolves face Seoul E-Land, while Hernandes of Gyeongnam FC will be keen to add to his goal tally when the Reds take on Gimcheon Sangmu.
Match of the Round
Jeonnam Dragons (2nd) vs FC Anyang (3rd)
Two in-form teams meet in Gwangyang this Saturday lunchtime when Jeonnam Dragons host FC Anyang in Round 9 of the 2021 Hana 1Q K League 2 campaign. Jeonnam are on a run of four straight wins, three in the league, and sit second in the table with only goals scored separating them from Daejeon in first. The Violets, meanwhile, have won their last four and are unbeaten in six in all competitions with three league victories and are beginning to launch an early bid for promotion.
While occupying second place in the table, the Dragons also sit second for touches in the box. Leading the charge for Jeon Kyung-jun's men is captain Lee Jong-ho who is first in K League 2 in this regard. The Violets, meanwhile, are the joint third-highest goal scorers in the division and have shown the best crossing accuracy with 38.3% of all crosses finding their intended target. Winger Mo Jae-hyeon has busied himself so far this term and is second in K League 2 for key passes made while Sim Dong-woon is first for shots made. A win for either side could move them top of the table should Daejeon fail to beat Chungnam Asan.
A first assist in K League for Indonesian international full back Asnawi Mangkualam last time out helped Ansan Greeners pick up a 1-0 victory over league leaders Daejeon Hana Citizen. It was as second win on the spin for the Green Wolves who now sit fourth in the table but level on points with Line 4 Derby rivals FC Anyang. The Greeners have made their way up to fourth in the table thanks to having the second best shooting accuracy in K League 2 at 37% and the second best crossing accuracy also at 37%. This Sunday evening, Ansan make the short trip to the capital to take on Seoul E-Land knowing that a win could move them top should results elsewhere go their way.
Player of the Round
Hernades (Gyeongnam FC)
Gyeongnam FC picked up a first league win in five last time out, comprehensively dispatching Bucheon FC 1995 with a 3-0 home victory. On the scoresheet for the Reds was Brazilian forward Hernandes who bagged a second half brace. Although the 21-year-old had already opened his account for Gyeongnam earlier in the month, against Bucheon Hernandes scored in a Gyeongnam win for the first time. The pacey winger scored three in 16 appearances for Jeonnam Dragons last year and so has already matched that tally in 2021. His goals also helped Seol Ko-hyeon's side move off the foot of the table and will have provided a much-needed confidence boost heading into this Sunday's meeting with Gimcheon Sangmu.
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 9 Fixtures
Saturday 1st May
#JDFCvANY: Jeonnam Dragons (2nd) vs FC Anyang (3rd) - 13:30 #DHFCvCAFC: Daejeon Hana Citizen (1st) vs Chungnam Asan (7th) - 16:00
Sunday 2nd May
#GIMvGYE: Gimcheon Sangmu (6th) vs Gyeongnam FC (9th) - 13:30 #BUCvBUS: Bucheon FC 1995 (10th) vs Busan IPark (8th - 16:00 #SEFCvANS: Seoul E-Land (5th) vs Ansan Greeners (4th) - 18:30
Watch Live
Follow the weekend's action live and for FREE on tv.kleague.com
