Gyeongnam FC goes into the weekend on the back of a good point on their travels against Bucheon FC 1995. Willyan was on the scoresheet with just fifteen minutes left on the clock to salvage a draw for Seol Ki-hyeon's men through a well-hit low drive. Both goals of the 1-1 draw came after the interval with the hosts getting their noses in front through a pile driver from winger Lee Si-heon. It was a closely contested game with both goalkeepers being tested throughout. Gyeongnam will want to improve their home form, having lost four out of eight in Changwon this campaign.
Daejeon Hana Citizen travels south on the back of a goalless draw at home to fellow promotion-pushing outfit Ansan Greeners. Of late, the Purples have endured some patchy form and remain winless in three games. The indifferent run started with a 2-1 home reversal to current league leaders FC Anyang, followed by a comprehensive 3-1 defeat on the road against Chungnam Asan. Only picking up a point at home last time out would have disappointed the Daejeon faithful. They will be hoping for an improved performance this Saturday.
Team News
Gyeongnam enters the clash with the squad near enough full-strength bar long-term absentee Lim Min-hyeok who picked up a lengthy-looking ankle injury in the FA Cup clash at home to Mokpo City FC earlier this season. There is still no timetable for his return. The good news is that national team striker Lee Jeong-hyeop is set to make a return after being out for three weeks. The former Busan IPark player will likely start on the bench for the Reds this weekend.
Daejeon Hana Citizen travel south in good health and with a suspension-free squad at manager Lee Min-sung disposal. However, Uzbekistan National Team midfielder Ikromjon Alibaev will be unavailable as he is still in isolation after returning from international duty. Number one keeper Kim Dong-jun and defender Lee Ji-sol both missed the last game after getting vaccines (potential Olympic squad members) but could return for the clash. Brazilian forward Edinho has played this last game for the Purples and is due to return to Brazil after his loan spell came to an end.
Head-to-Head
These two have clashed twice already this campaign with Daejeon winning the latter of the fixtures 2-1 at Purple Arena. The first game ended in a 1-1 draw in Changwon and was an entertaining affair with diminutive forward Edinho opening the scoring on 61 minutes, only for experienced campaigner Ko Kyung-min to level matters just nine minutes later. Daejeon put in a much-improved performance in the last fixture at home, opening the scoring as early as the seventh minute through exciting young striker Park In-hyeok, only to be pegged back within two minutes through winger Hwang Il-soo. However, the points were to remain at home when Brazilian forward Pato popped up with the winner on the hour mark.
What to Watch
Can Gyeongnam become more resolute in defence?
The solidarity of the defence has been a real cause for concern for manager Seol Ki-hyeon this season. The team has conceded twenty-one goals in seventeen matches with only three clean sheets in that time frame. The Reds have no problem scoring goals but it's at the other end with which will concern Seol. Of late, he has had the luxury of late of selecting the same back four, so will expect to see an improvement heading into the second half of the campaign.
How can Daejeon get out of this mini-slump they find themselves in?
Only picking up a point out of a possible nine in recent weeks has seen Daejeon fall from the summit of K League 2 to fourth in the division. The talent they possess in the squad is evident to see and their last home victory was an eye-catching one - a 4-1 scoreline at home to Bucheon FC 1995. The game was all but over by halftime with striker Park In-hyeok bagging himself a hattrick in the first half an hour. The Purples will need Park firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later if they are to get out of the mini rut they find themselves in.
Who to Watch
Willyan
The Brazilian winger signed from K League 1 outfit Gwangju in the off-season but didn't get off to the best of starts for his new club due to a niggling hamstring problem. He took some time to focus on getting fit and came back looking leaner and stronger and he is starting to show his ability on the pitch. With four goals to his name and with him starting to form great relationships with players all over the pitch, Willyan will be looking to help the team push up the division sooner rather than later.
Where to Watch
Gyeongnam FC vs Daejeon Hana Citizen kicks off at 16:00 KST on Saturday.
Follow the action live and for FREE on
tv.kleague.com.
K League United Columnist
