K-League Round 4 Preview
Lee Keun-Ho on fire in Round 3...will he add to his hattrick against Daegu??
With 3 rounds done already the big 4 (plus Gwangju surprisingly) have steamed ahead of the pack with a 3 point lead and already seem to be a class above everybody else. Pohang and Seongnam would have expected to have been there with them but with both teams failing to grab a win as yet they need to start stamping their mark rather quickly or the season will be over for them before it has hardly begun. Some very interesting matchups this week so lets have a look at what is in store.
Saturday – 3pm
*Jeju vs. Suwon – Suwon have had an easy start but this could be their first real test to see how strong the Bluewings really are. They are yet to concede a goal but Jeju does have it in them to threaten that perfect record here. Jeju as well have not been given a very strong opponent as yet and should have done better in Gwangju last week losing in the last seconds of the game. Big surprise for Jeju has been rookie Il Hwan-Bae with 3 goals so far while Radoncic has been a revelation for Suwon grabbing 2 braces in a row. I can see Suwon just squeaking home here but it wont be easy and I can see Jeju getting a goal to spoil the perfect defensive record. Pred: 1-2
FUN FACT: If Suwon win this that will be FIVE AWAY WINS IN A ROW (stretching back to last season), something they haven’t done in 4 years.
*Busan vs. Gwangju – Gwangju are off to a fast start and are undefeated after three while Busan are yet to get on the win board yet but this could be seen as their easiest clash of the season so far. They are due a win however and with new signing Matt McKay having a couple of runs under his legs this could be the advantage they need. Gwangju do have a lot of attacking talent though with Joao Paulo looking good with goals coming in 2 games in a row. He along with man mountain Macadonian Milic could be the perfect combination. Very tough to pick this one and to be honest could go either way but I feel a home win might just get up here….only just though. Pred: 2-1
FUN FACT: If Busan DRAW this game that would be THREE DRAWS IN A ROW, something that hasn’t happened for almost EIGHT YEARS.
*Chunnam vs. Gyeongnam – Both teams come into this one in some average form with Gyeongnam losing to Sangmu at home last week while Chunnam have failed to trouble the winning column and have managed only 1 goal in 3 games. It was predicted before the season started that Chunnam would really struggle to score and so it has been proven. Gyeongnam on the other hand are not having much trouble scoring but are porous at the back letting in 5 goals in their last 2 games. Chunnam really need a home win here to kick start their season but have been very uninspiring so far with Aussie Matt Simon failing to impress. If Gyeongnam can tighten up at the back they can steal a nice away win here but I am not expecting a lot of goals. Pred: 1-1
FUN FACT: Gyeongnam HAVE NEVER WON at Chunnam in 6 attempts.
*Incheon vs. Daejeon (5pm) – Is it possible to have a relegation 6 pointer in round 4??? Both teams will be desperate to take the other out here as they have both lost all 3 games and with relegation in play these are the games they will have to win if they are to avoid the drop at seasons end. Incheon have scored a total of one goal while Daejeon have scored a grand total of ZERO and according to reports both teams tactics have been extremely negative as well. This is not the time for negativity and hopefully both teams will come alive. Kevin Oris looks to be in for a long season at Daejeon (if he makes it to the end) but if he can get something here he could be the clubs saviour. Incheon meanwhile will be praying that their new stadium will give them some kind of small advantage to get them off the foot of the table. I am hoping this has goals everywhere but it doesn’t look likely. Incheon to break their duck at home but don’t expect a classic. Pred: 1-0.
FUN FACT: Incheon HAVEN’T LOST at HOME to Daejeon since April 2006 (or 6 years) in any competition, a run of 8 games (and have lost to them once in that time).
Sunday – 3pm
*Seoul vs. Jeonbuk – GAME OF THE ROUND here with both teams coming into this undefeated with 2 wins and a draw. Both were tipped at the start of the season to be near the top of the table at seasons end and this will be a good early season test. Seoul have had an easy start playing teams that are not expected to be in the top half come the split while Jeonbuk looked strong against Seongnam in the first round but failed to win against lesser opposition at home last Saturday. Seoul at home are very strong and very rarely slip up and Jeonbuk’s away form is not too shabby either which sets this up as a cracker of a game. Another one that could go either way but it is always hard to look past great home form no matter who the opposition is. Seoul to get up in an entertaining clash. Pred: 3-2.
FUN FACT: Seoul have now WON NINE REGULAR LEAGUE games IN A ROW at HOME. A run stretching back to last June (or a bit over 9 months).
*Gangwon vs. Seongnam – who would have thought Gangwon would be 3 points clear of Seongnam after 3 rounds a month ago?? Nobody, but it has happend with Gangwon turning out some good stuff this season while Seongnam have had it tough and were to be frank quite poor in Ulsan last Friday night. Seongnam really need to stop the rot and start getting some results on the board and they will see this as a must win game. They have had 2 tough away trips so far at Jeonju and Ulsan and can excused for losses there but lose here and questions will really start to be asked. Gangwon had their first tough encounter at Suwon and didn’t do too much and even with Seongnam’s bad start this could be a too hard as well. I expect Seongnam to start clicking together and get their first win of the season in Gangneung. Pred: 0-2.
FUN FACT: A GANGWON WIN would give them THREE HOME WINS IN A ROW, this would be a CLUB RECORD.
*Sangju vs. Pohang – another game where the powerhouse find themselves much lower down than expected while the army boys must be shocked to find themselves in the top half after 2 relatively tough away trips in a row where they went undefeated with a win and a draw. Sangmu have started off fast once again just like last season and for all neutrals hopefully they can keep it going instead of fading badly. Pohang surprisingly have yet to register a win and just like Seongnam above really need to kick it into gear very quickly before they get left behind. Zicu is starting to look good though almost getting a hattrick last round before being disallowed the third goal after a lot of Busan protesting. Sangju have gained a lot of their strength from Pohang player Kim Hyung-Il so will be interesting to see if he does play his hardest against the team that owns him. Sangju have been very hard to predict but I think Pohang can do the business here. Pred: 1-2.
FUN FACT: The military team (in its Sangmu or Gwangju form) have NEVER WON against Pohang in ANY COMPETITION..a run of 22 matches.
*Daegu vs. Ulsan (5pm) – this looks like a bit of a mismatch here with Ulsan looking very very strong in early season going. Lee Guen Ho put away his first career hattrick last round and Ulsan have so much class up front Daegu will be running for cover. Daegu are not without claims holding Seoul to a draw at home in Round 1 and while they look like they have enough to stay out of that dreaded bottom spot after an uninspiring win at home last round against Incheon, against the top teams it will be another story. Ulsan to maintain their perfect league start in Daegu and could quite possibly be the only team with 4 wins out of 4 come Sunday night. It is hard to see anything but an easy away win here. Pred: 0-2.
FUN FACT: Ulsan have won 6 out of the last 7 league games and are undefeated against Daegu stretching back to April 2008 (or 4 years)
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