Seoul kicked off Round 3 with a 2-1 win over Pohang. Suwon, Incheon, Gangwon, and Seongnam are in action on Saturday. Here’s the Korean League Round 3 Saturday football preview.
Winless Suwon vs Goalless Incheon
Suwon was undone by a late goal in the 2020 Korean League opener, while in the Round 2 fixture, they there were leading 2-0, but Ulsan hit back and won the match 2-3.
The last season’s tenth-placed Incheon grabbed a point against a strong Daegu and Seongnam in their opening matches. They grabbed a clean sheet in both matches but are yet to score a goal this season.
Head-to-Head (2019 Korean League)
27.10.2019: Incheon 1-1 Suwon
10.08.2019: Suwon 0-1 Incheon
10.07.2019: Incheon 2-3 Suwon
31.03.2019: Suwon 3-1 Incheon
The Key Players
Suwon
Seung-beom Ko (MID): The midfielder scored a spectacular long-ranger against Ulsan last week. He also made three successful interceptions and won three tackles.
Ki-hun Yeom (MID): Ki-hun’s wonderful cross from the right was headed into the net by Sulejman Krpic to give Suwon a 2-0 lead. The winger had a passing accuracy of 90%.
Sulejman Krpic (FWD): Krpic scored on his K-League debut as he found the net immediately after the second half. He also made two clearances and had a passing accuracy of 86.36%.
Doneil Henry (DEF): Suwong conceded three goals in the second half, but Doneil Henry made six clearances, two interceptions and had a shot on target.
Incheon
Ji-Hwan Mun (DEF): The centre-back was the best Incheon player on the pitch against Seongnam in Round 2. He made 12 clearances, three tackles, and won all the ground and aerial duels.
Yeon-Su Kim (DEF): Ji-Hwan’s centre-back pair Yeon-Su, too, had a brilliant game against Seongnam. The 26-year-old made five clearances, won three tackles and passing accuracy was 90%.
Do-hyeok Kim (MID): Do-hyeok produced a solid display in midfield against Seongnam. He won four tackles, made three interceptions, and made two successful dribbles.
Seong-ju Kim (MID): Seong-Ju was a constant threat for Seongnam, and the 29-year-old’s cross resulted in Incheon’s best chance of the match.
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Wobbly Gangwon vs Rock-solid Seongnam
Seongnam is yet to concede a goal this season and has claimed four points in two games. The last season’s ninth-placed team won their first match 0-2 but was held to a stalemate by Incheon last week.
Head-to-Head (2019 Korean League)
25.09.2019: Seongnam 1-0 Gangwon
19.05.2019: Seongnam 1-2 Gangwon
31.03.2019: Gangwon 2-1 Seongnam
The Key Players
Gangwon
Guk-yeong Han (MID): Guk-Yeong was one of the few Gangwon players who had a decent outing in the 2-0 defeat against Sangju. The 30-year-old had a 90% passing accuracy in the match.
Jae-wan Jo (FWD): In the Round 2 match, the 24-year-old went past two Sangju defenders and set up a perfect pass to Seok-Hwa Jeong (MID), who was in front of goal but chested it over the bar.
Seongnam
Je-Un Yeon (DEF): The centre-back had a passing accuracy of 95% and created the best chance against Incheon. Je-Un’s fantabulous cross from outside the box found the unmarked Yang Dong-Hyun (FWD), but the striker couldn’t tap the ball into the net.
Tae-heui Lee (DEF): Tae-heui, who had a shot on target in the last match, had a fine performance against Incheon as he set up an excellent chance for Byeong-Chan Choi (MID), and won two tackles and had a passing accuracy of 87%. Though, the right-back missed a sitter in the final minutes of the match.
Ji-Moog Choi (DEF): The youngster played as a left-back against Incheon and had an impressive game. He registered 93% passing accuracy and won all the aerial and ground duels.
Dong-Hyeon Kim (MID): The 22-year-old, who picked up an assist against Gwangju, played a stellar role guarding back four. He won three tackles and had an 83% passing accuracy.
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