The big day has arrived for both Jeonbuk Motors and Pohang Steelers as they meet in the Final of the Korean FA Cup (KFA Cup). Although the cup isn’t really well supported it does have the benefit of a AFC champion league place.
There are also a couple of K League Classic games one which was pushed back and one which has been moved forward. Plus the K League Challenge has a full fixture list.
Here is our preview of the Korean FA Cup Final plus prediction as well as the K League Classic ties.
Korean FA Cup Final 2013
Jeonbuk Motors vs. Pohang Steelers (1.30pm on October 19th)
This final will be hosted by Jeonbuk Motors who are currently 2nd in the K League Classic, but only on goal difference apart from away side Pohang Steelers. Jeonbuk Motors had a pretty solid route to the final:
2 – 0 vs. Yongin City (H)
1 – 0 vs. Ulsan Hyundai (A)
7 – 2 vs. Suwon City (H)
3 – 1 vs. Busan I’Park (A)
Current FA Cup holders Pohang also progressed to the final without to much difficulty apart from the game against Seongnam:
4 – 0 vs. Soongsil University (H)
1 – 1 (4-2 pens) vs. Seongnam (A)
2 – 1 vs. Gyeongnam (A)
4 – 2 vs. Jeju United (A)
Both teams maybe flying high in the league however Pohang have drawn their last 4 games with their last win in the cup. Jeonbuk have done a little better with 2 wins and 2 draws in their last 4 games. This is a tricky game to predict as both sides are on inconsistent form, however we feel that Pohang have more cup luck and will retain their title.
Prediction: 1 – 2
Result
Jeonbuk Motors 1 – 1 Pohang Steelers (3-4 on Pens)
An interesting game with the only goals coming in the first half. Broadcaster MBC seemed uninterested in showing extra time and interest the rest of the game was shown on MBC Sports+. Many fans were pretty annoyed with this however they didn’t miss much. Pohang Steelers retain their FA Cup and gain entry into next years AFC Champions League.
Here are highlights of the penalty shootout for those who missed it:
K League Classic:
Sunday October 20th:
FC Seoul vs. Ulsan Hyundai (2pm) – Championship Group
FC Seoul (4th) host Ulsan Hyundai (3rd) in this delayed championship group game. Both teams are still in the title race however Ulsan could take the lead with an away win. Both sides have had pretty varied form recently and with both sides expecting players back from international duty it’s a tough one to call and looks like a possible draw.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Jeju United vs. Daejeon Citizen (3pm) – Relegation Group
Jeju United with 7 games to play are already mathematically safe and therefore are just playing for fun. Bottom side Daejeon only have 6 games reminding and are 9 points from the relegation playoff spot and 14 points from safety, so things are not looking good. Although Jeju haven’t done so well recently they are always strong at home and we don’t see Daejeon recovering this late in the season.
Prediction: 2 – 0
K League Classic Results
Sunday October 20th
Championship Group:
FC Seoul 0 – 2 Ulsan Hyundai
Ulsan have now extended their lead over FC Seoul and the rest of the casing pack.
Relegation Group:
Jeju United 0 – 1 Daejeon Citizen
An own goal gives Daejeon just their 3rd win of the season and gives them a slim piece of hope.
Our FA Cup and K League Classic Predictions Round Up
Our FA Cup prediction was the correct result but not a perfect score. Both of our K League Classic predictions were wrong :(.
K League Challenge
The K League Challenge season continues to roll on and the race for the championship is still really close. There are just 7 games reminding 1 point in it. This weekends key games on between bottom club Chungju Hummel and 2nd placed Korean Police as well as the game between FC Anyang and Sangju Sangmu. If either away team trips up it may close them the title.
K League Challenge Round 29 Results
Chungju Hummel 3 – 2 Korean Police – This is a big surprise as bottom club came from behind to bet 2nd placed Korean Police.
Goyang Hi 2 – 0 Suwon City FC – This was less surprising.
Gwangju 0 – 3 Bucheon 1995
FC Anyang 2 – 3 Sangju Sangmu
Closing
For information on the previous round a little over a week ago, K League Classic Round 32 – Hangul Day please CLICK HERE.
As always if you have anything you’d like to add please let us know and week.
We will try and keep things updated as best as possible via Twitter (and little via Facebook).
Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 