The K League Classic moves into the 37th round of the season, the penultimate round of the season. At this stage of the season the top 6 and bottom 6 will play each other 1 more time. The top 6 are aiming for a top 3 Champions League place, Jeonbuk have already claimed the 2014 K League Classic Title whilst Suwon have tied up 2nd place. On the other hand the bottom 6 are trying to avoid bottom spot and relegation, as well as 11th placed the relegation playoff place.
K League Classic League Table
As there has now been 36 games played (2 remaining) and we’ve pasted the leagues end of season split. Here for reference here is the latest K League Classic 2014 League Table; including Games Played, Points and Goal Difference:
The league table does make for interesting reading and there are a number of tight areas. To make it a little easier we’ve split the preview by top and bottom.
Championship Round: Jeonbuk have already been confirmed as champions and Suwon runners up. Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul both still have a chance for the 3rd champions league place. Although FC Seoul could take the 4th spot if they win the cup on Sunday. Jeju and Ulsan are now basically playing for fun.
Relegation Round: Sangju Sangmu are currently bottom 3 points from 11th and 5 points from safety. Seongnam are still in 11th place. Gyeongnam, Incheon United and Busan are all still be dangerous positions but they have their own fate in their hands. Just a win would most likely be enough at this late stage of the season.
K League Classic 2014 Round 36 Previews & Predictions
This round of games are split between Saturday and Wednesday due to the FA Cup final on Sunday afternoon. 4 Games on Saturday and 2 games on Wednesday (featuring the FA Cup Finalists). Here are brief previews of this weekends K League Classic Round 37 Games;
Saturday November 22nd 2014:
Suwon Bluewings vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (4pm) – Championship Round
Saturdays first Championship Round game is between champions Jeonbuk Hyundai and confirmed runners up Suwon Bluewings.
Suwon Bluewings have only lost 2 in their last 15 games.
Jeonbuk have won 8 in a row and have the best defensive and attacking records in the league.
With neither side having much to play for now we see this ending in a draw.
Prediction: 1 – 1
Ulsan Hyundai vs. Jeju United (5pm) – Championship Round
Saturdays second Championship Round game is between 6th placed Ulsan Hyundai and 5th placed Jeju United.
Ulsan have only 2 wins from their last 10 games.
Jeju United have just 1 win in their last 6 games and have lost their last 2.
Both sides are struggling for form and this looks like a draw on paper.
Prediction: 0 – 0
Gyeongnam vs. Busan I’Park (2pm) – Relegation Round
Saturdays first early game is between 10th placed Gyeongnam and 8th placed Busan I’Park.
Gyeongnam have 2 wins in 4 games and have drawn the other 2.
Busan I’Park have 5 wins and 4 draws from their last 9 games.
Both of these sides aren’t losing at the moment, however Gyeongnam have more to play for and therefore we’re giving them the edge.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Sangju Sangmu (2pm) – Relegation Round
Saturdays 2nd relegation round game is between 8th placed Busan I’Park and already safe 7th placed Jeonnam Dragons.
Jeonnam have only won 1 in 12 and seem to be looking to next season already.
Sangju Sangmu have lost 4 of their last 7 and only drawn their previous 2 games.
This is a hard one to call but as Sangju Sangmu could be relegated if they lose we’re giving them a fighting edge.
Prediction: 0 – 1
Wednesday November 26th 2014:
FC Seoul vs. Pohang Steelers (7.30pm) – Championship Round
Wednesdays Championship round game features FA Cup finalists FC Seoul (4th) and 3rd placed Pohang Steelers.
FC Seoul have 2 wins from their last 5 league games.
Pohang Steelers have just 1 win in 10 games.
FC Seoul will be the favorites to win this one, but maybe a little tried after Sundays Cup final.
Prediction: 2 – 1
Incheon United vs. Seongnam FC (7.30pm) – Relegation Round
Wednesdays relegation round game is between 9th placed Incheon United and FA Cup Finalists and 11th placed Seongnam FC.
Incheon United have picked up just 9 points from their last 7 games.
Seongnam have just 1 win in 7 games, and have drawn their last 3 games.
A win for Incheon will secure safety but a draw may also be enough and that’s how we see this one ending.
Prediction: 1 – 1
K League Classic 2014 Round 37 Results
Saturday November 22nd:
Gyeongnam 0 – 1 Busan I’Park (Relegation Round)
Jeonnam Dragons 3 – 1 Sangju Sangmu (Relegation Round)
Busan I’Park are now 100% safe. Sangju Sangmu are all but relegated, they need Seongnam to lose both of their remaining games and there to be a 16 goal swing.
Suwon Bluewings 1 – 2 Jeonbuk Hyundai (Championship Round)
Ulsan Hyundai 0 – 1 Jeju United (Championship Round)
Wednesday November 26th:
FC Seoul 0 – 0 Pohang Steelers (Championship Round)
A single point from this weekends game will be enough to confirm Pohangs place in next seasons Asian Champions League. FC Seoul lost the FA Cup final at the weekend and their luck does seem to be out at the end of this season.
Incheon United 0 – 1 Seongnam (Relegation Round)
So far it’s been a great week for Seongnam, who now just need to better Gyeongnams result this coming Saturday to confirm their place in next seasons K League Classic. Incheon United are still not safe yet but only need a point this coming weekend.
Pictures and Instagram Posts from K League Classic Round 37
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K League Classic 2014 Round 37 Predictions Round Up
It was a bad week.
KFA Korean FA Cup Final 2014
The FA Cup in South Korea might not hold the same level of interest and respect as the English version but it’s still a major trophy in Korea and the winners also receive a spot in next seasons Asian Champions League. The years final is between FC Seoul and Seongnam FC here are their routes to the final:
FC Seoul’s Route to the FA Cup Final:
3rd Round: 3 – 2 (AET) vs. Incheon United
4th Round: 2 – 2 (4 – 2 Pens) vs. Pohang Steelers
Quarter Final: 2 – 1 (AET) vs. Busan I’Park
Semi Final: 1 – 0 vs. Sangju Sangmu
Seongnam FC’s Route to the FA Cup Final:
3rd Round: 1 – 0 vs. Daegu
4th Round: 2 – 1 (AET) vs. Gwangju
Quarter Final: 2 – 1 vs. Yeungnam University
Semi Final: 0 – 0 (5 – 4 Pens) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai
FC Seoul have performed better in the league this year than Seongnam and also progressed to the semi finals of the Asian Champions League.
Both sides have won the FA Cup once before in their histories.Finally we feel that FC Seoul will come into this game as favorites and should have enough strength in depth to win the game and the cup.
Prediction: 2 – 1
FA Cup Final 2014 Result and Pictures
Sunday November 23rd:
FC Seoul 0 – 0 (2 – 4 Pens) Seongnam FC
Seongnam take the surprise win and will therefore enter next years Asian Champions League Group Stage.
K League Challenge 2014 (Playoff Semi-Final)
This weekend is the first K League Challenge playoff game and is the semi final between Gangwon and Gwangju. It’s a one off game and Gangwon will progress if in ends in a draw. It should be an interesting game and the winners will progress to the final where they’ll meet Ansan Police.
For reference here is the final end of season standing for the 2014 K League Challenge. Daejeon who wrapped up the title a few weeks ago finished top with Ansan, Gangwon and Gwangju in the playoff places. FC Anyang and Suwon City just missed out in 5th and 6th. Daegu and Goyang Hi will be hoping for improved seasons next year. Chungju Hummel and Bucheon 1995 complete the table.
K League Challenge Playoff Semi-Final Result:
Saturday November 22nd:
Gangwon 0 – 1 Gwangju
Gwangju therefore progress to the Playoff Final were they will face Ansan Police for a place in the Relegation/Promotion Playoff Final.
Finally
For information on the previous round of K League Classic and Challenge action, K League Classic 2014 Round 36 CLICK HERE.
As always if you have anything you’d like to add please let us know.
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 