Due to the Asian Champions League Semi Finals coming towards the end of the month, two games around that time involving FC Seoul and Jeonbuk Hyundai have been moved forward. Also the whole of the K League is off this coming weekend due to the start of the Olympic Games in Rio. This game features two sides firmly in the champions league qualification hunt (less so the championship anymore). 4th placed Seongnam FC and 2nd placed FC Seoul. Here is our preview for Seongnam FC vs. FC Seoul;
Seongnam FC vs. FC Seoul (Wednesday August 3rd 2016)
Seongnam FC:
They are currently 4th in the league, a couple of places down from earlier in the season. They looked average at the weekend drawing away against 11th placed Incheon United, a slightly lucky goal saved them a point. That draw means they now only have 1 win from their last 5 league games. They also haven’t won in the league at home since the start of May, in fact they’re better away from home. Their star player was top goalscorer Tiago Alves, however he moved to the middle east during the transfer window. Hwang Eui-Jo is now their main target man, but with only 6 goal so far these season he certainly has some big boots to fill.
FC Seoul:
FA Cup winners last season and currently 2nd in the league. They eased past Pohang on Sunday evening 2-0 . Their recent form has been inconsistent with 2 wins and 2 defeats from their last 4 in the league. However just like Seongnam they’ve been better playing away from home so far this season. Their Key player will be record scorer Dejan Damjanović, 8 goals now this season, and he looks to be hitting form this summer.
Head-to-Head: They’ve played each other twice this season, with both sides winning 1 game each. Seoul won away back in May 3-2. Whilst Seongnam won at the Seoul World Cup Stadium 3-1 in June.
Last season they both won once and the other 2 games ended 1-1.
It’s been over 3 years since Seongnam FC have beaten FC Seoul at home (Tancheon).
Since 2003 they’ve played 38 times. With the record standing narrowly in Seoul’s favor, Seoul (14) draws (11) and Incheon (13).
Prediction: Seongnam FC 1 – 2 FC Seoul
FC Seoul are still second partly due to the sides below them failing to capitalize on their recent drop in form, however they have an impressive squad. Although they’ve been inconsistent recently they are a side that seem to be able to find that extra gear in big games. Seongnam won’t go down without a fight, but the question remains on where the goal will come from without Tiago. Therefore we see Seoul edging this one.
Also here is an updated league table from after this past weekends fixtures;
Seongnam FC vs. FC Seoul Result & photos
Seongnam FC 1 – 2 FC Seoul
A real story of two halves here as both sides had their moments. Seongnam scored first with new Brazilian signing Silvinho scoring from the edge of the box after 15minutes. The game don’t come back to live again until the 73rd minute when record goal scorer Dejan Damjanović hit home and then completed the turnaround 7mins later with his 150th in the K League. The result moves Seoul to within 12points of leaders Jeonbuk.
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League Round by Round Previews and More: CLICK HERE
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Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 