The AFC Champions League enters the Semi Finals stage, and it’s an all K League clash in the Eastern side of the competition. The competition is split into Western and Eastern Zones right up until the final. Jeonbuk Hyundai and FC Seoul are the two top sides currently in the K League and have been strong all season in the Champions League as well. The Chinese Super League might have received a lot more coverage but Jeonbuk and Seoul have kept the K League on top.
Here is our brief preview, head-to-head details and prediction for Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. Shanghai SIPG;
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. FC Seoul (Tuesday September 28th 2016)
Jeonbuk Hyundai:
Jeonbuk have won the AFC Champions once before 10 years ago, they also reached the final back in 2011. They are currently top of the K League with a 14 point lead, with only 6 games to go. They are champions 2 seasons running now. They are undefeated in the league this season, but lost twice in the Champions League group stages and where knocked out of the Korean FA Cup to 2nd tier Bucheon 1995. There recent form has been solid with 3 wins and 3 draws from their last 6 games, including a 5-0 trumping of Shanghai SIPG in the Quarter Finals.
Key Player: 30 year old former Brazilian winger Leonardo is playing his 5th season for Jeonbuk and has been a key player during this latter part of the season, he will be pulling the strings moving forward and has 6 goals in his last 6 games.
FC Seoul:
FC Seoul have finished Champions League Runners-up twice in their history and continue in their quest to go one better. They eased though the group stages, but required penalties to get past Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds in the round of 16, but did ease past Shandong Luneng in the Quarter Finals. In the league they’re currently 14 points adrift of league leaders Jeonbuk, and realistically can’t win the league now. FC Seoul have only 1 win in 6 games, a week ago against bottom of the league Suwon FC.
Key Player: Brazilian Adriano is the Asian Champions League top scorer with 12 goals from 9 games. Also don’t forget about in-form Yun Ju-Tae 2 goals in 3 games for the former Frankfurt forward.
Head-to-Head:
They’ve played 43 times before and the record stands at;
Jeonbuk – 15 wins
FC Seoul – 14 wins
Draws – 14
Jeonbuk have won all 3 encounters so far this season (1-0, 3-2, 3-1). FC Seoul have won only 2 of the last 10 clashes.
Prediction:
Jeonbuk Hyundai 1 – 0 FC Seoul
Jeonbuk Hyundai are very strong at home and are only solid form currently. FC Seoul might be lacking form but were able to rest this past weekend. We see a close and defensive game with neither side wishing to lose before the 2nd leg in a few weeks time. We see a 1st half or early 2nd half goal from Jeonbuk with Seoul focusing on damage limitation.
Jeonbuk Hyundai vs. FC Seoul Result & Photos
Jeonbuk Hyundai 4 – 1 FC Seoul
Jeonbuk Hyundai of the semi as they hammered Seoul at home on Wednesday evening. Leonardo opened the scoring with a penalty, and Lopes scored a few minutes later to make in 2. Leonardo scored again just before half time making it almost game over after 45mins. Ju Se-Jong scored a vital away goal at the start of the second half, however Kim Shin-Wook added a 4th for Jeonbuk late on. Jeonbuk are in command heading into the 2nd leg in a few weeks time.
Highlights:
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League Round by Round Previews and More: 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 