For Incheon United fans the Gyeongin Derby against FC Seoul is the must win game of the season. But can they turn the tide of awful defensive form to pick up a vital three points on Sunday?
Kick off at 6pm on Sunday July 22nd 2018. Free Worldwide Coverage Right HERE (via kleague.com)
Full preview here;
Last Time Out in the K League
Suwon Bluewings 5-2 Incheon United
This was a up and down game for Incheon. Suwon took an early lead thanks to young talent You Joo-Ahn, before Yeom Ki-Hun doubled the lead in first half injury time. Incheon bounced back early in the second half with Kim Dong-Min scoring his first pro goal and then Stefan Mugoša converted from the spot. Sadly for the traveling fans things took a turn for the worst at this point. Yeom Ki-Hun scored his second of the game to regain the lead for Suwon. Yeom then provided assists for both of substitute Dejan Damjanović’s goals, completing the rout.
Highlights: here
FC Seoul 2-1 Jeonnam Dragons
FC Seoul were maybe a little fortunate to win on Wednesday evening against Jeonnam Dragons. It was the visitors who took the lead late in the first half via a Heo Yong-Joon goal (his third in four games). Seoul bounced back in the second half Cho Young-Wook scored the equalizer, before Anderson Lopes converted was turned out to be the winner from the penalty spot.
Highlights: here
Previous Meetings between Incheon United & FC Seoul
Incheon and FC Seoul played each other on the first day of April, with the game ending 1-1 that afternoon. Evandro Paulista scored for Seoul, but Super Sub Song Si-woo scored at equalizer in injury time.
Over the years Incheon and Gangwon have played out the Gyeongin Derby 45 times with the record edged by FC Seoul: Incheon have won nine compared to Seoul’s twenty-three. Incheon last won at home against just last season, winning 1-0 with Song Si-woo (now on military service) scoring a late winner. FC Seoul last won at the Sungui Arena also last season, hammering Incheon 5-1 with former hero Dejan Damjanović scoring a hat-trick.
Who To Watch in the Gyeongin Derby
Incheon United’s haven’t had many bright spots in recent weeks however midfield play maker Elias Aguilar has been one of a few reliable players. He is one of the joint top goal assistants in the K League 1 this season, and won a penalty against Suwon Bluewings during the week.
Montenegrin striker Stefan Mugoša has also been a bright spot during the 2018 season so far with nine goals so far. Which is a solid return whilst playing for the bottom of the league club. He converted a penalty against Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday.
Finally the only Neroazurre member of the South Korea U23 Asian Games squad Kim Jin-ya. Either a right back or right midfielder, the Incheon born youngster has been getting increasing amounts of first team action and was one of Incheon’s better players on Wednesday.
As for FC Seoul; Midfielder Ko Yo-Han is currently their top goalscorer with four so far this season, and he is a reliable member of their squad at the moment. New signing Bojan Matić could make his debut on Sunday, he’s a little bit of an unknown force having joined recently from Serbian club FK Mačva Šabac.
Prediction for Incheon United vs. FC Seoul (Sunday July 22nd)
Incheon United have had a pretty awful 2018 season so far, however a win over rivals FC Seoul in the Gyeongin Derby will boost morale no end. FC Seoul come into this game with eight points from their four games since their return from the World Cup break. Whilst Incheon have only two, and have shipped fourteen goals in just those four games.
I personally can’t see Incheon winning based on their recent performances, and FC Seoul should have the edge in my opinion. However it’s a derby and Incheon have little to lose at this point, so anything could happen on Sunday evening down at the Sungui Arena.
Incheon United 1-2 FC Seoul
Finally
Any thoughts, comments or questions. Feel free to comment below or message me via Twitter.
Modern Seoul 