With a place in a Promotion-Relegation Playoff up for grabs, Seoul E-Land take on Jeonnam Dragons this Sunday in a one-and-done knockout tie. Seoul E-Land have never played in the top flight of Korean football before and are aiming to make history. Jeonnam, meanwhile, are seeking a return to the upper echelons of K League after several seasons in the second division.
Overview & Match Information
Fixture: Seoul E-Land vs. Jeonnam Dragons
Competition: 2024 Hana Bank K League 2 Playoff
Venue: Mokdong Sports Complex, Seoul
Date: Sunday 24th November 2024, 16:30
Streaming:
K League TV
It's a rematch of sorts from the last game of the season, a match which saw Jeonnam Dragons shellshock Seoul E-Land with a 4-0 win. Awaiting the winners of this tie is 10th in K League 2, either Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors or Daegu FC. The Leopards and the Dragos won't know who until just before they take to the field this Sunday but the task at hand is simple: for Seoul E-Land, a draw will do due to K League's home advantage rule which rewards the higher-placed team from the regular season, while Jeonnam Dragons must win. For Jeonnam, it's the exact reverse of Thursday's semi-playoff where a draw with Busan was enough to see them advance.
Playoff History
Seoul E-Land are making their first foray into the K League 2 playoffs since 2015. That year, Seoul E-Land drew 3-3 away to Daegu FC in the first stage and were knocked out. For Jeonnam, it's their first playoff campaign since 2021 when the Dragons drew 0-0 away to Daejeon and were eliminated. Jeonnam are yet to score in the K League 2 playoffs but are also yet to concede.
Recent Form
Seoul E-Land head into Sunday's game on the back of a 4-0 loss at home to Jeonnam prior to the international break so will be itching to put the record straight. Before that, the Leopards had put together back-to-back wins over Seongnam FC and Gyeongnam FC with four goals scored and none conceded. Over the last six matches, Seoul E-Land have won three, drawn one, and lost two. At home, it's three defeats from their last four and eight wins from 19 home matches.
As for Jeonnam Dragons, prior to Thursday's 0-0 draw with Busan, which sets up Sunday's tie, Lee Jang-gwan's men had picked up two wins on the spin with seven goals scored and none conceded. On the final day of the season, Jeonnam put four past Seoul E-Land in Mokdong in something of a statement win and performance, with Fessou Placca bagging a brace and goals from Valdivia and Park Tae-yong. The victories brought an end to a run of three without one, but at Dragon Dungeon Jeonnam's form has varied with two wins, two losses, and one draw in their last five.
Head-to-Head
Jeonnam Dragons had the upper hand over Seoul E-Land in the regular season this year, earning two wins and one draw. The first meeting back in May at Mokdong ended 2-1 to the Dragons thanks to goals from Kim Jong-min and Jhon Montaño, before the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in Gwangyang in July. The game swung back and forth with Seoul E-Land taking the lead through Seo Jae-min on 18 minutes only for Im Chan-wool to level just after halftime. Byun Kyung-jun restored Seoul's lead shortly after but Bruno Oliveira netted an 88th-minute equaliser to ensure the spoils were shared.
Overall, there have been 21 previous meetings between the two teams. Seoul E-Land have just three wins, Jeonnam seven and 11 draws. With Seoul at home, the Leopards have one win to Jeonnam's four and seven draws.
What to Watch
The home advantage dynamic
On Thursday, Jeonnam Dragons had four shots on goal with only one finding the target compared to Busan's three on target from 12. Jeonnam also ceded possession, too, 44% to 56%. But this Sunday, with roles reversed, Jeonnam have no option other than to attack. Their away form is impressive, too, with 10 of their 16 wins coming away from home. The way Jeonnam had to dig in and defend could be a lesson to themselves as to what they might be up against in Mokdong. But Seoul E-Land, much like any Kim Do-kyun team, is set up to attack. Being the top scorers in K League 2 this season is a testament to that. Seoul will also have that 4-0 loss in the back of the mind and keen to exact revenge. How the two teams acquit themselves and approach the game will be something to keep an eye on.
Who to Watch
Osmar Ibáñez, Seoul E-Land
At the heart of Seoul E-Land's back line, whether that be in a back three or a back four, Osmar Ibáñez is central to how the Leopards play. Osmar ranks fifth for defensive duel success with 77%, and ninth for total interceptions with 152, and while he may have been signed for his defensive attributes and leadership, the experienced defender has seven goals this season. He is also fifth in K League 2 for through passing accuracy at 55%, fifth for the accuracy of passes to the final third at 81.21%, and sixth for total progressive passes. Osmar is also second in K League 2 for shots from open play. Keep an eye on how Osmar pulls the strings, either through his passing or by guiding the younger players through.
Cho Ji-hun, Jeonnam Dragons
While much of the attention will be on Jeonnam's attacking players such as Valdivia, Placca, and Park Tae-yong, pulling the strings in the centre of the park for Jeonnam is experienced midfielder Cho Ji-hun. An experienced head who has made 34 appearances for Jeonnam this season, scoring three and assisting one. Cho joined the Dragons last year from FC Seoul and has AFC Champions League experience on his resume with Thai outfit Chiangrai United and Suwon Bluewings. The 34-year-old ranks eighth in K League 2 for accurate passes to the final third with 80% and second for total progressive passes with 386 and among midfielders ranks second for ball progressions from passes. Cho has spent most of his career in the top flight and will be determined to make a return to K League 1 before he decides to hang up his boots.
