Seongnam, sitting in sixth place, visit Gwangyang this weekend looking to keep their momentum going. The Magpies made it three unbeaten with back-to-back wins last time out, easing past Hwaseong FC 1-0 at home. Jung Seung-yong's 51st-minute strike was Seongnam's only shot on target, but at this stage of the season, results matter more than performances. Seongnam know that anything less than another win this weekend could spell the end to their push for a first playoff campaign since relegation in 2022. Given the current standings, this weekend's clash can be seen as a playoff six-pointer. The most recent encounter in July ended in a 2-2 draw, but the first in May ended in a 2-1 Jeonnam win.
Team of the Round
Busan IPark (vs. Incheon United)
Busan IPark returned to winning ways at the weekend, putting four past fellow promotion hopefuls Gimpo FC. Goals from Yun Min-ho, Cho Wi-je, Jeon Seong-jin, and Paul Villero meant a 4-1 win and ended a run of four without victory to at least give the Royals hope of overturning the four-point gap with the top five. In short, Busan's destiny is out of their own hands, but a win over recently-crowned champions Incheon United this weekend would serve as a statement of intent. Manager Jo Sung-hwan will be determined to guide Busan to a win over his former team. He'll be looking for more of the same in terms of his team's play in the opposition half. Busan rank first in K League 2 for possession won in the final third per match and second for touches in the box, while 4.6 shots on target per match ranks them fourth in that regard.
Player of the Round
Byeon Kyung-jun, Seoul E-Land (vs. Gyeongnam FC)
Byeon Kyung-jun has six goals and two assists this season, but five of those goal contributions have come in his last five matches. In the emphatic 4-1 win over Chungnam Asan last time out, the 23-year-old forward scored two and assisted one. His first goal of the afternoon put Seoul E-Land back in front on the hour, having seen the Owls level proceedings early into the second half. His second came eight minutes from time to make it 3-1, then the assist came on 88 minutes for Park Chang-hwan to put the match beyond doubt. His upturn in form has helped the Leopards rediscover their bite, with a second playoff campaign in as many seasons now in their hands. Up next is Gyeongnam FC away, and a win would at the very least preserve the three-point lead over sixth with two games to go. Seoul E-Land are unbeaten in this fixture this season, with a win and a draw.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 37
Suwon Samsung Bluewings take on Chungbuk Cheongju, knowing that a win would seal second place. Bucheon host Gyeonggi Province neighbours Ansan Greener,s looking to make it six unbeaten to stay in third, while Gimpo FC, with their outside chances of a playoff place, will look to return to winning ways against Hwaseong, while Chungnam Asan versus Cheonan City is a local derby with late-season bragging rights up for grabs.
K League 2 Round 37 Fixtures
Saturday 1st November
Gyeongnam FC (11th) vs. Seoul E-Land (5th) - 14:00
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd) vs. Chungbuk Cheongju (13th) - 14:00
Bucheon FC 1995 (3rd) vs. Ansan Greeners (14th) - 16:30
Gimpo FC (8th) vs. Hwaseong FC (10th) - 16:30
Sunday 2nd November
Incheon United (1st) vs. Busan IPark (7th) - 14:00
Jeonnam Dragons (4th) vs. Seongnam FC (6th) - 14:00
Chungnam Asan (9th) vs. Cheonan City (12th) - 16:30
