There are three mid-week matches to look forward to with all six teams in Final B set to take to the field this Wednesday night. Pohang Steelers take on Gangwon FC, FC Seoul are away to Gwangju FC and Incheon United take on Seongnam FC.
Match of the Round
Pohang Steelers vs Gangwon FC (Wed. 3rd November 19:00 KST)
Two defeats on the spin have left AFC Champions League Finalists Pohang Steelers looking their shoulders heading into the final four matches of Final B. The Steelers suffered a 1-0 loss away to Seongnam FC on Saturday after a 1-0 reverse at home to Incheon United the week before. Kim Gi-dong's men have a chance to redeem themselves this Wednesday, though, with Gangwon FC set to make the trip down the East Coast to the Steelyard. The Steelers have proved themselves to be a team that likes to get crosses into the box, the six-yard box in particular and sit second in the division for crosses into that area. Pohang are top of the crossing charts with 353 coming from the right and 283 coming from the left. However, in terms of accuracy, the Steelers drop to fifth and so may need to improve in this regard with absolute safety not yet secured.
The visitors to the Steelyard, Gangwon FC, snatched a late draw away to Gwangju FC last time out. Shin Se-gye with a wonderful, curling effort from way outside the box made it 2-2 with little over a minute left. The draw means that Gangwon keep their heads above water with a one-point cushion over FC Seoul in 11th place. Gangwon have scored nine penalties in K League 1 this season, the joint-most along with Jeonbuk. Kim Dae-won has scored two spot-kicks in as many games having opened the scoring away to Gwangju on Sunday night. Each side has one win in this fixture this season with the most recent meeting coming at the end of September. Hwang Mun-ki bagged a 90th-minute winner for Gangwon.
Team of the Round
Incheon United (vs. Seongnam FC)
Incheon United have two wins from their last two matches and with two clean sheets to boot following a 1-0 away win over Pohang pre-Final B and a 2-0 victory of FC Seoul on Saturday. A record of six points from six available has given Jo Sung-hwan's men a huge boost in their bid to avoid relegation. Up next for Incheon is an away trip to Seongnam, a side that beat Pohang Steelers on Saturday afternoon. Incheon have proven to be one of the busiest teams defensively having been involved in the most defensive duels (2,227) and 62.61 per 90 minutes (1st). The Blue Black have also blocked the most shots in K League 1 this term at 122. Incheon have taken the lead in 16 matches this season and have gone on to win on 12 occasions, draw twice and lose just twice.
Player of the Round
Osmar (FC Seoul vs. Gwangju)
Only goalkeeper Yang Han-been has played more matches for FC Seoul than Osmar this season. The Spaniard has played 31 of Seoul's 34 matches, starting 31. Osmar sits second for passes made in K League 1 this season with 2073, fifth for passes made to the final third with 500, fourth for progressive passes with 381, and fifth for progressive passes made per 90 minutes. Defensively, no player in K League 1 has made as many interceptions as Osmar this season with 192. This Wednesday, Osmar and FC Seoul are away to Gwangju FC, the league's basement side. Seoul's record against Gwangju this term is two wins and one draw.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Final B Round 35 Fixtures
Wednesday 3rd November 2021
#POHvGAN: Pohang Steelers (8th) vs Gangwon FC (10th) - 19:00 #GWAvSEO: Gwangju FC (12th) vs FC Seoul (11th) - 19:00 #SFCvINC: Seongnam FC (9th) vs Incheon United (7th) - 19:30
Where to Watch
Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow selected games live on television. More information can be found here.
Alternatively, the matches are also available for FREE on tv.kleague.com
