Another big round of matches awaits this weekend, with Daejeon Hana Citizen at home to Bucheon FC 1995 as the headlining fixture as third takes on second on Saturday afternoon. Ansan Greeners head to Gwangyang in search of their first win of the season against Jeonnam Dragons later that evening. The Sunday fixtures see Gimpo FC home to Busan IPark and Gyeongnam FC hosting league leaders Gwangju FC. FC Anyang versus Seoul E-Land rounds out the schedule.

Daejeon Hana Citizen were down by three goals against Busan IPark after 57 minutes when Valentinos Sielis scored what looked to be the goal that would completely put the match beyond reach for the Purples, but then the impossible happened. Gong Min-hyun clawed a goal back just minutes after the hour mark to cut into the deficit. Cho Yu-min then scored a second with just under a quarter of an hour remaining. Leandro pulled his side even with ten minutes left in regulation and it then seemed that they would be able to take their comeback one step further and claim all three points, which they did when Lee Jin-hyun netted the fourth on 89 minutes. With the improbable win, Daejeon created a bit of breathing space in the table, moving three points clear of FC Anyang, and are now just four points behind Bucheon FC 1995.

Bucheon FC 1995 missed a clear opportunity to close the gap on first placed Gwangju FC when they lost by a single goal to Gyeongnam FC on Wednesday night. The result should not come as a total shock, however, as Bucheon have not fared well in the head-to-head series with their Round 16 opponents. They do have an opportunity to bounce back and widen the distance with the Purples if they can manage to get a win. They won the only previous meeting between the sides this season in early April, and that should give them the confidence of going out and playing for a result. This time round could prove a bit more difficult as they will have to attempt it away from home.

Jeonnam Dragons picked up a valuable three points with a win in midweek against FC Anyang, their fourth win of the season in league play.  Goals in either half were enough to secure the result against an Anyang side that has fallen off considerably in recent weeks.  Kim Tae-hyun put them into the lead on 39 minutes, and Lee Jung-min doubled the advantage with just three minutes left in regulation. It was necessary for the club to get back to winning ways after going winless in their first two matches since their group stage exit in the Champions League, where they played very solid football.

The plight of Ansan Greeners continues as their winless run was extended to fifteen matches following a narrow 1-0 loss to Chungnam Asan last time out. They did not play poorly as they had more shots on target and a good majority of possession, but, as has been the case this season, they lacked in the finishing department and could not rebound after Park Se-jik's early goal in the tenth minute. They're up against a side that played continental football, so the chances of them finally getting their first win of the season could very well be in question. 

After a promising start to the season, Gimpo FC have fallen off the pace, succumbing to Seoul E-Land in midweek by a count of 3-1. Going down to ten men in first-half injury time when Kim Tae-han was sent off with a straight red card, meaning his services will not be available for the next two league matches, did not help matters as two of the Leopards' goals came in the second half. Kwon Min-jae did scrape a consolation goal deep in second-half injury time, but by then it was simply a matter of far too little, far too late. Their defensive record of late is troubling at best, as they have conceded eight goals in their past three matches. 

In what could be regarded as the collapse of the season thus far, Busan IPark let a three-goal lead completely slip away as Daejeon Hana Citizen left it late to steal victory from the jaws of defeat. Park Jeong-in had them in front after just five minutes. Kim Jung-min put them two in front ten minutes before the interval. Valentinos Sielis made it three, minutes before the hour mark and all seemed poised for the Royals to collect their third win of the season. It was not to be, however, as a complete defensive collapse negated one of their best offensive showings of the year.

Gyeongnam FC secured an important victory over Bucheon FC 1995 in their last match, taking full honors thanks to Tiago Orobó's 54th-minute strike. The win kept them in the early mix for a playoff spot as they continue to sit just three points behind Chungnam Asan, who currently occupy fifth spot in the table. Things could get a bit more difficult as they take on the league leaders, but will have home-field advantage, so it could very well work in their favor. Their current form is good as they are unbeaten in their past four league matches. 

Gwangju FC enter the weekend as the only team that did not play in midweek and should be well-rested as they travel to face Gyeongnam FC looking to solidify their hold on first place. Based on their performances this year, they can certainly be considered favorites for automatic promotion as they have lost just twice in the division this season. Gwangju won the only previous meeting between the sides this year back in April when the Reds were reduced to ten men in the second half, and Yool Heo scored the winning goal in the 89th minute.

With just one win in their past seven matches, FC Anyang, who were considered a lock for the playoffs this year, have started to fall behind the lead pack and are in desperate need of a reversal of fortune following their 2-0 loss to Jeonnam Dragons in midweek. After a hot start that saw him net three goals and add one assist in his first four matches this season, Costa Rican frontman Jonathan Moya has cooled off considerably recently, with just one goal in his last six appearances for the Violets. While still currently in firm position for the playoffs, the downward turn in momentum has affected the club greatly and the results are evident on the pitch. A win at home against the Leopards could provide the potential remedy to get them back on the winning track.

Seoul E-Land recorded a confident 3-1 victory over Gimpo FC last time out, getting goals from Felipe Cadenazzi and Kim In-sung, who both converted from the penalty spot, and Kim Sun-min, who rounded out the scoring in the third minute of injury time. The win puts the club from the capital in position to challenge for the playoffs, at least for the moment. With matches upcoming against Daejeon Hana Citizen and Bucheon FC 1995, three points on Sunday would go a long way in injecting confidence into the side as they have just a pair of wins in their last eleven matches.

K League United Senior Columnist