2024 Hana Bank K League 2 Round 5 Preview.
Match of the Round
FC Anyang vs. Ansan Greeners - Sat. 6th April, 14:00
The first Line 4 Derby of the new season sees a joint-top FC Anyang side host an Ansan Greeners side that's seeking a second win of the campaign. The fact that the Violets have played just three games thus far makes their lofty league position all the more impressive. The Green Wolves have experienced a mixed start to 2024, suffering defeats to Gyeongnam FC and Suwon Bluewings but with an away win over Seongnam FC sandwiched in between.
The expected goals values of the two teams make for interesting reading. Anyang have an xG of 2.57 but have managed to score five goals so far. Likewise, Ansan, with four goals, have far outscored their xG of 1.72. Anyang have the lowest expected goals against value (xGA) in the division at 2.43 and just two goals conceded, while Ansan have the fourth-lowest with 3.55 and four goals shipped.
Both teams rank fairly low down when it comes to shots per 90 with Anyang 11th at 7.71 and Ansan 12th at 7.43. Saturday's clash, then, could be more tightly contested than the league table would suggest with emphasis on the quality of chances created rather than the sheer number. Evidence of this could be seen with Matheus Oliveira being the league's most accurate shooter with 75% of the Brazilian's shots finding the target, while Ansan's Kim Beom-su ranks ninth for touches in the box per 90 at 4.21. Saturday's meeting is the 27th Line 4 Derby. The previous 26 have seen Anyang win 12, Ansan seven, and seven draws. Over the last 10, Anyang have four wins, Ansan two, and four draws.
Team of the Round
Seongnam FC (vs. Chungnam Asan, Sat. 6th April - 16:30)
After beginning the season with back-to-back defeats, suddenly things are looking up for Seongnam FC. The Magpies head into their trip to Chungnam Asan on the back of two straight wins in all competitions. A 3-0 Korea Cup Round 2 win over Pocheon FC was followed up with a 2-1 victory over Gimpo FC last time out. Colombian striker Leonardo Ruiz opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 30th minute, following up his brace against Pocheon, before Park Ji-won found a 90th-minute winner after Kim Hyung-jun had levelled for Gimpo. Ruiz is Seongnam's most accurate shooter, sitting 8th in the league for percentage shots on target (50%). The win moved Seongnam up to 10th and within a win of the top four.
Player of the Round
Ricardo Lopes, Busan IPark (vs. Jeonnam Dragons, Sun. 7th April - 14:00)
An assist for Ricardo Lopes helped Busan IPark pick up a priceless win away to Suwon Bluewings last time out. It was his second of the campaign and, after calmly laying the ball into the path of Fessin in the box, helped Park Jin-sub's side move up to seventh, just a point away from the league's summit. It's been a productive start to life on the south coast for the former Jeonbuk man. He sits first in K League 2 for deep completions with 11, first for key passes with eight (2nd per 90, 1.86), joint-fifth for through passes accuracy (50%), joint-third for total shots with 13 (6th per 90, 3.02), and second for shots from outside the box with 10. Up next for Lopes and Busan is the visit of Jeonnam Dragons this Sunday.
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 5 Fixtures
Saturday 6th April
#Line4Derby: FC Anyang (2nd) vs. Ansan Greeners (11th) - 14:00
#SEFCvGFC: Seoul E-Land (5th) vs. Gimpo FC (13th) -16:30
#CAFCvSFC: Chungnam Asan (1st) vs. Seongnam FC (10th) - 16:30
Sunday 7th April
#CCFCvGYE: Cheonan City (9th) vs. Gyeongnam FC (12th) - 14:00
#BUSvJDFC: Busan IPark (7th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (6th) - 14:00
#CHFCvSSB: Chungbuk Cheongju (4th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (8th) - 16:30
