Now into the final round robin of the 2024 Hana Bank K League 2 season, there could be some movement in the league standings come the end of Round 28 this weekend with fourth hosting third, sixth taking on seventh, and 10th taking on 12th. The playoff race is wide open with four points separating fourth from eighth.
Match of the Round
Seoul E-Land vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Sun. 25th August - 19:00
Fourth versus third, a battle between two of the league's favourites for promotion, sees Seoul E-Land take on Suwon Samsung Bluewings this Sunday. Just two points separate the two sides, meaning a win for Seoul E-Land would see them leapfrogging the Bluewings into third. But with the Bluewings only two points behind Jeonnam Dragons in second, Byun Sung-hwan and his team will have their sights set on clawing their back into the title race.
The Bluewings who have won their last two and are unbeaten in nine - new manager Byun Sung-hwan is yet to taste defeat. Seoul E-Land, meanwhile, lost last time out and have struggled for consistency at Mokdong, winning three but losing two out of their last five on their own patch. But Seoul E-Land came out on top in both the two meetings this season, earning a 2-1 win at Mokdong in March and a 3-1 win at Big Bird in May.
Seoul E-Land have taken a more trigger-happy approach to the 2024 season with the division's best goal return of 49. The Bluewings, meanwhile, despite Fejsal Mulic being in the running for the golden boot, have managed a more modest 34 goals. However, 23 goals conceded is the joint fewest in the division.
The first goal will be key in this encounter as both Seoul E-Land and Suwon Bluewings tend to win once they've gone ahead. The Leopards, from 17 times leading, have won 11, drawn five, and lost just once. Suwon, from 12 times leading, have 10 wins, one draw, and just one loss.
Team of the Round
Bucheon FC 1995 (vs. Chungnam Asan, Sat. 24th August - 19:30)
The race for the playoffs is one of the closest contested yet with fourth down to ninth separated by just four points. Bucheon FC 1995's win over Seoul E-Land last time out moved them level on points with Busan and just two away from Chungnam Asan in fifth. A 2-0 home win over the Leopard was sealed thanks to telling contributions from Rodrigo Bassani who scored one and assisted one in 15 first-half minutes, taking the Brazilian to seven of each in 21 starts. Bucheon are in action this Saturday against Chungnam Asan, a team that sat the last round out. Bucheon have a good away record with just one loss in their last 11 on the road. Bucheon sit third in K League 2 when it comes to defensive duel success (65.5%), and first for interceptions. At the other end of the pitch, Bucheon are somewhat efficient, with a relatively low goals-scored tally of 29 - the fourth lowest in the division - but are performing more or less in line with their xG value of 30.50. Bucheon won their last meeting with Chungnam Asan 3-0.
Player of the Round
Lim Min-hyeok, Busan IPark (vs. Gimpo FC, Sun. 25th August - 19:30)
Lim Min-hyeok's third goal of the season earned Busan IPark a crucial win to move within two points of the playoff spots. It came in a 1-0 away win over Chungnam Asan, ending a run of two straight losses. A mini-revival under new manager Jo Sung-hwan had given Busan fans hope of extending their season, but losses against Chungbuk Cheongju and Seoul E-Land has left the Royals with work to do. Coach Jo will be looking to Lim and his other creative players to steer Busan to victory once again. All three of his goals this season have come away from home. His last home goal for Busan came almost exactly a year ago in Round 29 of the 2023 season, helping Busan seal a 2-0 win over eventual champions Gimcheon Sangmu. Lim has also registered three assists this term, helped by being first in K League 2 when it comes to passes into the final third (284), and second per 90 (11.11), and second for progressive passes (264). Up next for Lim and Busan is the visit of Gimpo FC, a side that earned a first win in nine last time out and have playoff aspirations of their own.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 28
Two teams representing rival southern provinces, Jeonnam and Gyeongnam, meet this Sunday with two very different aims for the remainder of the campaign. Jeonnam Dragons are in the title race but a run of three without a win, and back-to-back defeats, has opened the door for second place to be taken from them. Returning to winning ways will be key for Lee Jang-kwan's men. For Park Dong-hyuk and Gyeongnam FC, it's all about finishing has high up the table as possible, and moving away from the battle to avoid last place. The Roses only have a two-point cushion over 13th and a one-point cushion over 12th so will be looking to return to winning ways following a run of five without one.
Bottom hosts top on Sunday when Seongnam FC make the short trip to Bisan-dong to take on many people's favourites to win the K League 2 title, FC Anyang. The Violets still have a four-point cushion over second, and a game in hand, and so will want to make sure their healthy lead stays that way. The Magpies, meanwhile, may be propping up the K League 2 table, but are within one win of moving up to 11th.
Closing out the Round 28 action for some Monday night football, Cheonan City entertain Ansan Greeners. Cheonan have a five-point lead over the bottom three and are on a run of four unbeaten while Ansan Greeners will be determined not to slip back to 12th after back-to-back wins in rounds 24 and 26.
K League 2 Table
K League 2 Round 28 Fixtures
Saturday 24th August
#JDFCvGYE: Jeonnam Dragons (2nd) vs. Gyeongnam FC (11th) - 19:00
#CAFCvBUC: Chungnam Asan (5th) vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (8th) - 19:30
#BUSvGFC: Busan IPark (6th) vs. Gimpo FC (7th) - 19:30
Sunday 25th August
#SFCvANY: Seongnam FC (13th) vs. FC Anyang (1st) - 19:00
#SEFCvSSB: Seoul E-Land (4th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (3rd) - 19:00
Monday 26th August
#CCFCvANS: Cheonan City (10th) vs. Ansan Greeners (12th) - 19:30
