The 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 campaign reaches Round 29 this weekend, and with just 11 matches to go, the race for promotion is gathering pace. At least seven teams are currently in the hunt for the four playoff places, and with vital points up for grabs this weekend, the top five could see some movement.
Match of the Round
Seoul E-Land (6th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd)
Seoul E-Land have gotten their playoff push back on track with back-to-back wins, first over Cheonan City by five goals to two, then away to playoff rivals Jeonnam Dragons 2-1. This ended a run of four straight draws and keeps the Leopards on the coattails of Busan IPark in fifth. Suwon Samsung Bluewings, meanwhile, were unable to make the most of Incheon's loss to Bucheon by suffering a 1-0 reverse themselves away to Busan IPark. It means that the Bluewings are 10 points behind the league leaders and just four points above Bucheon in third. Byun Sung-hwan's side, now four matches without a win, are in need of a return to winning ways as soon as possible. But it's the Leopards who have the distinct upper hand in this fixture with five wins from five, 13 goals scored and just four conceded.
The two teams are among the top scorers in K League 2 this season so there should be some goals in this weekend's contest. Suwon have 54 goals to rank first while Seoul E-Land rank joint fourth with 43. Suwon are the more trigger-happy team, sitting first for total shots with 406, while Seoul E-Land are eighth with 306. The Bluewings lead the league for shots on target per match at 5.1, Seoul E-Land rank sixth with 4.3, but have the better shot conversion rate at 13.8% compared to 12.8%.
Team of the Round
Seongnam FC (vs. Chungbuk Cheongju)
Following a 4-0 win over Ansan Greeners last time out, Seongnam FC are now on a run of 10 matches unbeaten with five wins and five draws. Such an incredible turnaround in form has moved the Magpies to seventh and just two points behind fifth place, the last playoff spot. Seongnam have proved to be something of a possession team this season, with 53.6% the third highest in K League 2. Colombian striker Leonardo Ruiz's 13th goal of the season means he is the second-top scorer, while Shin Jae-won's seventh assist of the campaign ranks him third. Up next for Seongnam is Chungbuk Cheongju away.
Player of the Round
Park Chan-jun, Bucheon FC 1995 (vs. Chungnam Asan)
Bucheon FC 1995 earned an impressive win over league leaders Incheon United last time out, thanks to Park Chang-jun's 61st-minute strike. It was his seventh of the season to add to four assists, making 11 goal contributions in 26 appearances. Park has now beaten his tally from his last full season in K League 2 in 2022, prior to beginning military service. Park and Bucheon take on Chungnam Asan this weekend. Park scored in a 5-3 Bucheon win when the teams last met. A repeat of that result would keep Bucheon in third and in the race for second.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 29
Gyeongnam FC take on Gimpo FC having returned to winning ways last time out, but in what was Lee Eul-yong's last game as manager. Gimpo suffered a shock reverse last time out and need a win to keep their playoff push on track.
Cheonan City will be looking to build on their win over Gimpo but take on league leaders Incheon United, a side that lost last time out and will be keen to put the defeat behind them.
Following back-to-back losses, Jeonnam Dragons take on a Hwaseong FC side that's on a run of five unbeaten, while Ansan Greeers host Busan IPark knowing that anything less than a win could cut them adrift at the foot of the table. Busan are on a run of four unbeaten but have just a point cushion over sixth.
K League 2 Round 29 Fixtures
Saturday 13th September
Chungnam Asan (9th) vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (3rd) - 16:30
Seoul E-Land (6th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd) - 19:00
Gyeongnam FC (11th) vs. Gimpo FC (8th) - 19:00
Cheonan City (13th) vs. Incheon United (1st) - 19:00
Sunday 14th September
Chungbuk Cheongju (12th) vs. Seongnam FC (7th) - 19:00
Jeonnam Dragons (4th) vs. Hwaseong FC (10th) - 19:00
Ansan Greeners (14th) vs. Busan IPark (5th) - 19:00
