Match of the Round
Incheon United (1st) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd)
The top two collide on Wednesday when runaway league leaders Incheon United host Suwon Samsung Bluewings. The weekend's results, a 1-0 away win over Hwaseong FC for the former, and a comeback 2-2 home draw with Bucheon for the latter, mean that the gap at the top is back to 10 points. With seven games to play, a win for Incheon would put the Durumi on the brink of the K League 2 title and an instant return to the top flight, while a win for the Bluewings would at least give Byun Sung-hwan's side some hope of leapfrogging the Durumi and sealing automatic promotion, if not at least maintain the seven-point cushion over third. However, Incheon won both the previous meetings this season, and are unbeaten against the Bluewings in five.
The clash sees the league's top two scorers go toe-to-toe, with Suwon having scored 61 and Incheon 58. The Bluewings rank first for shots on target per match at 5.0, while Incheon rank third at 4.5. The two teams' route to goal differs, with Incheon racking up the most accurate passes per match at 406.3 (1st), while Suwon rank first for accurate crosses per match at 6.3. Interestingly, Incheon and Suwon sit joint first for penalties awarded with 13, but Suwon have had more touches in the box. At the other end, Incheon have recorded more clean sheets with 17, enough to sit top in that regard.
Team of the Round
Seoul E-Land (vs. Hwaseong FC)
Seoul E-Land did exactly what they needed to do at the weekend - earn all three points away to a playoff spot-occupying Seongnam FC. Sitting outside the top five, the Leopards simply have to take points above the teams above them and did so in dramatic fashion with two goals in the last five minutes plus stoppage time. One of the team's standout players from last year, Byeon Kyung-jun, made it 1-0 with just five minutes to go, before Heo Yong-joon made it 2-0 in the 96th minute to put the result beyond doubt. While the two teams dispatched a similar number of shots (10-11), Seoul E-Land landed eight on target compared to three, and will feel as though they got their just rewards, and perhaps that they can now go on a late-season run. Taking points off a playoff rival to move closer to the top five will also serve as a huge confidence boost for the Leopards. Up next, with Kim Do-kyun's men looking to build on the win, is the visit of Hwaseong FC.
Player of the Round
Valdivia, Jeonnam Dragons (vs. Gyeongnam FC)
One goal and two assists from Valdivia in a 4-1 win over Cheonan City kept Jeonnam on track. The win lifted the Dragons into third place and, thanks to four more goals scored, meant the South Jeolla side have a healthier-looking goals scored tally, the first tie-breaker in K League and something which could be the difference in earning home advantage in the playoffs. The Brazilian star's goal came in the 65th minute, a curling free-kick from just outside the area into the bottom corner to turn the game on its head and give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. The first of Valdivia's two assists came for Ronan to equalise just after the restart, before teeing up Jeong Kang-min in the 94th minute to cap off a comprehensive victory. Valdivia is now on 12 goals and nine assists in 22 starts this season. Up next for Jeonnam and Valdivia is the trip to Changwon to take on Gyeongnam FC.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 33
Gimpo FC travel to Chungbuk Cheongju looking to return to winning ways and get their playoff push back on track after two straight draws. Cheongju sit second bottom, but a win could move them up a spot in the table.
Busan IPark make the trip north to take on Cheonan City on the back of three straight stalemates and with just a two-point lead over the playoff-chasing back. Cheonan had been unbeaten in two before the loss to Jeonnam, so will be seeking a return to winning ways.
Last place Ansan Greeners host Chungnam Asan, looking for a first win in 18 matches, but the Owls are unbeaten over the Green Wolves in four, with two wins this season.
Two playoff-chasing sides, Bucheon FC 1995 and Seongnam FC, meet with both keen to secure all three points. Bucheon slipped to fourth following the draw with the Bluewings, while Seongnam dropped out of the top five following a home loss to Seoul E-Land.
K League 2 Round 33 Fixtures
Tuesday 7th October
Seoul E-Land (6th) vs. Hwaseong FC (10th) - 14:00
Chungbuk Cheongju (13th) vs. Gimpo FC (7th) - 16:30
Wednesday 8th October
Cheonan City (12th) vs. Busan IPark (5th) - 14:00
Gyeongnam FC (11th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (3rd) - 14:00
Incheon United (1st) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd) - 14:00
Ansan Greeners (14th) vs. Chungnam Asan (9th) - 16:30
Bucheon FC 1995 (4th) vs. Seongnam FC (8th) - 16:30
