Only one of the two teams can smile. Suwon FC and Gwangju FC face each other in urgent need of a rebound.
□ Match of the Round – ‘Suwon FC vs Gwangju’ in need of a turnaround
Round 15 pits eighth-ranked Suwon FC (16 goals) against ninth-ranked Gwangju (15 goals), both with 15 points. Both teams have not won recently and are in need of a turnaround.
The home team, Suwon FC, is in a slump with three straight losses. In those three games, Suwon have conceded 10 goals, showing their defensive insecurities, and they currently have the most goals conceded in K League 1 (27), so they need to overhaul their defense.
Still, it’s a positive that Lee Seung-woo scored his first goal of the season against Jeonbuk in the 14th round, and Suwon FC also has a reliable scorer in Ras, who has been consistent this season with nine offensive points (six goals and three assists). Add to that an improved defense and Suwon should be able to bounce back.
The visitors, Gwangju, burst onto the scene at the start of the season, but have since fallen into a winless streak (three draws and four losses) in their last seven matches. Gwangju have consistently troubled opposing defenses with their bold attacking football, but their lack of finishing has prevented them from producing results. Asani started the season with a bang, scoring a debut goal on the opening day and the first hat-trick in the K League this season, but hasn’t scored in nine consecutive games since. Asani needs to find his touch again to revitalize Gwangju’s scoring.토토사이트
Meanwhile, Gwangju averted a potentially disastrous three-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw at Incheon in the 14th round, while they also tasted their first win in a long time in the FA Cup in midweek, beating Seoul Eland 1-0 to reach the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, the two teams met in the fifth round, with Gwangju winning 2-0. Looking to bounce back, Suwon FC and Gwangju will meet for the second time this season at the Suwon Sports Complex at 6 p.m. on Nov. 28.
Team of the Round – Daegu looking for their first three-game winning streak of the season
Daegu (6th, 20 points) earned their first back-to-back wins of the season with a 1-0 victory over Daejeon in Round 14. Go Jae-hyun scored his second goal in as many games and fifth of the season, while the defense also shined as they shut down Daejeon’s attack. As a result, Go and defenders Hong Jung-woon and Hwang Jae-won were named to the Round 14 Best 11.
There were other gains for Daegu. In Round 14, ace Sejingya returned from injury to play full time for the first time in a long time. In the match, Sejingya played an active role in the offense, making forward passes and taking bold shots.
This season, Daegu has been playing a physical style of soccer where even if they concede possession, they still manage to secure a result with a tight defense and a fierce counterattack. Daegu has averaged just 35% of the ball this season, but they’ve posted solid results on both sides of the ball, ranking 6th in the league, 7th in goals scored, and 6th in fewest goals conceded.
Daegu’s Round 15 opponent is Incheon (10th, 14 points). The two teams played to a 0-0 draw in their previous meeting in Round 5. We’ll find out if Daegu can make it three wins in a row for the first time this season at DGB Daegu Bank Park on July 27 at 7pm.
Player of the Round – Ulsan midfielder Park Yong-woo
Park Yong-woo has started every game this season, anchoring the midfield for leader Ulsan (37 points). He is primarily a defensive midfielder, but has also contributed offensively with two assists this season.
Park was also a key part of the offense against Suwon in Round 14, where he led the team in passes (112), helping Ulsan to a 3-2 victory and a sixth straight win.
As expected from the defending champions and league leaders, Ulsan has a very talented roster, with international players in every position and three Ulsan players in the top 10 most prolific scorers. As such, the role of Park Yong-woo, who does the dirty work on the field, doesn’t get a lot of attention, but it’s his unselfish dedication that gives Ulsan its strength.
Ulsan’s Round 15 opponent is fifth-ranked Daejeon (21 points). Daejeon is the only team Ulsan has lost to this season, so the team will be looking for redemption in this match. If Ulsan wins this match, it will be their first seven-game winning streak of the season. The second meeting of the season between Ulsan and Daejeon will take place at 7 p.m. on Nov. 28 at Munsusu Soccer Stadium in Ulsan.