By Pearse McLaughlin
A Lucas Rodrigues wonder goal was the difference as FC Seoul edge out Jeju United 1-0 which also saw a return to action for Jesse Lingard after a month out injured. Friday night action in the K-League 1 delivered again in what was a tremendous match between two evenly matched sides but for a piece of Brazilian magic to separate the two sides.
Kim Gi-Dong has stuck with his tried and trusted formation which has seen his FC Seoul side win 3 on the bounce. In terms of personnel changes there is two changes to the side that beat Pohang Steelers 2-1 last time out as in comes the returning Jesse Lingard returns to lead the line in place of Stanislav Iljutcenko after a month out through injury and Lucas Rodrigues replaces Willyan.
Kim Hak-Beom has gone with the exact same side that lost narrowly at home time out to Incheon United 1-0. Jeju United are in a decent vein of form themselves as they have won 3 out of the last five games.
First opportunity of the game falls to the visitors on the 7th minute as Kaina Yoshio gets the break of the ball on the edge of the box before cutting in superbly but his finished left a lot to be desired as he tamely dragged wide of the left hand post. The chance was all of his own hard work as he robbed Jun Choi who dallied on the ball far too long and was nearly punished.
Two minutes later, FC Seoul have their first effort on goal through Jesse Lingard. Lingard found a pocket of space on the edge of the box before chopping back onto his weaker left foot and a fizzing an effort towards goal but unfortunately it was straight at Kim Dong-Jun. It was great initial skill from Lingard as he sent two Jeju United players to the shops as he chopped back onto his swinger.
On the 13th minute, the deadlock was nearly broken but the crossbar nearly was as Rim Chang-Woo smashed an curling effort from outside the box. A tremendous effort from the veteran defender as he nearly scored a goal any striker would have been proud of but for a few inches we would have the first goal of the game.
FC Seoul have the lead on the 23rd minute through their Brazilian winger, Lucas Rodrigues. What a goal it was as he curls a superb effort into the far right hand corner as the ball nestles in the side netting. A bit of Brazilian magic was needed to break the deadlock as FC Seoul had been second best in the opening stages as Jeju United could have scored in a couple of occasions. FC Seoul lead 1-0.
FC Seoul take a slender 1-0 lead in at the break in what has been a closely fought affair. Jeju United had the better start to the game but a wonder goal from Lucas Rodrigues the sparked the homeside to life and they took control after that.
Two changes at the break for FC Seoul as Jesse Lingard and man of the moment, Lucas Rodrigues make way for Willyan and Stanislav Iljutcenko. A surprise to see both withdrawn at half time as they were both playing well but understandable giving the context. This is Rodrigues’ first start for his new club and Lingard is just back from an injury that sidelined him for a month.
Jeju United make a double change too as in comes Yuri Jonathan and Nam Tae-Hee to replace Reis and Park Ju-Yeong. A surprise to see Yuri start on the bench but the changes have been made by Kim Hak-Beom as he looks to get his side back in this game by adding much needed firepower from the bench.
10 minutes into the second period and FC Seoul nearly double their lead through Yeun Jong-Gyu after a quick counterattack which left FC Seoul with a 5v4 situation. Stanislav Iljutcenko teed up the full back but his powerful drive at the near post was saved expertly by Kim Dong-Jun.
On the 83rd minute, Jeju United had three opportunities in quick succession to put the ball in the back of the net but somehow it didn’t go in. It was great initial play down the right flank as Nam Tae-Hee dug out a cross which picked out Seo Jin-Su who brought the ball down with his back to goal spun and fired a low shot through bodies that was expertly saved by Kang Hyeon-Mu who got a strong right hand to parry it away. Superb save by Kang but his superb one handed save rebounded straight to Yuri who at the first time of asking smashed the ball of the left hand post before a second attempt right away which he miskicked wide of the left hand post. Massive opportunity squandered and that there could be the game. Can’t believe Yuri hasn’t scored there with his finishing ability but that’s probably the reason he ultimately started on the bench. It somehow reminds 1-0.
It’s all over here at the Seoul World Cup Stadium here in the capital of South Korea as FC Seoul triumph by a goal to nil over Jeju United as they now move a point ahead of Suwon FC and into fifth place but they do have a game in hand.
It was an evenly fought contest and on the balance of play and chances Jeju United deserved at least a point from the game maybe more but through look and good game management they clung onto all three points after grabbing a lead early on in the first half.
Up next for FC Seoul is another home game next Saturday the 24th of August against league leaders, Gangwon FC which is set for a 7:30pm kick off time.
Jeju United return to action on Wednesday in the first leg of the Korean Cup as they take on the holders, Pohang Steelers at home in the semi final stage. Jeju United return to league duty next Sunday the 25th of August as they travel away to face Suwon FC and the match is set for a 7pm kick off time.
FC Seoul: Kang Hyeon-Mu, Yeun Jong-Gyu, Yazan Abu Al-Arab, Kim Ju-Sung, Kang Sang-Woo, Lucas Rodrigues (Willyan 46’), Jun Choi, Lee Seung-Mo (Paik Sang-Hoon 81’), Cho Young-Wook (Lim Sang-Hyub 87’), Kang Seong-Jin (Kang Ju-Hyeok 55’), Jesse Lingard (Stanislav Iljutcenko 46’). Subs not used: Baek Jong-Beom, Kwon Wan-Kyu, Kim Jin-Ya, Ronaldo Tavares.
Jeju United: Kim Dong-Jun, Kim Tae-Hwan, Rim Chang-Woo, Song Ju-Hun, Chung Woon (Galego 90’), Park Ju-Yeong (Yuri Jonathan 46’), Italo, Kaina Yoshio (Kim Jung-Min 67’), An Tae-Hyun, Reis (Nam Tae-Hee 46’), Seo Jin-Su (Han Jong-Mu 88’). Subs not used: An Chan-Gi, Hong Jae-Seok, Hong Jun-Ho, Kim Ju-Gong.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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