By Pearse McLaughlin
It finishes all square here at the Jeju World Cup Stadium between Jeju United and Gwangju FC. There was nothing to separate the two sides in the table, this match and a draw is a fair result on the balance of play.
Jeju United boss, Nam Ki-Il has made wholesale changes to the side that lost last time out 2-1 to Daegu FC. The tactical shape has stayed the same as Nam Ki-Il likes the 3-4-3 formation. In terms of personnel changes there is seven changes as in come Lim Chae-Min, Lee Ju-Yong, An Tae-Hyun, Lee Gi-Hyuk, Kim Seung-Sub, Jeon Seong-Jin, and Seo Jun-Su to replace Kim Oh-Kyu, Chung Woon, Kim Ju-Gong, Han Jong-Mu, Lee Ju-Yong, Kim Dae-Hwan, and Yuri.
Gwangju FC boss, Lee Jung-Hyo hasn’t altered his preferred formation of 4-4-2. But Lee Jung-Hyo has made a handful of changes to the side that drew 1-1 to relegation threatened Gangwon FC last time out. In terms of personnel changes there is 5 changes as in come Kim Kyeong-Min, Ahn Young-Kyu, Jasir Asani, Lee Soon-Min, and Yool Heo to replace Jun Lee, Aaron Calver, Ju Young-Jae, Lee Kang-Hyeon, and Lee Heui-Kyun.
First meaningful chance of the game comes the way of the visitors, Gwangju FC on the 35th minute. It all starts with Doo Hyeon-Seok playing a ball down the channel for Yool Heo to give chase, he holds the ball up brilliantly and waits for the overlapping run of Jasir Asani whose effort on his weaker side brings out a comfortable save from Kim Dong-Jun. Great move by Gwangju FC. It remains 0-0.
With very little to choose between the two sides in the first half it remains goalless at the break. Both sides have lacked a cutting edge and will be hoping for more going forward.
Really should have been the breakthrough on the 51st minute courtesy of Kim Bong-Soo but he passed up a glorious opportunity as he ballooned his effort over from a mere six yards. Gwangju FC are nearly the architects of their own downfall as Lee Soon-Min gets caught on the ball, Seo Jun-Su carried the ball magnificently before chopping inside Aaron Calver with ease leaving himself 1-on-1 but his left a lot to be desired. The play continued as Kim Kyeong-Min parried Seo Jun-Su’s effort into the path of substitute Kim Ju-Gong who teed up Kim Bong-Soo on the penalty spot, but he blazed over. Absolute sitter. It somehow remains goalless.
A half chance fell the way of Gwangju FC’s latest recruit, Beka Mikeltadze on the 77th minute. Aaron Calver fired the ball into the Georgian’s feet, but Lim Chae-Min got too tight and Beka spun him with ease, but his shot was straight down the throat of Kim Dong-Jun. Comfortable save in the end but Beka Mikeltadze already showing glimpses of what he’s capable of.
With just 4 minutes remaining of the 90, former Gwangju FC star, Reis nearly broke his former employer’s hearts and snatch all 3 points in the process. Reis collected the ball just left of centre about 25/30 yards out with his back to goal and fizzed in a low rasping effort which had Kim Kyeong-Min scrambling to his bottom left-hand post.
With virtually the last kick of the game on the 96th minute we saw Kim Han-Gil’s curling effort go a whisker wide of the top right-hand corner. We saw Kim Han-Gil collect the ball on the right wing before chopping inside, curling a left footed effort at goal but it just flashed wide. Great effort by the substitute as he tried to fire the ball in at the near post by reversing it. It was milimetres from nestling into the top right-hand corner.
It finishes honours evens as Jeju United and Gwangju FC play out a thrilling 0-0 draw. The second half was end-to end action at times but ultimately not enough quality on show in the final third to kill games off. Both teams are having good seasons and are both neck and neck in the league too and it shows. In the end I think both teams will settle for the point.
Next up for Jeju United is a tough away fixture against Pohang Steelers on Sunday the 16th of July. Pohang Steelers currently lie in 2nd place so you couldn’t have asked for a tougher task to try and get back to winning ways.
Next up for Gwangju FC is a winnable fixture but not a given as Gwangju FC came into this fixture on ropey form with just 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches. Both sides are only separated by 2 points and Gwangju FC will hope home advantage counts as they look to get back to winning ways and put a run together to climb up the table.
Jeju United: Kim Dong-Jun, Yeon Je-Woon, Lim Chae-Min, Lee Ju-Yong, An Tae-Hyun, Lee Gi-Hyuk, Kim Bong-Soo, Kim Seung-Sub (Woon Chung 65’), Jeon Seong-Jin (Kim Ju-Gong 10’), Seo Jun-Su (Im Dong-Hyeok 82’), Reis. Subs not used: Kim Keun-Bae, Kim Oh-Kyu, Han Jong-Mu, Yuri.
Gwangju FC: Kim Kyeong-Min, Doo Hyeon-Seok, Timo Letschert (Aaron Calver 42’), Ahn Young-Kyu, Lee Min-Gi, Jasir Asani (Lee Kang-Hyeon 87’), Jeong Ho-Yeon, Lee Soon-Min, Jeong Ji-Hoon (Kim Han-Gil 46’), Yool Heo (Lee Heui-Kyun 46’), Thomas (Beka Mikeltadze 68’). Subs not used: Jun Lee, Lee Sang-Gi.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
Comments