By Pearse McLaughlin
Jeju United complete a second half turnaround to claim a vital 3 points as they win 2-1 here at Jeju World Cup Stadium. Kim Bong-Soo’s second half volley proved to be the difference between the two sides, but Pohang Steelers will be kicking themselves how they didn’t take anything from the game.
Jeju United boss, Nam Ki-Il has kept the same formation that won comfortably 3-0 last time out against Daejeon Hana Citizen. In terms of personnel changes Nam Ki-Il has made one alteration to his side as Kim Bong-Soo comes into replace Koo Ja-Cheol.
Pohang Steelers boss, Kim Ki-Dong has kept the formation that lost 2-0 last time out when they hosted Incheon United. In terms of personnel changes Kim Ki-Dong has made two changes to the side as in comes Kim Seung-Dae and Lee Ho-Jae to replace the suspended Kim In-Sung and Zeca drops to the bench having failed to impress last timeout.
First major opportunity of the game and Pohang Steelers take the lead on the 24th minute, courtesy of Baek Sung-Dong. Jeju United will be kicking themselves how they managed to concede as they were architects of their own downfall as Kim Dong-Jun needlessly gave the ball away and Pohang Steelers duly punished him. It was a great initial interception by Kim Seung-Dae who reads Kim Dong Jun’s pass, heading it down to Baek Sung-Dong who takes a touch to set himself before unleashing an unstoppable half-volley that arrowed straight into the bottom left-hand corner. Emphatic finish. 1-0 to the visitors.
Right on the stroke of half time and an audacious side footed effort on the full volley from Go Young-Jun as he tried to guide his effort into the top right-hand corner and was just millimetres wide of the top right-hand corner. It was a terrific pick out by Kim Seung-Dae to find Go Young-Jun unmarked on the penalty spot and he tried to use the pace of the cross to guide the ball into the back of the net. Pohang Steeler’s were a whisker away from doubling their lead.
It was a dominant first half by Pohang Steelers as they lead 1-0 at the break. Pohang Steelers dominated possession and most of the play without creating too much outside their terrific opener by Baek Sung-Dong. Jeju United will need to improve drastically in an attacking sense as they haven’t been in the game at all but have defended resolutely.
A mere 4 minutes into the second half and after a calamitous own goal by Ha Chang-Rae has Jeju United level. It was dreadful defending initially by Australian defender Alexander Grant lacked any composure, smashed the ball off his fellow defender Ha Chang-Rae from point blank range and the ball ends up in the back of the net. After such a dominant first half showing it’s wiped away in a matter of minutes. 1-1. Game on.
On the 56th minute and the game has completely turned on its head as Jeju United take the lead courtesy of Kim Bong-Soo. It was a great corner whipped into the box by Reis who put it on the money for Kim Bong-Soo to and attack it and attack it he did. Kim Bong-Soo rose highest and bulleted his header towards goal but got a second bite at the cherry and his deflected volley in a crowded penalty area trickled into the bottom right-hand corner. It wasn’t a classic finish but what a vitally important goal as his side now leads 2-1. Grant’s error that leads to the equaliser looks like a major turning point tin this game as Jeju United are now in the ascendency. 2-1. What a comeback by the Jeju United!
Zeca nearly makes an immediate impact off the bench on the 69th minute as he rattles the crossbar from the angle of the box on the left-hand side as he cut in on his favoured right foot. His curling effort had Kim Dong-Jun as a spectator as he was left rooted to the spot and watch the ball luckily for his sake crash off the crossbar and over the bar.
A game defining moment on the 73rd minute as an absolute worldie of a save by Kim Dong-Jun to preserve Jeju United’s slender lead as he somehow saved Kim Seung-Dae’s effort. There was a 3-on-2 situation following a swift counterattack by the away side as Go Young-Jun drove at the heart of Jeju United’s defence and had the option to slip in substitute Cho Jae-Hun but slipped in Kim Seung-Dae to the right. Kim Seung-Dae took a touch inside the box with the whole goal to aim at and tried to give Kim Dong-Jun the eyes, but he guessed correctly as he tried to curl the ball in at the near post and tipped the ball over the bar. A save fit to win any game! Pohang Steelers are starting to ramp up the pressure after a lacklustre start to the second half.
Jeju United win 2-1 at home to Pohang Steelers and will have Kim Dong-Jun to thank for his heroics in goal to make sure his side held on to claim all three points. Pohang Steelers dominated the first half without creating a lot but a crazy 20 minutes at the start of the second half and they somehow trailed. It just goes to show you can’t go through the motions and you need to be at it for the full 90 minutes. Pohang Steelers peppered the Jeju United goal in the last half hour of the game but Jeju United stood firm and in the end deserved their victory.
Next up for Jeju United is another home match where they will look to make it back-to-back home wins as they host Incheon United on Wednesday the 10th of May before travelling away to Suwon FC next Sunday the 14th of May.
Pohang Steelers are back in action on Tuesday the 9th of May when the travel away again to face Daegu FC and will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways before they have a home tie next Saturday the 13th of May when they host Daejeon Hana Citizen.
Jeju United: Kim Dong-Jun, Kim Oh-Kyu, Kim Joon-Su (Lim Chae-Min 80’), Woon Chung, An Tae-Hyun (Ahn Hyun-Beom 46’), Lee Chang-Min, Kim Bong-Soo, Lee Ju-Yong, Kim Dae-Hwan (Kim Ju-Gong 12’), Kwak Seung-Min (Seo Jun-Su 11’), Reis (Yuri 70’). Subs not used: Kim Keun-Bae, Lee Gi-Hyuk.
Pohang Steelers: Hwang In-Jae, Kim Yong-Hwan, Ha Chang-Rae, Alexander Grant, Sim Sang-Min, Oberdan, Lee Seung-Mo (Shin Kwang-Hoon 46’), Kim Seung-Dae, Go Young-Jun (Yoon Min-Ho 86’), Baek Sung-Dong (Cho Jae-Hun 66’), Lee Ho-Jae (Zeca 59’). Subs not used: Yoon Pyung-Gook, Park Chan-Yong, Roh Kyung-Ho.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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