Gimpo FC aims for another ‘upset’.
Gimpo has been on a roll this season. They haven’t lost a game in 12 matches with seven wins and five draws. This is the only team in K League 1 and 2 to do so. Even K League 1 leaders Ulsan Hyundai have one loss (12 wins and one draw).
In addition to the league, Gimpo also knocked out K League 1 FC Seoul on penalties in the third round of the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup. Gimpo will play their FA Cup round of 16 match on April 24 at Gimpo Solter Stadium. Their opponent is Gangwon FC. Gangwon also defeated Chungbuk Cheongju FC on penalties in the third round.
Furthermore, Gimpo did not play as a rested team in the 14th round. This is an advantage because it doesn’t require much physical exertion. That’s good news for Gimpo, who play a high intensity style of soccer. It means that the attacking trio of foreign players Luis, Pablo, and Juningyo will be able to operate normally. Furthermore, Gimpo is the lowest conceding team in the K League 2. They have a salty defense that has only conceded four goals in 12 games. Gimpo’s backline, consisting of Kim Tae-han, Cho Sung-kwon, and Kim Min-ho, has been solid.
Conversely, Gangwon is the lowest-scoring team in K League 1. With seven goals in 14 games, they have scored just one goal every two games. It’s painfully obvious that Kim Dae-won (1 assist) and Yang Hyun-joon (1 goal, 1 assist), who were so dominant last season, have been silent. Foreign strikers Dino and Gallego (1 goal) are also struggling to find the back of the net. The only consolation is that striker Lee Jung-hyeop made his comeback in the 14th round against the Pohang Steelers (1-1 draw). The question is whether Gangwon’s blunt spear will be able to penetrate Gimpo’s formidable defense. 토토사이트
Fellow K League 2 clubs Seoul Eland, Gyeongnam FC, and Jeonnam Dragons will also be looking for an ‘upset’. Jeonnam and Seoul Eland will host Ulsan and Gwangju at home, respectively. Gyeongnam will travel to Incheon. The only other K3 League team to reach the round of 16, Paju Min Football Club, will challenge Jeonbuk Hyundai. Paju defeated Dangjin in the third round. Jeonbuk is seventh in the standings, but has been on the rise under Kim Doo-hyun. Especially in the 14th round against Suwon FC (3-1 win), they wore their distinctive “Dakgong” colors. Striker Cho Kyu-sung returned after a two-month absence and made his presence felt up front. Other flankers such as Moon Sun-min and Song Min-gyu are also finding their form.