The K-League moves into matchday 3 this weekend with a big showdown between fourth-place Seongnam and fifth-place Gangwon. The two teams had differing results last weekend.
Seongnam finished nil-nil at home versus Incheon United in a game they completely dominated. The Magpies tallied 71% of the possession. However, Seongnam failed to register a shot on target. Manager Kim Nam-il will hope his side have their shooting boots on this weekend.
Gangwon were utter abysmal when they played versus Sangju Sangmu on matchday 2. The Kodiaks, who looked great versus FC Seoul on opening day, couldn’t string passes together and constantly made poor decisions in attack.
Goalkeeper Kwang-yeon Lee was caught off his line a few times with Sangju’s second goal coming due to a goalkeeping error. Despite playing poorly, Gangwon dominated the statistical categories on matchday 2. Can they make those stats count on Saturday versus Seongnam?
Seongnam have posted a 2W-2D-2L record against Gangwon over the course of their last six fixtures. Two of their last three matches ended with over 2.5 goals scored and both teams finding the back of the net.
Matches played at the Chuncheon Songam Stadium have seen goals galore in recent time. Gangwon have seen 11 of their last 13 home matches finish with over 2.5 goals scored in the K-League. The last six home matches played by the Kodiaks saw them score at least two goals.
Striker Dong-hyeon Yang has started the season brightly for Seongnam. The 34-year-old has led a journeyman’s existence in football after emerging from Real Valladolid's youth academy in 2004, although he never played for the Spanish club.
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Yang has scored two goals in two games which is good for second-most in the K-League. The striker has converted 40% of his shots into goals after two matchdays.
Seongnam are yet to concede a goal in league play. Goalkeeper Young-kwang Kim has kept back to back clean sheets and has made two saves over the course of 180 minutes of football.
Although the Magpies have played well defensively, Gangwon should be able to breach their defence playing at home. Gangwon should resemble the team from matchday 1 which were victorious over FC Seoul rather than the disappointing side that lost to Sangju last weekend.
Still, Seongnam should go away from home and collect a victory against the Kodiaks. Saturday’s game should see over 2.5 goals scored and both teams find the back of the net as the Magpies stay unbeaten.