FC Seoul continued their impressive home record as they notched up their sixteenth consecutive home league victory with a 3-1 win over Busan I’Park on Sunday, a result which keeps up the pressure on league leaders Jeju United with two rounds of matches remaining in the regular league season.
Jung Jo-guk set the home side on their way in the 18th minute after being set up by Uzbek international Server Djeparov, and then Dejan Damjanovic grabbed his twelvth of the campaign to double the lead on the half hour mark. Kim Eung-jin pulled one back for visitors Busan on half-time, however Choi Tae-wook made sure of the points with a late second half goal to keep FC Seoul second and within two points of Jeju United.
Kim Eun-jung scored his 97th K-League career goal as Jeju recorded a comfortable 3-0 win away at Daegu, Lee Hyun-ho and Natanael de Souza Santos also on target for the Seogwipo side who lead FC Seoul by two points but cruicually have just one match remaining this season whilst the capital club have a game more.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors moved up to third place as their 3-1 win at home to Chunnam Dragons moved them on to 48 points. A Yoo Ji-no own goal set them on their way and further strikes from Enio Oliveira Junior and Krunoslav Lovrek rounded off the win. Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, who began the weekend in third, dropped down to fourth as they were held 2-2 at home by Gwangju Sangmu Phoenix.
Gyeongnam FC confirmed their championship playoff slot as Lucio Tefilo da Silva’s 36th minute goal gave them their first win in five matches at home to Daejeon Citizen, whilst Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i closed in on securing the sixth and final playoff spot with a 3-0 win against Incheon United.
Jose Roberto Rodrigues Mota hit a double as Suwon Samsung Bluewings defeated Pohang Steelers 2-0, a result which keeps Suwon’s slim playoff hopes alive however they will require Ulsan to slip up in midweek at home to Daegu if they are to take the fight to the final round of matches next Sunday afternoon.
K-League Results (Saturday October 30th and Sunday October 31st, 2010)
Jeonbuk 3-1 Chunnam
Ulsan 3-0 Incheon
Seongnam 2-2 Gwangju
Suwon 2-0 Pohang
Daegu 0-3 Jeju
Seoul 3-1 Busan
Gyeongnam 1-0 Daejeon
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Gangneung City got back to winning ways in the National League on Saturday as their 3-0 win away to Chungju Hummel leaves them well placed for the run-in as the race for championship playoff positions heats up.
Their result leaves them second to Cheonan City in both the second stage and combined rankings tables however Cheonan, who defeated Mokpo City 2-0 at the weekend to remain top, have just one match remaining whilst the other playoff hopefuls all have two more matches in which to pick up much-needed points.
Goyang Kookmin Bank and Ulsan Mipo Dockyard both picked up fine victories to remain in the hunt whilst Suwon City, who were idle this weekend, remain in a strong position to claim a playoff spot. Busan Transportation Corporation’s hopes were dealt as blow as they conceded a late goal away to Yongin City which meant they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Suwon City will host Cheonan City on Tuesday evening whilst Gangneung take on Ulsan Mipo at the same time as four of the six playoff hopefuls go head-to-head. Busan Transport host Ansan Hallelujah that evening whilst Goyang travel to face first stage winners Daejeon Hydro & Nuclear Power, matches that will set the scene for the final round of fixtures to be played on Saturday November 6th.
National League Results (Friday October 29th and Saturday October 30th, 2010)
Ansan Hallelujah 2-1 Incheon Korail
Changwon City 1-2 Daejeon HNP
Goyang KB 5-3 Yesan FC
Mokpo City 0-2 Cheonan City
Ulsan Mipo 3-0 Gimhae FC
Chungju Hummel 0-3 Gangneung City
Yongin City 2-2 Busan Transport
