Suwon City and Daejeon Hydro & Nuclear Power will contest the 2010 National League Championship final after both sides overcame tough opposition in their playoff semi-final matches this weekend.
Suwon have finished runners-up on three occasions since the National League was originally launched as the K2 League back in 2003, and they now have the opportunity to go one better and claim their first championship crown after defeating defending champions Gangneung City in front of 2,000 fans at the Gangneung stadium on Friday evening.
Former Incheon United forward Park Jong-chan was the goal hero for the visitors as he fired his side ahead on the stroke of half-time, and then doubled the lead just before the hour mark to put Kim Chang-kyum’s side in a comfortable position. Lee Sung-min ensured a grandstand finish as he pulled one back for the home side with nine minutes remaining, however with the match deep into injury time Park wrapped up his hat-trick and sent his side through to the two-legged final.
Lying in wait for Suwon City in the final are first stage winners Daejeon who pulled off a surprise 2-1 home win over form side and two-time former National League champions Goyang Kookmin Bank. Lee Sung-min’s seventh minute header had put Goyang ahead early on, however goals from Lee Sung-woon and Kim Yoon-sik overturned their advantage and ended Goyang’s hopes of a third title.
The two teams will meet in the two-legged championship final with the first leg in Daejeon on Tuesday November 16th before the return leg at the Suwon civil stadium on Saturday November 20th.
2010 National League Championship Playoff Semi-final results (Friday November 12th 2010)
Daejeon Hydro & Nuclear Power 2-1 Goyang Kookmin Bank
Gangneung City 1-3 Suwon City
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Samcheok Sinwoo Electronics and Gyeongju Citizen played out a goalless draw in the first leg of the K3 League championship playoff final on Saturday. Gyeongju enjoyed the better of the possession and efforts on goal however they were unable to break down the well-organised Samcheok rearguard.
The second leg will take place in Gyeongju on Saturday November 20th.
K3 League Championship Final First Leg (Saturday November 13th 2010)
Samcheok Sinwoo Electronics 0-0 Gyeongju Citizen
