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Korea: K-League Preview- Playoff race hots up [Sat Oct 22nd, 2005]
As the K-League season approaches its climax, Incheon United can virtually clinch a place in the end of season championship playoffs with a win at Pusan I-cons.
United lie in fifth in the second stage, but have accumulated the most points over the season as a whole and have a great chance of joining first stage winners Pusan in the title-deciding games in December. Pusan have yet to win in the second phase, but have been better than results suggest, making Incheon’s job a tough one.
Sunday’s big game is in the south-east where Daegu FC meet Buchoen SK. Daegu lie in second, level on points with the leaders and with no chance of reaching the play-offs with their overall record, they will have to win the second phase outright. Three points against fourth-placed Bucheon will be a huge step towards that objective.
Second stage leaders Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma have come good at the right time, with their deadly strike force of Mota and Kim Do-hoon terrorising opposition defences. A trip to mid-table Chunnam Dragons awaits.
Pohang Steelers have stuttered of late but are still in with a chance of making the playoffs. However, last season’s runners-up need a win at lowly Gwangju Sangmu.
Elsewhere, the two teams that many though would be battling it out for the title, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and FC Seoul meet – the Samsung and LG-backed clubs are now just waiting for a hugely disappointing season to end. As are Daejeon Citizen and Chonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Second Stage Standings
1: Seongnam 19 2: Daegu 19 3: Ulsan 17 4: Bucheon 16: Incheon 15
Overall Standings
1: Incheon 39 2: Ulsan 39 3: Seongnam 35 4: Pohang 33 5: Bucheon 32 6: Daegu 28 7: Suwon 27
John Duerden
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