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Korea: K-League Wrap [Wed Nov 9th, 2005]
Incheon United became the second team to secure a playoff place in the K-League in an incredibly low scoring penultimate round of fixtures in the second stage.
In the six games, only two goals were scored, but the strikes were hugely important ones in determining which three teams join first-stage winners Pusan I-cons in the end of season playoffs.
Incheon United became the second side to guarantee an extension to the regular season with an 87th-minute penalty, converted by Serbian striker Dzenan Radondic, enough to take all three points at Chunnam Dragons.
The victory means that United will be one of the two teams that qualify for the playoffs by virtue of collecting the most points throughout the season as a whole.
The only other team to win was Bucheon SK. Koh Ki-koo has been in impressive form in attack for the league’s regular strugglers and his 57th minute strike was enough to take all three points at the home of first-stage winners and second stage cellar dwellers Pusan.
If Bucheon take all three points on Wednesday when Daejeon Citizen visit the city’s municipal stadium then the team, which has finished the last two seasons in last place, will be one of the four.
Second stage leaders Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma were held to a goalless draw at Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i. The six-time champions were reduced to ten man after 30 minutes as Mota was shown the red card for the use of an elbow but they managed to hang on for the point. A similar result on Wednesday will be enough to enter the playoffs when Pohang Steelers visit.
Ulsan and Pohang both need to win on Wednesday to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The other fixtures all finished goalless.
Results – Sunday November 6
Pusan I-cons 0-1 Bucheon SK
Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I 0-0 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Daejeon Citizen 0-0 FC Seoul
Chunnam Dragons 0-1 Incheon United
Samsung Samsung Bluewings 0-0 Daegu FC
Gwangju Sangmu 0-0 Chonbuk Hyundai Motors
Fixtures – Wednesday November 9
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma v Pohang Steelers
Chonbuk Hyundai Motors v Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i
Incheon United v Gwangju Sangmu
FC Seoul v Chunnam Dragons
Bucheon SK v Daejeon Citizen
Daegu FC v Pusan I-cons
Standings-Second Stage
1: Seongnam 26 2: Bucheon 25 3: Incheon 21 4: Daegu 19 5: Pohang 18 6: Ulsan 18
Overall Standings
1: Incheon 45 2: Seongnam 42 3: Bucheon 41 4: Ulsan 40 5: Pohang 39 6: FC Seoul 32
John Duerden
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