Recap: Jeju United 1-2 FC Seoul - The Rotten Run Continues for The Tangerines | OneFootball

Jeju United hosted FC Seoul in the late Saturday kick-off. The recent history between these two suggested a Jeju win would be the most favourable result, however, FC Seoul grabbed their first league win against Jeju in 10 games in dramatic fashion.

Pre-Match Build-Up

Going into this game, Jeju United desperately needed a bit of fortune as in recent weeks, that was something they seemed to lack. Their previous two fixtures saw controversial penalties either awarded against them, like in the Daegu match, or a penalty overruled, as seen in the game against Incheon.

On the other hand, FC Seoul were looking to bounce back from last weekends defeat to Ulsan Hyundai, to continue their push up the table, for an ACL spot, and judging by the league table thus far, potentially being Ulsan Hyundai's title rivals.

Statistical Run-Down

Attendance: 7,078

How The Teams Lined-Up

Jeju United:

3-4-3:

GK: Kim Dong-jun;DEF: Kim Oh-kyu, Kim Ju-won, Woon Jeong;MID: Ahn Hyun-beom, Kim Bong-su (Own Goal: 67'), Koo Ja-cheol, Lee Ju-yong;ATT: Kim Dae-hwan, Reis, Gi Sang-wook.

Substitutes:

An Tae-hyun, Kim Ju-gong (46' Reis), Kim Keun-bae, Kim Seung-sub (13' Kim Dae-hwan), Seo Jin-su (13' Gi Sang-wook), Song Ju-hun (Goal: 90+2' | 29' Woon Jeong), Yuri (78' Kim Bong-su).

FC Seoul:

4-4-2:

GK: Choi Cheol-won;DEF: Kim Jin-ya (Assist: 90+6'), Osmar, Kim Joo-sung, Lee Tae-seok;

Substitutes:

Baek Jong-beom, Han Chan-hee, Hwang Hyun-soo (80' Na Sang-ho), Kim Shin-jin (46' Iljutcenko), Lee Si-young, Park Dong-jin, Park Soo-il (62' Lim Sang-hyub).

As predicted in my match preview, An Ik-soo opted for his usual 4-4-2 formation. Early signs showed its vulnerability against Nam Ki-il's 3-4-3 as Jeju were very positive in their play.

Within the first 15 minutes, Jeju made a double substitution. Kim Seung-sub in place of 18-year-old Kim Dae-hwan and Seo Jin-su comes on for Gi Sang-wook. Both players coming off filled Jeju's U22 quota, allowing them to make five subs in total.

For the most part, the opening 20 minutes were dominated by Jeju. They were by far the better team, putting Seoul on the back foot from the off. Although it wasn't an action-packed match from kick-off to the 20th minute, Seoul were passengers in a game Jeju were happy to retain possession, containing Seoul to their own half as much as possible.

We saw the first real chance on goal in the 25th minute when Jeju's Ahn Hyun-beom swung in a deep cross to the back post which was cleared by Osmar. The high clearance met the head of Lee Ju-yong on the edge of the penalty area and the ball found its way through the FC Seoul backline into the path of Seo Jin-su who unleashed a deadly volley which cannoned off the crossbar and onto the goal line, somehow staying out. The angle on the replay seemed to show the ball over the line, however, the goal, maybe controversially, was not given. Seo put his hands on his head in utter disbelief. He has been Jeju's best player so far this season, regardless of his lack of direct goal contributions.

Unfortunately, in the 30th minute, Jeju defender Woon Jeong passes the ball out of play under no pressure. He fell to the ground clutching his hamstring and is no longer able to continue. Another injured player to add to the list of Jeju's injury crisis.

Almost a repeat to Jeju's earlier chance, in the 39th minute, Ahn Hyun-beom with another cross on the near side, this time cleared at the near post by Kim Joo-sung. Kim's header ended up to Kim Bong-su who passed the ball to Reis with his chest towards the near post, but the Brazilian couldn't get a good connection on the shot, which was sliced and ended up as a goal kick to FC Seoul.

Five minutes before the break, FC Seoul had their first dangerous attack. Song Ju-hun was brought down by Na Sang-ho but the referee deemed the challenge legal. Na darted into the box and cut the ball back to Hwang Ui-jo on the edge of the penalty area, and with half an empty goal, he managed to hit the post! He would be the first person to tell you he should've scored that. A wasted opportunity to take the lead before the interval.

On the 45th minute, 3 minutes of additional time were to be played, but there was no reportable action in that timeframe.

Half-Time Thoughts

Overall, an even half, a draw possibly the right result. Seo Jin-su was very unfortunate to rattle the crossbar with a ferocious volley 12 yards out, how the ball never went in was certainly bemusing. That being said, Hwang Ui-jo hit the post from 18 yards out on the stroke of half-time, and both missed chances essentially cancel each other out. Jeju with a much better and positive start. FC Seoul posed no real threat, they will be disappointed.

Second Half Run-Down

The half time break saw a substitution apiece. For Jeju,  Reis replaced Kim Ju-gong and Seoul's Iljutcenko was brought off for Kim Shin-jin.

15 minutes later we were introduced to another substitution for FC Seoul: Park Soo-il came on for Lim Sang-hyub.

A very quiet opening 20 minutes to the second half, similar to that of the first. A FC Seoul attack resulted in a corner and the play was called back. Koo Ja-cheol was awarded a yellow card for his late challenge on Na Sang-oh on the halfway line.

GOAL! The aforementioned corner was whipped in by Ki Sung-yeong and went over the head of a jumping Koo Ja-cheol. The ball bounced off of an unaware Kim Bong-su and past the outstretched Kim Dong-jun into the bottom corner! Not against the run of play but FC Seoul never looked like scoring. Nevertheless, the away side led 1-0 in the MINUTE minute!

Jeju made their fifth and final change in the 78th minute, Yuri entered in place of Kim Bong-su.

Two minutes later FC Seoul made their third substitution; Na Sang-ho made way for Hwang Hyun-soo.

As the match clock struck 90, 5 minutes were added on to the end of regulation time by the fourth official.

2 minutes into the stoppage time, Jeju came agonisingly close! Ahn Hyun-beom passed it short to Koo Ja-cheol who played a sensational pinpoint accurate cross towards Yuri who waited on the penalty spot. He got the better of Osmar in the aerial duel but unfortunately, Yuri saw his header hit the top of the bar and go out for a goal kick to FC Seoul.

GOAL! Koo Ja-cheol fizzed a lovely low cross into the box towards the path of a running Yuri but FC Seoul keeper, Choi Cheol-won, intercepted it. However, to his dismay, he made another error, failing to keep possession of the ball, which ended up dropping to an unmarked Kim Ju-hun who slotted home the equaliser for Jeju in the 92nd minute!

GOAL!! In the 96th minute, Ki Sung-yeong fed the ball between two Jeju defenders into the feet of Kim Jin-ya who ran to the byline and cut it back to an open Palocevic who took a touch and rifled the ball into the roof of the net, which won Seoul all three points, with the last kick of the game!

Full-Time Thoughts

Four games and no wins in 2023 see Jeju United struggling to match the lofty pre-season expectations set by supporters. Compared to 2022's form after four matches, Jeju are now three points worse off in this campaign. The only thing that has apparently improved, based purely on statistics, is Goals For. After four matches in 2022, Jeju scored just once in a 1-0 win away to Suwon Samsung Bluewings, thanks to Kim Ju-gong. This year, they have managed to score twice, despite their final third play being frustrating for their fans to watch.

This match started off feeling different. Nam Ki-il's decision to drop Yuri looked like a positive choice, allowing Jeju to be more creative and free to play along the interchangeable front three. Based on recent form, a draw would've been a decent result for the Islanders, but to lose in the 96th minute due to lapses of concentration is heartbreaking.

Jeju can be somewhat happy in the first half, with good pressing, positive play, and without fear of running at the opposition. But in the second half, not only did they change down a gear, it's like they went into reverse until the last five minutes once again.

On the contrary, FC Seoul will be delighted with the result. From a very poor first half where they barely showed up, to a much more clinical, hard-fought second half, they can hold their heads up high.

FC Seoul's Choi Cheol-won will make some headlines again as he makes yet another error leading to conceding, but his blushes were spared thanks to a great finish by Palocevic, into the roof of the net. That result saw FC Seoul top the table (before Ulsan played) so the team from the Capital of Korea can be very pleased with their 2023 start!

Next Up for Both Teams

In Round 5, Jeju United host Ulsan Hyundai after the international break, on April 2nd. Ulsan with four wins from four, continuing their perfect start into the international break after a resounding 3-0 victory at home to Suwon FC. Ulsan are high-flying right now, and it will take a lot to stop them, Nam Ki-il and his men will have a very tough game on their hands.

As for FC Seoul, they are away to Daejeon on April 1st. Daejeon are unbeaten this season (2 wins, 2 draws) and will be coming off the back of an impressive 3-1 away win against Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Daejeon have also got the joint-best attacking record in the league, with Ulsan Hyundai, scoring eight goals. This match should be a great contest.