K League Preview: Pohang Steelers Distracted by AFC Champions League, Incheon United Struggle with Goal-scoring Issues

At 18:30 on September 27th, the K1 League’s 32nd round will see Pohang Steelers host Incheon United at their home ground.

The home team, Pohang Steelers, experienced a rollercoaster in stoppage time during their last match. After being equalized in the 93rd minute, they managed to secure a victory thanks to forward Jorge’s goal in the 95th minute. The league campaign finally saw a rebound, and the previously criticized Jorge was named MVP of that round. On October 1st, the team will face Chinese Super League powerhouse Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League, which is likely to be a distraction.

In terms of personnel, central defender Lee Dong-hee is injured and will continue to miss this game. Forward Lee Ho-jun suffered a serious injury previously and is still in the recovery stage, making it unlikely for him to return anytime soon. While the team does not have many injuries, the two players who are out are key members of the defense and attack, and their absence has a significant impact. Main goalkeeper Hwang In-tae, who briefly made the national team, has been in extremely poor form recently. He was benched by head coach Park Tae-ha in the previous away AFC Champions League match against Shanghai Shenhua and the home game against Gangwon.

Pohang Steelers’ attacking power remains solid, with three of their last five matches seeing them score two or more goals. Their last clean sheet against them dates back to May. Despite Lee Ho-jun’s injury, players with overseas experience like Hong Yoon-hyang, Baek Sung-dong, who played in Japan, and winger Jung Jae-hee all possess goal-scoring abilities.

Their defense is a weak point, with eight of their last ten matches conceding two or more goals. The already thin bench depth of the defense has become even weaker due to Lee Dong-hee’s injury, coupled with the poor form of first-choice goalkeeper Hwang In-tae, leaving the backline somewhat unreliable.

The visiting team, Incheon United, secured a valuable point with a 0-0 draw against Ulsan HD in their last match. However, with one win, one draw, and three losses in their last five matches, they remain at the bottom of the league table. Incheon United, once known as a relegation escape artist, had breathed a sigh of relief over the past two years but finds itself embroiled in another relegation battle this year. With multiple successful relegation escapes under their belt, Incheon United tends to become more resilient every autumn.

In terms of personnel, Australian central defender Delbridge continues to recover from his injury and is unlikely to play today. Former super-sub Song Si-woo will also miss the game due to an injury. Recently injured defensive midfielder Moon Ji-hwan has traveled abroad for treatment and will also be absent.

Incheon United faces a goal-scoring dilemma. They have been kept goalless in their last two matches, and in their last nine matches, only one saw them scoring two or more goals. Main striker Mugosa has only netted once in the last four games, while the return of Jerso is good news, he has not scored in his last five appearances.

In terms of historical encounters, Pohang Steelers have won three and drawn two in their last five meetings with Incheon United, never losing to them, giving them a psychological edge.

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