'All teams are downgrade candidates'Gwangju isn't free either'FinalB' became 'Delegation Hell'
Sep 29, 2024
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The 'Hana Bank K League 1 2024' still has the final regular league match left, but the upper and lower streams were divided early on. Final A, which determines the winner and the team that advanced to the Asian Champions League, is also hot, but Final B is facing a breathtaking relegation battle to the extent that it really does not lack the expression 'hell'. From 7th place Gwangju (40 points) to the lowest Incheon United (32 points), all teams are eligible for relegation.
The composition fluctuated once again through this weekend's 32 rounds. The 7th and 8th teams lost side by side. Gwangju lost 0-2 to Gimcheon Sangmu on the 28th, and Jeju United, ranked eighth, lost 1-2 to Jeonbuk Hyundai. Gwangju, which was confirmed to go to the Final B after losing to the Pohang Steelers in the last round, was completely defeated by Gimcheon, which was on the rise. Jeju put the game to square one with Yuri Jonathan's tying penalty goal at the end, but it collapsed by giving up the winning goal to Jeon Jin-woo in extra time. Gwangju remained at 40 points and Jeju at 38. Although it maintained the 7th and 8th places, the difference between the 10th-ranked Daegu FC (35 points), the relegation Maginot Line, was reduced to 5 points and 3 points.
In the meantime, the lower neighborhood has changed its ranking again. Jeonbuk, which had six undefeated matches (4 wins and 2 draws), finally succeeded in escaping the relegation zone. He ranked ninth with 37 points. Jeonbuk, which is on a steep upward trajectory, has been out of the relegation zone for the first time in four months since May 25. The relegation zone was followed by Daegu (36 goals), Daejeon Hana Citizen (35 goals, 35 points or more), and Incheon. Daegu drew 1-1 with Cesinha's last-minute equalizer in an away match against Gangwon FC on the 28th, lost 0-1 to Ulsan HD the previous day, and rose to 10th place by beating Daejeon, which ended its unbeaten run in six games. Daejeon dropped from 9th to 11th. Incheon, which has no wins in three games, is staying at the bottom for a long time.
In Final B, about three to four teams have been fighting for relegation. Unfortunately, they failed to go to Final A, but one or two teams, regardless of the relegation zone, played their own league without motivation. This season is different. All the teams in Final B have joined the relegation war. Everyone has a risk of relegation. The split round, which takes place after 33 rounds, has literally become a six-point 'Guillotine Match'. The thin ice fight that has become a relegation hell, Final B this season is foreshadowing a fiercer all-time finish.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
