'Kim Shin-jin's debut goal + Byun Kyung-joon's 1 goal - 2 assists' E-Land won 3-0 against Gyeongnam...Foundation's 2nd PO line confirmed + secured at least 3rd place 'Dan's best performance'

Nov 03, 2024

Seoul E-Land has confirmed its second advance to the playoffs.

E-Land won 3-0 against Gyeongnam FC at Changwon Football Center on the 3rd with the strong performance of Byun Kyung-joon, who scored one goal and two assists in the 38th round of the 「Hana Bank K League 2 2024」. E-Land, which won two consecutive games and added three points, jumped to second place with 58 points, beating Asan, South Chungcheong Province (57 points). E-Land confirmed at least third place regardless of the outcome of the remaining one game, as well as qualifying for the playoffs. It is the first time in 10 years that E-Land has reached the playoffs since 2015, the first season of its foundation. E-Land ranked at least third, becoming the highest since its foundation. E-Land's 17 wins this season are tied with the club's most wins recorded in 2016.

On the other hand, South Gyeongsang Province suffered in its final home game of the season. South Gyeongsang Province confirmed its 12th place with a loss on the day.

South Gyeongsang pulled out a 3-4-3 card. Saraiva-Arabulli-Fonseca, foreign trio set up front. Kim Jin-rae, Lee Min-hyuk, Jung Hyun-chul, and Park Won-jae stood in the waistline. Kim Hyung-jin, Lee Kang-hee, and Lee Chan-wook made up the three-back. Kim Min-joon defended the goal. Dongjin Park, Lee Si-heon and Do Dong-hyun stood on the bench.

Provisional coach Kwon Woo-kyung said, `It may not be an easy game, but wouldn't The E-Land be more urgent. If we score first, the opponent will be more and more urgent. We have prepared players who can threaten the opponent in terms of speed."

E-Land goes all out. He put forward the same lineup as the match against Seongnam during the week, which won 1-0. With Jung Jae-min as the axis, Byun Kyung-joon and Cho Young-kwang stood on the left and right. Park Min-seo and Kwang-hoon were in the left and right wingbacks, and Seo Jae-min and Kazuki were in the midfield. The three-back was achieved by Kim Oh-kyu, Baek Ji-woong, and Kim Min-gyu. Moon Jung-in wears goalkeeper gloves. Kim Shin-jin, Montagno, and Bruno Silva started on the bench.

Coach Kim, whom we met before the game, said, `The goal is second place. If you win today and win the rest of the game, it's confirmed, but today's victory is important anyway. If you don't win today, it's complicated. I think we should focus on winning both games."

E-Land pushed the opponent hard from the beginning. In the third minute of the first half, Kazuki scored a corner from the left. It fell backward after being hit by Jung Jae-min's head, but it did not fit E-Land players' heads. South Gyeongsang Province also fought back. 13 min South Gyeongsang scored a sharp free kick from the left. Moon Jung-in punched nicely and blocked it.

E-Land's attacks followed. In the 20th minute, Park Min-seo's ball from the left hit Jung Jae-min's head. But it was weak. The goalkeeper caught it easily.

Gyeongnam, which has overcome the crisis, has begun to gain strength. In the 29th minute, Saraiva cut off the ball and launched a counterattack. In the process of breaking through, he tripped over. In a good position, Saraiva's low free-kick hit the wall and weakened. In the 32nd minute, Aravuli had a chance to face the goalkeeper. Goalkeeper Moon Jung-in blocked it well. But it was offside.

36 min Gyeongnam made a good shot. In a corner kick situation, Kim Jin-rae arced the ball and connected it with a powerful left-footed shot. The goalkeeper made a good save. A minute later, Sarabia broke through the right and gave it away. Lee Min-hyuk hit the center and shot his left foot. Slightly missed the crossbar.

At the end of the first half, it was E-Land's flow again. 38 min Byeon Kyung-joon hit from the right and attempted a left-footed shot from the front. He came out after hitting the defense. In the 40th minute, Kazuki penetrated into the box and passed to Jung Jae-min at the center. He came out after Jung Jae-min's shooting defense.

South Gyeongsang Province also faced off. In the 41st minute, Fonseca broke through in the box and fired a right footed shot. He headed in front of the goalkeeper.

43 min E-Land had the best chance of the first half. Byun Kyung-joon scored a sharp cross from the right. Jung Jae-min jumped in and connected with a header. Goalkeeper Kim Min-joon saved it nicely. In the 45th minute, an early cross by Kwang-hoon from the right was done to Jung Jae-min, who was jumping in. However, it didn't touch properly, and it didn't lead to the finish.

In the end, the first half ended 0-0.

E-Land made a change at the start of the second half. The contrast light was removed and Bruno Silva was added. 6 min E-Land launched a sharp attack. Byun Kyung-joon broke through the right and crossed. Bruno Silva, who was in the center of the box, caught it with his chest and attempted an overhead kick. It didn't fit properly. Soon after, Gyeongnam made a change. I took out Sarabia and added Lee Si-heon.

11 min Eland wrote two replacement cards. Except for Jung Jae-min and Kim Oh-kyu, Kim Shin-jin and Lee In-jae were added. The replacement immediately paid off. In the 12th minute, Byun Kyung-joon won after a strong physical fight and pierced the right side. He sent the ball to the center without delay, and Kim Shin-jin shook Gyeongnam's net with a powerful right footed shot. It was Kim Shin-jin's first goal after coming on loan to E-Land.

19 min Eland scored an extra goal. Kazuki's exquisite pass connected to Bruno Silva, who was digging in to the left. Bruno Silva broke through and sent a sensational pass to the center, which connected to Byun Kyung-joon. Byun Kyung-joon calmly pushed it in. It was his second consecutive goal and his first double-digit score in his career. 10th goal. E-Land took out Kazuki and put in Park Chang-hwan in the 20th minute.

E-Land, who gained momentum, hit a powerful right-footed shot in the 22nd minute when Byun Kyung-joon broke through the right side. I hit the side net. In the 27th minute, he broke through from the right and connected to Bruno Silva in the center. Bruno Silva fired a powerful left-footed shot, but it went wide of the net.

28 min Gyeongnam took out two replacement cards. Park Won-jae and Kim Hyung-jin were excluded and cosmic rays were added. 32 min E-Land sealed it. Byun Kyung-joon broke through the right and sent a low and fast cross. Bruno Silva finished by jumping in. Bruno Silva, who returned from injury, scored a goal for the first time in five months since the match against Gyeongnam on June 1.

Coach Kim put in Montagno in the 34th minute without Bruno Silva. South Gyeongsang Province also fought back. In the 40th minute, a cross from the right was connected to Lee Si-heon. The sliding shot went over the post. 41 min Byeon Kyung-joon shook Gyeongnam's net once again, but the referee declared a foul.

Gyeongnam went on a last-minute offensive. But E-Land's defensive wall was thick. In the end, E-Land won a 3-0 victory.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com