Professional soccer K League 2 Gimcheon Commerce failed to defend its lead and drew with Gyeongnam FC, putting a red flag on its upset win scenario.
Gimcheon drew 1-1 away to Gyeongnam in the 38th round of the Hana OneQ K League 2 2023 at the Changwon Football Center in Gyeongnam on the afternoon of the 11th.
With 21 points, second-place Gimcheon (68) closed the gap on leader Busan I-Park (6920 points, 9 draws and 5 losses), but failed to pick up the much-needed three points, putting them at a significant disadvantage in the title race.
Busan, which has played one less game, can clinch the title in this round if it wins against the Jeonnam Dragons on Dec. 12.
Even if Busan draws the match, Gimcheon will have to win the final match against Seoul Eland FC on the 26th.
Meanwhile, Gyeongnam (14 wins, 12 draws, 9 losses – 53 points) managed to secure a hard-fought draw to move up to fourth place, ahead of Bucheon FC (same points, 54-41 goals).
They also gained an advantage in the race for the semi-playoffs (PO).
In K League 2, the fifth-place team plays the fourth-place team in the semifinals before facing the third-place team, and the winner plays the 10th-place team in K League 1 in the relegation PO.
Gimcheon took the lead in the ninth minute of the second half when Lee Young-joon, a long striker who stands over 190 centimeters, showed off his talent and scored the first goal.
After receiving a pass from Kim Jin-gyu in the penalty area, Young-joon used a trick move to get past two defenders and then cut low with his right foot to poke the ball into the corner of the opposite goal.
Gyeongnam coach Seol Ki-hyun then brought on Gleison-Castro in the 16th minute of the second half to bolster the attack, and after gradually regaining the initiative, Park Min-seo equalized in the 41st minute.
Park Min-seo connected with a non-stop left-footed shot from the corner of the penalty box to open the Gimcheon goal, which was saved by goalkeeper Shin Song-hoon.
Chungbuk Cheongju FC defeated Chungnam Asan FC 1-0 at home in the final ‘Chungcheongnam Derby’ of the season.
With the win, sixth-place Chungbuk Cheongju (13W, 12D, 10L, 36G) accumulated 51 points, but their chances of qualifying for the semi-final PO are fading. 무지개토토 주소
Their goal difference with fifth-place Bucheon is three. As a result, the standings will only change if Bucheon loses the final match without scoring and Chungbuk Cheongju scores six or more goals.
Meanwhile, Chungbuk Cheongju’s victory was their first over their “Chungcheong rivals” Chungnam Asan, whom they hadn’t beaten all season.