K League classic 2015 preview
part two
Jeonnam Dragons
Jeonnam started well last season but faded towards the end, just missing out on a top-half finish. This season they have brought in a new manager, former Jeonnam player No Sang Rae, who steps up after being the club’s assistant last season. Versatile winger Choi Hyo Jin has been brought in from Seoul, and former Croatian Under-21 international Mislav Orsic has been loaned from Rijeka to try and give the side a bit more creativity in the final third.
Pohang Steelers
For much of last season, Pohang looked as if they could retain their 2013 title, but they dropped off badly after the split and ended up missing out on the top three. Without the ACL to worry about this season they may be a little bit fresher in the first half of the campaign. After going two seasons without any foreign players, Pohang have brought in three foreigners this season. Former Bolton and Crystal Palace midfielder Andre Moritz has been brought in after a short spell in Mumbai. Serbian forward Lazar Veselinovic has been brought in from Vojvodina where he had a decent spell last season. However Pohang have lost some of their better players this winter with Korean international Lee Myung Joo moving to Al Ain for a whopping $5 million, also leaving Pohang is young talent Hwang Hee Chan who has moved to Red Bull Salzburg.
Seongnam FC
Despite a disappointing time in the league last season, Seongnam managed to win the FA cup and thereby qualify for the ACL. Uzbek captain Server Djeperov left the club for Ulsan but Seongnam have strengthened their squad by bringing in Incheon captain Park Tae Min as well as former West Brom and Korean international midfielder Kim Do Heon from Suwon. On their limited budget it may be difficult for Seongnam to remain competitive in both the ACL and the league this season and could find themselves at the wrong end of the table again this year. They travel to defending champions Jeonbuk for their opening match.
FC Seoul
Seoul started last season poorly and played some dour football but managed to hit some form at the end of the season to sneak into the ACL places. They struggled for goals last season, scoring the lowest number of goals of any of the top seven teams, but were solid at the back. This winter must feel like Déjà vu for Seoul fans as once again key players left the club for China. Kim Ju Young, who played a huge part in their defensive solidity, has left for Shanghai whilst Escudero has moved to Jiangsu Sainty. Seoul’s team once again looks weaker than the previous year with the only notable signing being Lee Seok Hyun from Incheon United. Seoul fans will be hoping that Cha Du-Ri’s evergreen spell continues, he was outstanding last year for both Seoul and the national team, and although he is 34 years old, he may still have a few more years of quality left in him.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
A good end to the season meant that Suwon finished second in the K league and despite rumours of cost cutting, they have kept hold of key players including the K-league’s top scorer, Santos, as well as Jong Tae Se and defender Hong Chul. They have also brought in two more Brazilians, Leo has arrived from Swiss side FC Sion where he was highly thought of. Joining him is Kaio who has signed from Jeonbuk. This gives Suwon an impressive choice of attackers which should worry defenses around the K-League and give them the depth required to compete in the ACL. Suwon are at home to Pohang in what is probably the pick of the opening weekend’s matches.
Ulsan Hyundai
After a bright start, Ulsan fell away last season, finishing a disappointing sixth in the league. They may well have done better if their star striker Kim Shin-Wook had managed more than 20 appearances. The Korean international is linked with moves to Europe and whether or not he stays at Ulsan will go a long way towards determining their success this season. Ulsan have brought in manager Yoon Jung Hwan from J-League side Sagan Tosu where he was relatively successful, winning promotion from the J-2 and then keeping Sagan Tosu in the top flight. Server Djeperov and Korean international Kim Tae Hwan have been brought in from Seongnam whilst Rim Chang Woo, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 Asian Games final, returns from his loan at Daejeon Citizen. Ulsan will lose defender Lee Yong to military service with Sangju Sangmu. Ulsan take on Seoul in their opening fixture.
Jeonnam started well last season but faded towards the end, just missing out on a top-half finish. This season they have brought in a new manager, former Jeonnam player No Sang Rae, who steps up after being the club’s assistant last season. Versatile winger Choi Hyo Jin has been brought in from Seoul, and former Croatian Under-21 international Mislav Orsic has been loaned from Rijeka to try and give the side a bit more creativity in the final third.
Pohang Steelers
For much of last season, Pohang looked as if they could retain their 2013 title, but they dropped off badly after the split and ended up missing out on the top three. Without the ACL to worry about this season they may be a little bit fresher in the first half of the campaign. After going two seasons without any foreign players, Pohang have brought in three foreigners this season. Former Bolton and Crystal Palace midfielder Andre Moritz has been brought in after a short spell in Mumbai. Serbian forward Lazar Veselinovic has been brought in from Vojvodina where he had a decent spell last season. However Pohang have lost some of their better players this winter with Korean international Lee Myung Joo moving to Al Ain for a whopping $5 million, also leaving Pohang is young talent Hwang Hee Chan who has moved to Red Bull Salzburg.
Seongnam FC
Despite a disappointing time in the league last season, Seongnam managed to win the FA cup and thereby qualify for the ACL. Uzbek captain Server Djeperov left the club for Ulsan but Seongnam have strengthened their squad by bringing in Incheon captain Park Tae Min as well as former West Brom and Korean international midfielder Kim Do Heon from Suwon. On their limited budget it may be difficult for Seongnam to remain competitive in both the ACL and the league this season and could find themselves at the wrong end of the table again this year. They travel to defending champions Jeonbuk for their opening match.
FC Seoul
Seoul started last season poorly and played some dour football but managed to hit some form at the end of the season to sneak into the ACL places. They struggled for goals last season, scoring the lowest number of goals of any of the top seven teams, but were solid at the back. This winter must feel like Déjà vu for Seoul fans as once again key players left the club for China. Kim Ju Young, who played a huge part in their defensive solidity, has left for Shanghai whilst Escudero has moved to Jiangsu Sainty. Seoul’s team once again looks weaker than the previous year with the only notable signing being Lee Seok Hyun from Incheon United. Seoul fans will be hoping that Cha Du-Ri’s evergreen spell continues, he was outstanding last year for both Seoul and the national team, and although he is 34 years old, he may still have a few more years of quality left in him.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
A good end to the season meant that Suwon finished second in the K league and despite rumours of cost cutting, they have kept hold of key players including the K-league’s top scorer, Santos, as well as Jong Tae Se and defender Hong Chul. They have also brought in two more Brazilians, Leo has arrived from Swiss side FC Sion where he was highly thought of. Joining him is Kaio who has signed from Jeonbuk. This gives Suwon an impressive choice of attackers which should worry defenses around the K-League and give them the depth required to compete in the ACL. Suwon are at home to Pohang in what is probably the pick of the opening weekend’s matches.
Ulsan Hyundai
After a bright start, Ulsan fell away last season, finishing a disappointing sixth in the league. They may well have done better if their star striker Kim Shin-Wook had managed more than 20 appearances. The Korean international is linked with moves to Europe and whether or not he stays at Ulsan will go a long way towards determining their success this season. Ulsan have brought in manager Yoon Jung Hwan from J-League side Sagan Tosu where he was relatively successful, winning promotion from the J-2 and then keeping Sagan Tosu in the top flight. Server Djeperov and Korean international Kim Tae Hwan have been brought in from Seongnam whilst Rim Chang Woo, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 Asian Games final, returns from his loan at Daejeon Citizen. Ulsan will lose defender Lee Yong to military service with Sangju Sangmu. Ulsan take on Seoul in their opening fixture.