K League 1 'Bottom' Incheon vs 9th-ranked Daejeon 10 days ago... Incheon's relegation confirmed
K League 1 'Bottom' Incheon vs 9th-ranked Daejeon 10 days ago... Incheon's relegation confirmed
Blog Article
Professional soccer's K League 1 Incheon United is in danger of missing out on the title of “First Division Survivor” this year.
Depending on the outcome of this weekend's K League 1 Round 37, Incheon could be on the “direct train” to the second division, the K League 2.
'Last place' Incheon (36 points) will host ninth-placed Daejeon Hana Citizens (42 points) in the 37th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Incheon Stadium.
Incheon is currently teetering on the edge of relegation to the second division. A loss in Round 37 would send them straight down to the second division.
If Incheon loses to Daejeon and 11th-ranked Jeonbuk (38 points) beats 10th-ranked Daegu FC (40 points) on the same day, Incheon will suffer its first relegation since its inception regardless of the outcome of the final match of Round 38.
In this scenario, Jeju United would join Daejeon and Gwangju (45 points) in securing their K League 1 status for next season.
In addition, if Incheon draws with Daejeon and Jeonbuk beats Daegu in round 37, Incheon will avoid the drop to the second division.
Incheon is so far behind Daegu on goal difference that they will have to accept relegation.
There is also a miracle scenario in which Incheon can continue its 'survivalist instinct'.
In round 37, 파워볼사이트 Incheon wins against Daejeon and Jeonbuk and Daegu draw.
If Incheon defeats Daegu in the final match of Round 38, Jeju beats Daejeon, and Gwangju also defeats Jeonbuk, Incheon and Daejeon would be tied at 42 points.
With 34 goals for Incheon and 39 goals for Daejeon through Round 36, Incheon could move up to ninth place and complete a dramatic “stay in the first division” if Daejeon wins two straight games with maximum points while Incheon loses two straight games and Daegu and Jeonbuk tie for first place.
However, the chances of this happening are extremely low.
The most realistic scenario for Incheon is to 'escape the bottom' in Round 37 and then play a promotion playoff (PO) in the final round of Round 38 to avoid direct relegation.
Heading into Daejeon and Round 37, Incheon is ready to go all out as always.
Incheon can take solace in the fact that they have a 2-1 head-to-head record against Daejeon this season (2-0 W, 1-0 D, 1-2 L).
While Mugosa's toe is Incheon's most reliable weapon with 15 goals this season, the lack of 'attacking resources' to support him is their biggest weakness. Gerso is second on the team with four goals (four assists).
The fact that Daejeon is unbeaten in its last three matches (2 wins, 1 draw) is also a burden for Incheon.
The matchup between 11th-ranked Jeonbuk and 10th-ranked Daegu is just as intriguing as Incheon-Daejeon.
The fact that Jeonbuk, a “traditional powerhouse” with the most K League 1 titles (nine), has fallen to 11th place in its worst season and is facing relegation is shocking to fans.
The only way for Jeonbuk to avoid the worst possible relegation outcome is to win both of their remaining two games this season and wait and see what happens to other teams.
The best way for Jeonbuk to get out of the relegation zone is to win back-to-back matches against Daegu in Round 37 and Gwangju in Round 38, and then have ninth-ranked Daejeon lose two in a row.