By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Seongnam Chunma scored a 1-0 upset road victory over Pohang Steelers on a rainy day at the Steelyard, Sunday.
The home fans, drenched with rain throughout the match, could only watch as their team had dominated the play, especially in the dying moments, but simply couldn't find the net.
Chunma import Mauricio Molina scored the game's only goal in the dying moments of the first half, giving Seongnam all it would need to take the latest step forward on its arduous playoff journey.
The Chunma will advance to the K-League final to face first-place Jeonbuk Motors in a two-leg series which begins Wednesday.
It was an unlikely victory, as Pohang had not lost at the Steelyard in 24 games, posting a record of 15 wins and nine draws.
Pohang's offense pushed hard right from the opening, trying to put Seongnam back on its heels. They took several shots and headers but most were off target.
Radoncic Dzenan, Seongnam's other foreign player, headed a cross from Molina toward the net but it just missed the left goal post in the 13th minute.
Pohang replied shortly after as Kim Jae-sung hit forward No Byung-jun with a pass, which No controlled in the box before rifling it towards the corner but Seongnam goalie Jung Sung-ryung, who was outstanding throughout the game, came up with the save.
Pohang had several more chances in the first half to open the scoring but a well-organized group of Chunma defenders, as well as Jung, kept the door tightly shut.
Pohang continued to surge with a strong attack but late in the first half, Radoncic was fouled just in front of the 18-yard box, which resulted in a free kick for Molina.
Molina's kick from the left side went over the Pohang wall and into the top left corner of the net. Chunma goalie Shin Haw-yong got a finger or two on the ball but couldn't stop it from entering the net.
Seongnam manager Shin Tae-yong watched the game from the stands and communicated to his side through a walkie-talkie. He was banned from the sidelines after being ejected in the first round playoff match against Incheon United. But he called on his boys to tighten up defensively.
Chunma, however, still did manage a few chances to increase their lead. Cho Dong-geon's pass got through Pohang's defenders and found Molina, who moved in one-on-one with the goalkeeper before firing a low shot towards the left corner which Shin deflected enough for it to hit the cross bar and stay out.
With their season on the line, Pohang got a huge boost when Seongnam defender Jang Hack-young was given a red card for arguing with the referee in the 72nd minute, putting his side down to 10 men.
Pohang pushed hard for the equalizer in the last 20 minutes, including five minutes of extra time and generated chances from both sides of the field, firing shot after shot toward the Seongnam net.
Seongnam just stayed back and filled the box with bodies and gave no room for the Pohang players to move.
Seongnam will host Wednesday's first leg before traveling to Jeonju for the away leg Sunday.