Jeju become 6th team to join upper 'split'

Jeju United players celebrate after clinching a 3-2 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the Jeju World Cup Stadium, Sunday. / Yonhap

By Nam Hyun-woo

“Dramatic” seems to be just the right word to describe Jeju United’s football match against the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors that gave them the last berth in the top six team group of the K-League Classic, Sunday.

Jeju United clinched a 3-2 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Jeju World Cup Stadium in the 33rd and final round before the 12-team league splits into the top six and bottom six groups. As Incheon United, who initially were No. 6 with 45 points, suffered a loss at the same time, Jeju added 3 points to reach 46 and joined the upper split to vie for a spot in the Asian Champions League in the five rounds remaining.

While Jeju will compete with Jeonbuk, Suwon Samsung, Pohang Steelers and Seongnam FC, Incheon will join the bottom split with Jeonnam Dragons, Ulsan Hyundai FC, Gwangju United and Busan IPark to engage in battles to evade relegation.

There were two options for Jeju to drag down Incheon. First was winning the 33rd match and hoping for Seongnam FC to beat Incheon. Second was winning the round in a margin larger than three goals and waiting for Incheon to lose or draw.

The odds were against Jeju because it was to face K-League No. 1 favorite Jeonbuk Hyundai. The formidable giants from North Jeolla Province had already piled up 68 points _ 8 points clear of No. 2 Suwon as of Sunday night _ and visited Jeju Island looking for some points to confirm their regular season win early. In their two previous clashes this season, Jeonbuk prevailed, collecting six points.

Jeju coach Jo Sung-hwan needed a tactic to overthrow expectations leaning on Jeonbuk and placed sophomore wing-back Kim Sang-won in the left wing position to add more dynamics to his squad. And Kim answered the call by hitting a brace in a 16-minute spell. The Jeju native netted his first with a thunderous left-footed strike from the left flank then volleyed a Lopes cross into the goal 15 minutes later.

At the same time in Tancheon, Incheon, who were holding on to a spot in the top six with just a point, was barricading their goal mouth from Seongnam’s rush and holding on to a scoreless tie.

Jeju seemed to be close to the upper group spot, but Jeonbuk’s veteran forward Lee Keun-ho did not let Jeju win easily, scoring two goals in the 14th and 25th minutes of the second half.

Seongnam’s prolific forward Hwang Ui-jo scored the only goal of the Incheon game eight minutes before the final whistle blew. With all conditions ready, Jeju needed just one goal and coach Jo put every possible attacking asset on the field.

In the 43rd minute, Caranga possessed the ball in the center circle to provide a desperate pass to Lopes. Lopes dribbled down the center field and displayed a precise and calm right-foot finish to score the game’s decider.

After finishing the neck-and-neck showdown, Jo’s men had to wait for the result of the Incheon-Seongnam game, which ended three minutes later.

“The three minutes were so long,” Jo told Sports Seoul newspaper after the game. “We came a long way but I always believed that the luck will not abandon us. So I did not look at my phone and just waited. This is the moment when I am thrilled to be coaching.”

At Gwangju World Cup Stadium, Suwon’s Yeom Ki-hun became the K-League’s all-time assist leader after making three during his side’s 4-2 win against Gwangju FC. Yeom shattered the previous record of 68 assists by Shin Tae-yong, who now coaches Olympic football team, by making Santos’ goal in the 18th minute in the first half, and then extended it in the second half, recording his 70th for Yang Sang-min and 71st for Santos again.