SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Korea Bizwire) — Gyeongnam FC eliminated Bucheon FC 1995 in a playoff match in South Korean football’s second division Wednesday, staying alive in their bid to earn a promotion to the top competition next year.
The two clubs had a goalless draw in the first playoff match in the K League 2 at Changwon Football Center in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. And by virtue of finishing a spot ahead of Bucheon in the regular season in fourth place, Gyeongnam were declared the winner.
Gyeongnam will next face Gimpo FC, third-ranked club in the K League 2, in the second playoff match at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at Gimpo Solteo Football Field in Gimpo, just west of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province.
Neither Gyeongnam nor Bucheon recorded a shot on target in the first half. Needing only a draw to advance, Gyeongnam appeared happy to lock things down in their own end and frustrate Bucheon’s forays into the box.
Gyeongnam goalkeeper Goh Dong-min stood tall to keep the match tied in the final stretch. He made his biggest save on a free kick taken by Nilson Junior on 88 minutes. Then during a mad scramble in the box a couple of minutes later, Goh made a desperate save with his right shoulder while he was already down on the field.
The winner of the Gimpo-Gyeongnam match will meet the 10th-ranked team from the K League 1 in one of two promotion-relegation playoff series. The two legs of this series are scheduled for next Wednesday and then Dec. 9.
The other promotion-relegation playoff series will pit the 11th-ranked team from the K League 1 against Busan IPark, No. 2 seed from the K League 2. Their two legs are also set for next Wednesday and Dec. 9.
Gimcheon Sangmu FC received a direct promotion to the K League 1 after winning the K League 2 title Sunday. The 12th-ranked, and thus the worst, team in the K League 1 will be automatically relegated to the K League 2.
With one final match remaining Saturday, three clubs have a chance to finish dead last in the K League 1: Gangwon FC, Suwon FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
(Yonhap)