Incheon’s Push for Points and Goals | OneFootball

With seven games remaining in the regular season, the next three matches could determine how likely it is that Incheon will face a relegation play-off at the end of the year. This weekend, Incheon travel to Daejeon Hana Citizen for the first of three crucial six-pointers for the Blue-Black.

AS IT STANDS

Incheon are currently 9th in the table with 28 points. Their next three games see them play the three teams directly below them: Daejeon Hana Citizen, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, and Daegu. The first of these make-or-break matches is a trip to Daejeon Hana. In the previous two encounters between the teams this year, Incheon have secured two wins - one at home and one away. However, during the transfer window, Daejeon significantly strengthened their squad, including the signings of several strong players from teams around them. Notable signings include striker Cheon Seonghoon from Incheon, defender Kim Moonhwan from Qatari side Al-Duhail SC, Ulsan's Kelvin and Daegu midfielder Victor Bobsin. Conversely, Incheon saw no incoming players despite a season-long struggle for goals.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Incheon are currently unbeaten against Daejeon in 10 games, a streak that began back in 2013. They have lost only once in 18 meetings overall. Incheon have won the last four encounters between the teams, including a 1-0 victory in May, which followed the now-infamous water bottle incident. Since Daejeon's recent promotion from K League 2, the teams have faced each other five times, with Daejeon only avoiding defeat in the first meeting of 2023, which ended 3-3. Since then, Incheon have won four consecutive matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just once.

TEAM NEWS

Incheon were already dealing with multiple injury problems and have now lost Delbridge to a hamstring injury picked up last weekend. He is expected to be out for at least six weeks. Kim Dohyeok and Park Seungho returned in the last game following lengthy layoffs, and while Gerso is close to returning, this weekend might be too soon. The upcoming game is likely to be close, presenting a good opportunity for Daejeon to pull within a point of the visitors and move out of the play-off places.

Incheon had struggled for form before Saturday night's win, while Daejeon have a win and three draws in their last six outings, including a victory away at Suwon FC over the weekend. That win, coupled with Jeonbuk's defeat at home to Gwangju, means Daejeon moved up to tenth and are now within touching distance of Incheon.

A CHANGE IN STYLE

Last Saturday night’s game against Jeju was manager Choi Younggeun's first in charge of Incheon. The result was a change in tactics and style, a much-improved performance, and a winning goal scored in injury time by the mercurial Stefan Mugosa. Fans will hope that this win acts as a catalyst for Incheon to finally accumulate substantial points and move away from the bottom of the table. The match saw Incheon line up with four at the back, a tactic that worked well and provided the team with a greater sense of stability. Going forward, the midfielders looked to attack more than they had in previous games, which led to more chances being created. While Jeju had a couple of opportunities to score, Incheon generally controlled the game and could have won by a larger margin.

They will need to continue this strategy if they are to climb up the table. The team performs better when taking the game to others rather than sitting back. For too long, Incheon have been content to hold the ball without doing much with it. This season, this approach has seen them punished repeatedly.

THE RUN-DOWN

Saturday will see a match between two teams at the wrong end of the table. Until recently, Daejeon looked as though they might get cut off, but a few good results in a short period of time have lifted them and dragged others into the fight. For Incheon, they will need similar results in the next few weeks; otherwise, problems will be on the horizon. It's not all doom and gloom for Incheon yet, but squeaky bum time is well and truly here.