Depleted Jeju thrashed by Jeonbuk

Jeju United 0-5 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Highlights video: www.jeju-utd.com (Internet Explorer only)

Coach Arthur Bernardes yesterday watched on helplessly as his Jeju side went down 5-0 at home to Jeonbuk.

With major injury problems in defence, Jeju simply couldn't cope with the attacking power of the visitors, who have now scored a total of 18 goals in seven games and find themselves top of the K-League.

In truth the score could have been much higher with Jeonbuk hitting the post and having a first half penalty saved by goalkeeper Kim Song-Min. Jeju created very little throughout and appeared to completely give up once the second goal went in.

The rout started on 29 minutes when Luiz Enrique took advantage of poor defending by Cho Yong-Hyung to slot home from 12 yards.

The first of four second half goals came on 63 minutes courtesy of a superb Lee Dong-Guk header from an Eninho cross. The angle looked too tight for a chance on goal but the striker managed to convert.

At this point Jeju heads went down and the team seemed to just stop playing. On 74 minutes Lee Dong-Guk got his second of the game with a sweet strike from the edge of the area. The Jeju defence failed to close him down or block the shot. And just a minute later three became four as Choi Tae-Uk was played through on goal with no defender in sight.

Lee Dong-Guk completed his hat trick on 87 minutes when he was left unmarked in the penalty area to volley home another Eninho cross.

It was an embarrassing afternoon for Jeju who played infront of an official attendance of over 21,000. The team simply can't cope in the K-League with so many injuries and are crying out for the defensive leadership of Kang Min-Su. Jeju have now lost four consecutive K-League games and find themselves in 12th place, albeit just three points off the play-off positions.

Things won't get any easier for the islanders next weekend as they face a tricky trip to Pohang Steelers. There are two winnable cup games coming up though with Jeju facing Gyeongnam in the Peace Cup on Tuesday afternoon and then Gangneung City a week on Wednesday in the FA Cup. Wins from these games may bring back some confidence to the Jeju side.