Jeju secure vital win to move up to eighth

Jeju United 1-0 Daejeon Citizen

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

A 30th minute goal from "Happy Wing" Kim Young-Shin was enough to help Jeju to their first league victory in seven attempts and move them in to eighth position in the K-League table. The victory means that whatever happens next week (Jeju do not have a game in round 11) the islanders will be no further than 5 points off a play off position.

With both sides having struggled of late the game started fairly openly, with Jeju and Daejeon both trying to gain an early advantage. Ricardo looked particularly threatening on the left flank, causing the visitor's defence problems with his dribbling and quick runs.

The only goal of the game came 30 minutes in when Kim Young-Shin fired home a shot low in to the corner of the net from 25 yards, leaving veteran Daejeon goalkeeper Choi Eun-Sung no chance. It was a superb goal in an otherwise lacklustre opening 45 minutes.

Jeju sat back for the rest of the half and despite having superior possession, Daejeon were otherwise unable to create any clear cut opportunities.

The second half continued similarly with Daejeon trying to find a way in to the Jeju goal. The visitors thought they had equalised on 60 minutes when confusion in the Jeju box led to the ball being head home. The linesman fortunately raised his flag for offside, a decision which Daejeon appear rightful to have been aggreived by.

The decision seemed to knock Daejeon's confidence and from then on in they never looked like equalising. In the final fifteen minutes the home side created several opportunities which Ricardo, Oveira and Shim Young-Sung were unable to convert.

Jeju deserved their victory however it is clear that Arthur Bernardes has a lot of work to do if he is to make his side serious contenders in the K-League this season. The side can gain confidence from the ever improving performance of Oveira, who may turn out to be a good signing for the club.

Next up is Jeonbuk on May 27th in the Peace Cup, a match in which Jeju will be anxious to gain revenge for their embarrassing 5-0 defeat at the start of the month.