The 2012 K League season draws near so it’s time for the pre season Vegemite rankings.
Champions
Chunnam Dragons – Last year they were only in 8th place but have since added TWO Australian players in Robbie Cornthwaite (Adelaide) and the ever popular Matt Simon (CCM) to take out 1st place. Not the sexiest combination of players but they bring something new to the league, even if it is served on the tip of a stray elbow.
2nd place
Busan I'Park– Former Adelaide United player Iain Fyfe remains but Bas Van Den Brink is long gone and now at Perth. A fair bit of history with NSL/Aleague to Busan transfers helps them stay in the top 2 (they were 1st last year).
3rd place
Incheon United – The former home of Socceroo Jade North has now added Nathan Burns to their side in what is the most exciting Australian acquisition of the K league season since Home Plus started stocking Tim Tams.
4th Place
Suwon Blue Wings - The team that calls itself ‘True Blue” has now added former Everton Aussie Eddy Bosnar to their line up. I am looking forward to seeing Eddy in action as there was a big call for him to be called up to the Socceroos when he was in good form in Japan.
Suwon still needs to get rid of that American flag on their website though if they want to finish higher, I would even settle for a Union Jack (half marks).
5th place
Soengnam Ilhwa Chunma – The legend that is Sasa is still captain even though some Seongnam fans (including their official English Twitter account) seemed a bit grumpy with his rumored move to Suwon/Seoul that never happened.
6th place
Gyeongnam FC – Home of Socceroo hopeful Luke Devere who had a good season last year and will hopefully kick on in this years K league marathon (40 plus games).
7th place
Jeju United– The Hawaii of Korea is now also the Heart of Korea (**** Seoul) after signing former Melbourne Heart and Socceroo Adrian Madaschi.
So seven teams made the playoffs by actually signing an Aussie player (8 players in all). The rest look set to have a season to forget but a few of them still have their AFC spot to fill and at least one of them is linked with Brisbane’s Matt Jurman.
8th place
Pohang Steelers– Drawn to play against Adelaide in the ACL….again.
9th place
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – Hyundai still sponsor the A league so here is a shout out to our sponsors.
10th place
Ulsan Hyundai – Like Jeonbuk they share a sponsor with the A league proper and this year will be hosting the Brisbane Roar. See you in April Ulsan!
11th place
FC Seoul – Hosted foreigner day they provided free (but awful) beer. I, like most Australian’s enjoy free beer so that alone gets them out of last place.
12th place
Sangju Sangmu Phoenix – The Army team has been embroiled in a major max fixing investigation and it’s apparent bookies and gambling are a curse on that club…. just like they are in Australia. Welcome to 12th place Phoenix.
Relegated: Nothing to write home about for these guys.
Daegu FC
Daejeon Citizen
Gangwon FC
Gwangju FC
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