Paju Citizen took three points from their Regular Season 22 clash against Songnam, winning 2:1 on Sunday. The result keeps the hosts in 11th place with 24 points after 24 games, while Songnam remain 10th on 27 points from 22 matches. By then the visitors had already played fewer fixtures, but the gap in the table stayed the same.
The opening goal came early. Lee Jeong-Bin converted a penalty in the 19th minute, and the home side held their nerve. Things came to a head after the break when Lee Jea-Ho struck twice in quick succession. He found the net in the 49th minute and again in the 57th, turning a narrow advantage into a comfortable lead. Songnam had their chances, but the shots went begging.
Paju registered 91 attacks to Songnam's 90, though possession favoured the visitors at 57 to 43. The home side were more clinical with their shooting — two shots on target from four attempts, while Songnam managed only two on target from eight. Paju also won more corners, seven to five, and took more throw-ins. The statistics tell you who controlled the tempo, but not who decided the match.
There were two yellow cards, one to Venicio in the 67th minute and another unnamed booking in the 69th. Substitutions began in the 46th minute and came thick and fast, with seven changes across the full time. Songnam exhausted their options trying to find a way back, but Paju weathered the storm and saw it out.
For Paju, the win extends a run of mixed results, following a 0:1 defeat to Suwon and a 2:1 victory over Jeonnam Dragons. Songnam's loss comes after three wins from their last five, including a 3:2 triumph against Cheonan. The result keeps both sides within touching distance of each other in the standings, though Songnam's superior points total gives them a cushion of three. That gap could shrink if Paju maintain this form, or widen if the visitors find their rhythm.