WEEKEND PICKS

BASEBALL

Korea Baseball Organization

· Nexen Heroes at LG Twins

· 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Seoul

Two Seoul-based teams will meet head-to-head during the third weekend of May in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).

The Nexen Heroes, settled in the western side of Seoul, will travel across the city to take on the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

The Heroes at the moment have the upper hand over the Twins. The last time the two teams clashed in late April the Heroes topped the series by 2-1.

For the Twins, this weekend’s matchup is an opportunity to avenge the last series. The Twins are at the moment on a steady rise, coming out of their struggle earlier in the season.

The two teams will play at the same venue at 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

FOOTBALL

K-League Classic

· Ulsan Hyundai FC at Suwon Samsung Bluewings

· 5 p.m. Saturday, Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, Gyeonggi

No.7 Suwon Samsung Bluewings clash against No.8 Ulsan Hyundai FC on Saturday in the 11th round of K-League Classic.

Suwon and Ulsan are tied in terms of points earned. Although Ulsan leads Suwon in wins, its goal drought forced the team to drop below Suwon in the K-League Classic standings. At the moment, Suwon’s bagged two wins, six draws and two losses with 14 goals scored while Ulsan has grabbed three wins, three draws and four losses with a meager seven goals.

Always considered elite teams in the K-League, the struggles of Ulsan and Suwon are by no means expected. Suwon’s faltering season is especially surprising given that they finished the last season at second in the league.

For Ulsan, the former winner of the Asian Champions League, to step up a notch in their game and regain its glory, its national team forward Lee Jeong-hyup must pick up his game.

· Suwon FC at Pohang Steelers

· 2 p.m. Sunday, Pohang Steel Yard, Pohang, Gyeongsang

Can Pohang finally show the “Steelers’ way” this week?

April was a brutal month for the former elite team of Korean football, losing some key players to injuries and getting knocked out of the Asian Champions League during the group stage.

The void in the middle is especially troublesome for the Steelers, although Oh Chang-hyeon and Jo Soo-chul are expected to return from their injuries to fill the midfield soon.

The Steelers crushed the top ranking FC Seoul 3-1 two weeks ago. However, it couldn’t repeat the win last week during the 10th round of K-League match against Ulsan Hyundai FC.

Obviously, Pohang hasn’t been able to show the club’s fans the “Steelers’ way,” a phrase created in 2009 to show the team’s dedication to show excitement and drama in the pitch.

Now playing newly promoted Suwon FC, Pohang hopes it can finally live up to the fans’ expectations and show them the “Steelers’ way.”