By Ahn Young-jun = Professional soccer K League 1 is entering the second half of the season after a short break. From the first game of the resumption, there will be interesting matches such as a head-to-head match between the second and third place teams and a derby between two Suwon teams in a ‘survival race’.
On the 27th, K League 1 hosted the K League All-Star Game between Team K League and Atletico Madrid (Spain) through the Coupang Players League, and took a two-week break for the All-Star Break before and after the game.
After taking a breather from the hectic summer schedule, K League 1 will resume on the 4th with exciting matchups, and will enter the second half of the race with more intense competition.
From the first game of the resumption, there are many eye-catching matches. At 7:30 p.m. on April 4, the league’s second-place Pohang Steelers (44 points) and third-place FC Seoul (37 points) will face off at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
With leaders Ulsan Hyundai (56 points) continuing to dominate, Seoul can close the gap to four points with a win over Pohang in this match, while Pohang can extend their lead to 10 points with a win.
Pohang, who were on a two-game winning streak before the break, remain a threat despite a number of injuries to key players.
With a thirst for a frontline striker after the departure of Hwang Eui-Jo (Nottingham), Seoul will turn to Bjorn Johnson, a lanky striker they brought in during the summer transfer window.
Later in the day, promotion hopefuls Gwangju FC take on Daejeon Hana Citizens at the Gwangju Football Stadium.
Gwangju’s Lee Sun-min, who scored a thrilling goal in a Team K League match, and Daejeon’s Bae Joon-ho, who was impressed by Atletico Madrid, will enter the league with more confidence.
The ‘Suwon Derby’ between Suwon Samsung and Suwon FC will take place at Suwon World Cup Stadium on May 5 at 7pm.
With only two points separating 11th-place Suwon (18) and 10th-place Suwon FC (20), this match could change the standings. It’s a must-win game for both teams as they look to climb up to ninth place, which is the automatic qualification line.
Suwon suffered a major setback at one point, falling to the bottom of the table, but they’ve been on a roll lately with a five-match unbeaten streak (2 wins, 3 draws). Their momentum is second to none.
Suwon FC has conceded the most goals (51) in the combined K League 1 and 2 this season, including a 2-7 loss to Seoul on July 12.
With Paju NFC overhauling its organization during the All-Star break, it will be important to see a different look in the first game of the second half.
On the same day, Daegu FC and Ulsan Hyundai will meet at 7:30 p.m. at Daegu DGB Park.
Ulsan manager Hong Myung-bo and Daegu manager Choi Won-kwon, who collaborated on dramatic upsets as manager and head coach, respectively, in Team K League, will meet as foes just a week later for a battle of wits.
On the 6th, Jeonbuk Hyundai and Incheon United will face off at Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 7pm.
Jeonbuk will be more fatigued than the other K League 1 teams, having played a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) three days earlier, but the confidence gained from playing against a European powerhouse is a huge asset.
Incheon’s previous pace was good enough to make the break a disappointment. They went on a three-game winning streak, taking down Ulsan, Daejeon, and Seoul. They also won their 20th anniversary match against Lehman (Hong Kong) 1-0 during the break.
It’s important to keep that momentum going in the return leg, and it’s encouraging to see goalkeeper Mugosa back in the team for the full 45 minutes against Lehman.
The two teams will also meet in the FA Cup quarterfinals at the same venue on September 9, three days after this match.카지노사이트
On the 6th, Jeju United will take on Gangwon FC at Jeju World Cup Stadium at 7:30pm.
With three draws and six losses in nine league games, Jeju has slipped to ninth place (30 points). They need to rebound against last-place Gangwon or risk falling into the relegation zone.
Bottom-placed Gangwon (16 points) are resting their hopes on the toes of newcomers Gabriel-Wellington “Brazilian Duo” after the departure of Yang Hyun-joon to Celtic (Scotland).