Today was the first day of K League’s second matchday, and the first matchday of K3 and K4 League, which are third and fourth tier of South Korean football system respectively.
In the South Korean football reality, there is promotion and relegation structure between first & second, but the third & fourth tier are on a different path, with no link between the second and third-tier.
Sangju Sangmu v Gangwon FC 2-0
Sangju Sangmu hosted Gangwon FC for their first home game of the season. Sangju were still unable to field five u22 players who are out for six weeks since the car accident that was reported here last week. Gangwon, meanwhile, needed another victory to keep their winning streak alive.
Surprisingly, Sangju got a penalty in the 20th minute after Kang Sang-woo was fouled by Lim Chae-min in the box. Kang took the penalty kick himself and converted easily. 1-0 at halftime, as the first half was mostly dominated by Sangju.
Gangwon tried to change the atmosphere, with the ‘Super Sub’ Kim Ji-hyun, who scored an equaliser against FC Seoul in the last match. His right-footed shot in the 53rd minute which hit the post was one of the best chances for Gangwon, but it wasn’t their day. Sangju has put the nail on the coffin in the 78th minute with Moon Seon-min’s solo counterattack following Han Seok-jong’s excellent pass. The former Incheon United duo doubled their new team’s lead.
Sangju netted again in the 87th minute through another ex-Incheon player, Jin Sung-wook’, but it was called offside. There was no miracle for Gangwon FC and the match concluded in a 2-0 result for the South Korean Army team.
Daegu FC v Pohang Steelers 1-1
The Battle of Yeongnam took place at DGB Daegu Bank Park. Australian outfit Brandon O’Neil made a debut for Steelers, and it was Daegu midfielder Lee Jin-hyun’s first encounter against his former club.
Steelers were the first to open the scoreline just two minutes before the half time mark. Song Min-kyu provided a cheeky pass to Aleksandar Palocevic who then finished it with a volley at first touch.
Daegu, however, managed to equalise in the 66th minute. South Korean u22 international Kim Dae-won provided a decent cross right to Edgar da Silva, and the Brazilian striker cleverly and comfortably headed it in.
Edgar almost gave Daegu a lead before the final whistle with a curled shot with his right foot, but it hit the post. Pohang’s fans could breathe in relief. The match finished one-all, with both teams shared a point. Daegu is still winless after two games, as both of their matches ended in a draw, while Pohang kept their unbeaten run and their dream to finish one place higher than 2019, and secure an AFC Champions League spot.
Busan IPark v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-2
Reigning champions Jeonbuk Hyundai and newly promoted Busan IPark met at Busan Gudeok Stadium, one of the oldest stadiums in South Korea. Jeonbuk grabbed a 1-0 victory in the official season opener against Suwon Samsung Bluewings, but their performance was below expectations. Busan, meanwhile, was aiming to catch the first win of the season at their base.
Busan’s hope vanished in the 16th minute when Jeonbuk scored from a free-kick. Former Augsburg defender Hong Jeong-ho headed Son Jun-ho’s kick in. Jeonbuk almost doubled their lead in the 29th minute, but Cho Kyu-sung’s effort struck off the post.
After the half time mark, Busan got their mindset back and began to press Jeonbuk, with new substitute Romulo. Their effort has come to fruition in the 62nd-minute mark via a penalty. Talented winger Lee Dong-jun was tripped inside the box by Kim Jin-su. The referee provided a VAR check and kept his initial decision. Romulo stepped in and put it back in the net. 1-1.
For the remainder of the match, it was mostly a stalemate. The tempo was high, and both teams went back and forth to get the lead. But it was the champions who smiled at the very last minute. South African international Lars Veldwijk received Han Kyo-won’s header pass and put it in the goal from a tight angle.
Thanks to Veldwijk’s last-minute winner, Jeonbuk got three points in their bag with a 2-1 victory, despite another poor performance. The Motors are the only club in K League 1 to win all their matches. Busan, on the other hand, suffered another defeat.
K League 2 Results
Ansan Greeners 0-2 Suwon FC
Jeonnam Dragons 1-0 Jeju United
Bucheon FC 1995 2-1 FC Anyang
