South Korea’s K League resumed its first matchday on Saturday, attracting viewers from all over the world.
All three K League 1 and two K League 2 matches were broadcasted live, strictly following the new guidelines that allow playing while preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Ulsan Hyundai v Sangju Sangmu
Ulsan Hyundai hosted Sangju Sangmu for their first match of the season. Ulsan is eyeing trophies in this term, so they were looking for a strong start. On the other hand, Sangmu, the army club, was forced to field only five out of seven spots on the bench due to a recent car accident that the clubs’s bus was involved on the way to COVID-19 check-ups. which caused the injury of six u-22 players.
Ulsan scored first. Junior Negrao has beaten the goalkeeper and comfortably put it back in the 7th minute after receiving Lee Chung-young’s through the pass. Before the half time mark, the Brazilian extended the lead with a penalty which Kim In-seong earned after he was fouled within the box by Bae Jae-woo. 2-0 in half time.
The Horang-i dominated the second half as well, and it was Junior Negrao again who made the difference in the 51st minute, this time with a brilliant cross. Lee Sang-heon was at the target, controlled with his right foot, deceived a defender, and struck the ball in. 3-0 Ulsan.
Yoon Bit-garam’s excellent long-range shot in the 75th minute was the icing on the cake. The familiar ‘Farewell’ chant that Ulsan supporters sing at the last minute when they are winning was played in the stadium stereo system as if there were actually fans in singing it from the stand. 4-0 to Ulsan full time.
Incheon United v Daegu FC
It was the match that all football fans in Montenegro would’ve kept an eye on, since each team has a striker from the Balkan country: Dejan Damjanovic (Daegu) and Stefan Mugosa (Incheon). Both have represented Montenegro at full international level and carved their names in the history of K League. The two have started from the bench and came in as substitutes in the second half.
Although the game ended in a goalless draw, other non-football factors entertained fans. First, there was booing coming out from the speaker. Jeonbuk and Ulsan filled the stadium up with chants too, but there was no booing. Incheon became the first team to really ‘hiss’ the opponent.
Another thing that filled the stadium with noise was shouts from Daegu FC goalkeeper Choi Young-eun. Whenever Daegu defenders are shifting to attacking phase, he shouted ‘move up’ out numerous times. It was even louder than virtual supporters coming out of the amplifier.
Gwangju FC v Seongnam FC
Gwangju FC finally returned to K League 1, after having an outstanding 2019 season in the second tier. Similar to the Incheon vs Daegu matchup, this game consisted of two Uzbek internationals. Rustam Ashurmatov was in charge of Gwangju’s defence while Jalsur Iskanderov made Seongnam’s starting XI.
The Magpies were there to remind Gwangju how tough the first tier is. A quick brace from Yang Dong-hyun was enough for Seongnam to earn three points. Yang’s primary goal was scored in the 4th minute by a header which was followed by the cross his fellow Avispa Fukuoka teammate Yoo In-soo swerved in. The second goal in the 12th minute proved how skilled this 34-year-old striker is. Comfortably maintained the possession in the penalty box, tricked the defender, and put it back in the net.
Gwangju tried to get a goal but both Felipe and Marco Urena, the Costa Rican international, couldn’t find the target. The legendary midfielder Kim Nam-il comfortably grabbed his first win as a head coach,
Notable Matches in K League 2:
Jeju United 1-1 Seoul E Land
Suwon FC 1-2 Daejeon Hana Citizen
