Champions Ulsan HD lose for 5th time in 12 games as Daejeon build on their lead

K League R10 Round Up is here with the champions faltering again and Daejeon moving five points clear at the top.

Teammates celebrate with Oberdan - Photo Courtesy of Pohang Steelers Instagram

With the World Club Cup on the horizon, K League clubs may be pondering the meaning behind their sole representative in the ACLE, Gwangju FC’s 7-0 pounding at the hands of Al Hilal in the quarter-final stage this past weekend. Current K League champions Ulsan HD will face the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns, and Fluminense come June, while their form in the league continues to raise question marks over manager Kim Pan-gon’s tenure. A complete defeat away to Gimcheon Sangmu marked the first time they’ve lost to the army side since 2017, adding to last week’s loss to Gangwon FC — their first defeat to them in 13 years. The army team, of course, changes year by year given the nature of their players’ 18-month loan deals to complete military service, but the symbolism remains — Ulsan HD are struggling.

Their Hyundai ‘brothers’ Jeonbuk are sitting in a lofty second place, with the fanbase dreaming of a return to title contention. However, we’ll have to wait and see, as their victory this weekend, while impressive, was quite fortunate — they narrowly beat Suwon FC, who had a decent share of the game.

Meanwhile, FC Anyang continue their anal-retentive pattern of win-loss sequences, now reading LWLWLWLW after overcoming Jeju SK, who remain winless on the road this season. Pohang Steelers eked out a win over an out-of-form FC Seoul, as goalscoring remains the capital team’s major weakness.

Daejeon were able to defeat 10-man Gangwon FC to move into a 5-point lead at top as Joo Min-kyu increased his tally to eight for the season with his 100th K League goal.

From SofaScore

Goal of the Round