First K League 1 wins for FC Anyang and Gus Poyet on thrilling opening weekend
K League R1 - Review is back for 2025 as we recap the opening round.
The K League returned to action with the start of the 2025 season this past weekend, bringing plenty of storylines and late winners to whet our appetites for the campaign ahead. The league kicked off with a minute’s silence in memory of 7-year-old elementary school student and Daejeon Hana Citizen fan, Kim Ha-neul, who tragically passed away recently.
In the early kickoff on opening day, Daejeon players rewarded their noisy traveling support with a 3-0 win over Pohang Steelers—their first victory against Pohang since 2010. In the later kickoffs, the much-fancied FC Seoul got off to a poor start with a 2-0 loss at the newly branded Jeju SK, while Gwangju FC and Suwon FC played out the first goalless draw of the season, sharing the spoils.
On Sunday, the league truly came to life with two dramatic turnarounds, as Jeonbuk and Daegu both secured 2-1 wins against Gimcheon Sangmu and Gangwon FC, respectively. However, the story of the weekend has to be FC Anyang’s late winner at the home of reigning champions Ulsan HD in their first-ever K1 appearance—sending some fans into tears.
Plenty of drama on matchweek one, with 37 more to go!
Goal of the Round
In his tenth K League season, Daegu FC legend Cesinha shows no signs of slowing down, delivering a phenomenal display of control and a stunning strike in added time to secure the opening-game victory for the home side. I’ve never seen a goal scored after controlling the ball like that—definitely worth another watch!
Player of the Round
Joo Min-kyu (Daejeon Hana Citizen) faced tough competition for this award this weekend, with stellar performances from Cesinha, Lee Dong-gyeong, and Park Jin-seop. However, the two-time K League top goalscorer showed all of his experience in his first game for the Citizens.
Joo grabbed two late goals to secure the win for Daejeon—the first showcasing his predatory instincts as the ball fell kindly to him in the six-yard box. His second was a beautifully guided first-time finish, completing the rout on the counterattack after excellent work from Jeong Jae-hee.
Match of the Round
Ulsan HD 0-1 FC Anyang
(1.14 Xg vs 0.98 Xg)
The K1 champions vs. K2 champions clash, in FC Anyang’s first-ever K1 match, was expected to be a kind opening-day fixture for Ulsan—but it turned into a disaster, coming just four days after their elimination from the ACLE.
FC Anyang played on the counterattack, starting the game well when Mota tested stand-in goalkeeper Moon Jung-in with a header at the back post (more on that later). Ulsan HD controlled much of the game afterward, with Kim Da-sol pulling off some key saves in the FC Anyang goal, veteran Kim Jeong-hyun working tirelessly in midfield, and debutant Thomas Kotte playing his part in defense.
As the match reached its climax, both sides pushed forward, with players giving everything—evidenced by one even vomiting on the pitch (I won’t name names). Ulsan HD’s Yago struck the post with a header, but as the game went into injury time, FC Anyang’s Brazilian Yago picked up a pass from Matheus on the left, before the winger picked out Mota at the back post. Mota’s header completed the Brazilian triangle and sent the away fans into raptures.
It’s also worth mentioning that Ulsan HD were the only team this round to sub off a young player in the first half to exploit a loophole in the U22 rule—so a last-minute defeat feels like karma.
MOM Kim Jeong-hyun (FC Anyang)
Next up Ulsan HD have a meaningless ACLE game midweek vs Shandong and then face Daejeon away on Sunday. FC Anyang have the derby against FC Seoul, be sure to tune in to that!
Jeju SK 2-0 FC Seoul
(0.63 Xg vs 0.43 Xg)
FC Seoul was widely tipped to mount a serious title challenge this season, but they showed none of those credentials in the opening fixture. Jeju SK (formerly Jeju United) maintained their strong home form from last season with an impressive victory, as two debutants got on the scoresheet.
Jeju SK’s 19-year-old Kim Jun-ha, making a mockery of teams that sub off their U22 players, opened the scoring with a well-placed left-footed drive from the edge of the area into the bottom corner. The Soongsil University graduate gave former national team left-back Kim Jin-su a tough time, winning possession three times in the opponent’s half, completing 19 of his 20 passes, recording one successful dribble, and playing 74 minutes.
The away side started the second half poorly and soon found themselves two behind when Lee Gun-hee placed a free header beyond the reach of Kang Hyun-moo in the FC Seoul goal, following excellent buildup play from Nam Tae-hee. FC Seoul struggled to create in the final third, highlighting their urgent need for an additional center-forward before the transfer window closes in March.
MOM Nam Tae-hee (Jeju SK)
Next up FC Seoul have that derby with FC Anyang, while Jeju aim for back-to-back home wins with a game against Gimcheon Sangmu.
Pohang Steelers 0-3 Daejeon Hana Citizen
(2.26 Xg vs 1.93 Xg)
Things are not going well on the East Coast for Ulsan HD and their local rivals, Pohang Steelers. Pohang, coming off a 4-0 defeat at home in the ACLE, suffered another heavy loss on opening weekend, falling 3-0 to Daejeon— their first defeat to Daejeon since 2010.
Pohang displayed the same weaknesses as last season, squandering numerous chances to get on the scoresheet. Meanwhile, their backline remains shaky, with a lack of depth at center-back a growing concern. Choi Geon-joo impressed on the left flank for the visitors, scoring the first goal of the 2025 K League season in the first half.
The second half was largely a rearguard effort, with Pohang dominating possession as Lee Tae-seok and Wanderson pulled the strings, but their finishing remained wasteful. Then, against the run of play, Daejeon launched one of their few attacks of the half, with Joo Min-kyu on hand twice to seal the win.
Daejeon’s strong form from the tail end of last season, combined with this impressive victory, will only raise expectations that they can push into the top half—and perhaps even more—this season.
MOM Joo Min-kyu (Daejeon Hana Citizen)
Next up Pohang have an all important tie with DT Johor on Tuesday before an away game at Gangwon FC, while Daejeon take on the other East Coast team struggling Ulsan HD.
Daegu FC 2-1 Gangwon FC
(1.33 Xg vs 1.00 Xg)
A thrilling back-and-forth battle in Daegu ended with a trademark, roaring Cesinha-inspired comeback, securing Daegu’s first-ever opening-day victory in the K1 season. It was a deserved win, with the veteran Brazilian putting in a masterful display, terrorizing the Gangwon defense.
Cesinha registered five key passes, provided an assist, and took six shots—the only one on target being the rocket that won the game in added time.
Gangwon had their moments, particularly in the first half, with Lee Ji-ho impressing on his professional debut. His well-placed cross found Gabriel, who used his size advantage over the fullback—similar to Mota in the FC Anyang game—to head in the opener.
The match turned with the introduction of Ko Jae-hyun, who provided the assist-assist for the equally impressive Lamas to mark his return to Daegu and K1 in style, though Gangwon goalkeeper Lee Gwang-yeon won’t want to see that one again.
That set the stage for a grandstand finish, as Daegu pushed hard for a winner—only to find it in the most Cesinha way possible. What a goal!
MOM Cesinha (Daegu FC)
Next up Daegu FC host Suwon FC while Gangwon FC play their first home game against Pohang Steelers
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 Gimcheon Sangmu
(2.72 Xg vs 1.69 Xg)
Gus Poyet began his K League reign with a comeback victory against the army team. Gimcheon took the lead through a beautiful assist from Lee Dong-gyeong, expertly turned in by Yu Kang-hyun.
Jeonbuk responded well, forcing several errors out of Gimcheon. Captain Park Jin-seop made it two goals in two games, striking home on the stroke of half-time after a quick free kick. The winner came in the 80th minute when Park Chan-yong’s poor pass at the back gifted Jeon Jin-woo the chance to head in the decisive goal.
It was an entertaining affair that will have delighted Jeonbuk supporters, who have endured two years of frustration following poor performances under their last three managers. Gimcheon faded badly and were pretty much a one-man team going forward.
MOM Lee Dong-gyeong (GImcheon Sangmu)
Next up Gimcheon continue their away journeys with a trip to Jeju while Jeonbuk face off against Lee Jung-hyo’s Gwangju FC, after their second leg against Port FC in the ACL2
Gwangju FC 0-0 Suwon FC
(2.17 Xg vs 0.4 Xg)
It only took three games to get our first nil-nil of the season—unfortunately. However, the scoreline was more a result of missed chances, particularly from Gwangju.
Moon Min-seo had a couple of good openings, the second of which saw him attempt a spectacular overhead kick that went just wide. Suwon FC nearly stole all three points when new foreign signing Ofkir was played through by Anderson. The Norwegian should have done better with the finish, especially with fellow newcomer Sabbag screaming for the ball in the middle.
A work in progress for both teams.
MOM Reis (Gwangju FC)
Next up Gwangju have the ACLE against Buriram although they are already through and then play Jeonbuk at the weekend. Suwon FC are away at Daegu.