K League Weekly: Round 2 Review

We Have Goals But Lingard's Home Debut Ends Goalless

After a sleepy round 1 of the K League, game week 2 gave us lots of excitement and even broke some records. The 51,670 crowd at the Gyeongin Derby between FC Seoul and Incheon United was the highest ever paid crowd and 4th highest all-time. That crowd was sadly treated to the first nil-nil of the season but all other spectators would have enjoyed this week’s games. The main story of Jesse Lingard home story was nicely supplemented with first wins for new managers at Pohang and Jeju. Gwangju’s 4-2 back and forth thriller will go down as the game of the week but Gimcheon’s near comback at home and down 3-0 at the half could’ve been that if that controversial 2nd penalty had been given. All-in-all, a weekend to reflect on fondly.

Suwon FC 1-1 Jeonbuk

The bright start to Suwon’s season continued with a good performance at home to a much changed Jeonbuk side, who had to play for over an hour with 10 men after Nana Boateng high and dangerous foot on Jeonbuk loanee Kang Sang-yun. Despite the mana advantage it was the twinkle toes of Lee Seung-woo that was needed to open up their opponents shortly after his HT introduction. A reply against the run of play from Tiago Orobo, a nicely taken volley for his first for his new club, sent Suwon searching for a winner again. However, it was the away team coming away from the game feeling they could’ve won it after a late Lee Yeong-jae goal was ruled out for a foul.

MOM: Anderson Oliveira

Jeonbuk have Ulsan next in the ACL for their 2nd of 3 meetings in March and then Gimcheon away at the weekend.

Suwon FC take their undefeated start away to the winless Daegu FC next.

Gimcheon Sangmu 2-3 Ulsan HD

A clinical first half from, a slightly less rotated than Jeonbuk, Ulsan was enough to beat the army side in their first home game since promotion. The promoted side contributing to their own downfall with some sloppy play in the first half and finished the half 3 goals down. Ulsan’s Lee Dong-gyeong punishing the home team with two well taken finishes and industrious Jang Si-young finishing off his pass. A tactical switch to put Won Du-jae in the back 3 helped turned the tide. Kim Hyeon-ug matched Lee’s double of the 1st half and could’ve had the chance for a hat-trick with a 2nd penalty if Hwang Seok-ho’s mistimed tackle had been deemed so by the ref or VAR. Ulsan held on but were 2nd best for the whole 2nd half with one eye most likely on the next game.

MOM: Lee Dong-gyeong

Ulsan all important ACL Quarter Final with Jeonbuk on Tuesday and then a home game against Incheon to come.

Gimcheon have another tough home game against Jeonbuk.

Pohang Steelers 3-1 Daegu FC

Pohang manager Park Tae-ha got his maiden win, although a shotless first half and one goal behind to a Hong Chul shot had the fans wondering. The key was the introduction of Kim Jong-woo who was instrumental in the creativity he brought in the final third. Kim immediately linked up to the impressive Jorge who helped steer the ball into Jeon Min-gwang’s path for a quick-fire equaliser after the break. They then took the lead right after; again a Kim Jong-woo clipped ball into Jorge, against an isolated Ko Myung-seok, who turned and shot that landed in front of Kim In-sung to complete the turn around. Kim Jong-woo put the icing on the cake with an excellent third. Daegu had no answer despite Cesinha' completing 90 minutes for the first time since last August.

MOM Jorge/ Kim Jong-woo

Pohang have a tough home game against high-flying Gwangju FC

Daegu take on Suwon FC looking for their first points of the season.

FC Seoul 0-0 Incheon United

The first nil-nil of the season fell on the best attended. The crowd wasn’t rewarded for their attendance with a tight affair. FC Seoul had the best chance, when an exquisite Lingard pass through a set of legs, and bamboozling Oh Ban-suk in defence, saw debut maker Kang Sang-woo’s effort well closed down by Lee Bum-soo with the rebound just out of Kang’s reach as he lost his footing. Incheon defended well and made it difficult for Seoul while carrying some threat on the break. FC Seoul were very conservative in possession and felt like the ghost of former coach’s style Ahn Ik-soo was looming over the players. The end of the game fell flat with expectations shifting to the next game but Lingard’s showing will be encouraging with some adaptation to the league and its pitches still required.

MOM: M’Poku

Jeju at home next for FC Seoul who will be desperate to score their first goal of the season and get new manager Kim Gi-dong’s first win.

Incheon are also searching for their first goal but have a tough trip to champions Ulsan up next.

Gwangju FC 4-2 Gangwon FC

From snorefest to blockbuster down in Gwangju. The away side took the lead after two minutes, with 17-year-old Yang Min-hyuk opening his professional account with superb effort from outside the box. Yang had a goal cruelly given to teammate Lee Sang-heon due to a slight deflection last week, but this effort was beyond any doubt. The hosts were on struggling to get going and required the introduction of Round 1 MVP Gabriel to level and then ultimately take the lead again after making it 1-1 and then 3-2, after Lee Gun-hee had put the hosts initally in front before Lee Sang-heon equalised from the spot. Gabriel rose highest from a Eom Ji-sung delivery to make it 3-2. To seal a topsy-turvy game Choi Kyoung-rok hammered home a VAR awarded penalty in the dying moments.

MOM Gabriel

Gwangju have their first away game of the season against Pohang next time.

Gangwon are away to Daejeon.

Jeju United 3-1 Daejeon Hana Citizen

A first win for Kim Hak-beom at Jeju in front of the long-suffering home fans sent them home happy after a tough 2023. An out of sorts Daejeon were up against after falling behind to two late penalties in the first half, both duly dispatched by Yuri Jonathan who opened his account for the season. Some second half changes on both sides resulted in a goal a piece in the 2nd half. First Jin Seong-wook pretty much sealed the win with a spectacular solo effort just after the hour mark and the consulation was a result of half-time time sub Leandro combining well with late sub Farley Rosa for the latter’s debut goal. An excellent way to start the campaign for the islanders while Daejeon’s bright start in Round 1 seems a long time ago after a poor showing here.

MOM Yuri Jonathan

Jeju have a trip to FC Seoul up next before the international break.

Daejeon have their first home game of the season against Gangwon FC.