The two teams also top the table in terms of points picked up after taking the lead. Ulsan have gone ahead six times and won all six while Pohang are four in four. Saturday's meeting is the 175th K League East Coast Derby. The previous 174 meetings have resulted in 64 Pohang wins, 58 for Ulsan, and 52 draws. Goals scored is dead even, though, with 209 each. Ulsan have had the upper hand over the last 10 meetings with five wins to three and two draws.
Team of the Round
Jeju United, vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Sun. 23rd April - 16:30)
After a fun of five matches without victory, Jeju United were able to pick up two wins on the spin in rounds six and seven. The most recent was a 3-2 win away to Suwon Bluewings, despite falling behind early on. Before that, the islanders overcame Gangwon FC away from home meaning that, come Sunday, Nam Ki-il's men are on the hunt for their first home win of the campaign. The Jeju faithful will no doubt be pleased to see that Brazilian duo Yuri Jonathan and Reis are getting themselves amongst the goals, the latter bagging a brace in the 3-2 win at Big Bird. Yuri, meanwhile, scored his second of the campaign but first from open play. Jeju face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, a side that has had three defeats in its last five matches and sits ninth in the table.
Player of the Round
Na Sang-ho, FC Seoul (vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings)
Na Sang-ho is three in three for FC Seoul heading into this Saturday's Super Match. That brings Na's total for the season to four which, along with Gwangju's Jasir Asani and Daejeon's Tiago, makes him the joint-second-top scorer in K League 1. The Korean international winger also has form for scoring against the Bluewings. In fact, in 10 appearances against Suwon, Na has won seven matches, scored three and assisted two. While in the red and black of FC Seoul, Na scored in two 2-0 wins - one in Round 32 of the 2021 season and one in Round 9 of the 2022 campaign. In Round 16 last year, Na teed up Cho Young-wook to score the winner in a 1-0 victory.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 8
In one of four games to be played on Saturday, Daegu FC are at home to Daejeon Hana Citizen. Daegu lost to Gwangju last time out and will be seeking a return to winning ways but they take on a Daejeon side that toppled champions Ulsan at home last week and sit fourth.
Two teams that picked up wins last time out, Incheon United and Suwon FC, meet for the Saturday evening kick-off. Incheon know that a win over Suwon would see them leapfrog the Castle Park side in the table while a win for Kim Do-kyun's men could put them in the hunt for the top four.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, high-flying Gwangju FC are at home to a Gangwon FC side that is yet to win this season, Gwangju out edged Daegu last time out in a seven-goal thriller to make it three wins in five and four for the campaign. Gangwon suffered a 2-0 reverse at home to Incheon and haven't found the back of the net in over 200 minutes.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round 8 Fixtures
Saturday
#SuperMatch: FC Seoul (4th) vs Suwon Samsung Bluewings (12th) - 14:00
#DAEvDHFC: Daegu FC (10th) vs Daejeon Hana Citizen (3rd) - 16:30
#EastCoastDerby: Ulsan Hyundai (1st) vs Pohang Steelers (2nd) - 16:30
#INCvSUW: Incheon United (8th) vs Suwon FC (6th) - 19:00
Sunday
#GWAvGAN: Gwangju FC (5th) vs Gangwon FC (11th) - 14:00
#JEJvJEO: Jeju United (7th) vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (9th) - 16:30
Where to Watch
The Super Match as well as Gwangju FC vs Gangwon FC have been picked for overseas broadcasting and English commentary. Check local listings for more information.
Alternatively, all matches can be watched LIVE, for FREE, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.
