As we enter the proverbial "business end" of the 2023 Hana 1Q K League 1 season, there is still plenty to play for, but by the same token, some things are nearing a conclusion. At the top of the table, Ulsan Hyundai will be hoping for a weekend win that would edge them closer to retaining the title, whereas the bottom four all have important games that could set the tone for where they end up finishing come the end of Round 38.
Match of the Round
Pohang Steelers (2nd) vs. Incheon United (6th), Fri. 20th October - 19:30
Friday sees a clash between second and sixth, as Pohang Steelers welcome Incheon United to the Steelyard. The hosts will be wanting to get back on track here after their 11-league-game unbeaten run came to an end in the final round of the regular season at the hands of Suwon Samsung Bluewings. That, and Pohang sit nine points below first-place Ulsan Hyundai, so will need a Friday night victory to keep any hopes of a late-season title push alive.
Incheon United, on the other hand, secured their spot in Final A last time out with a 0-0 draw away to Ulsan Hyundai. Two wins, two draws and one loss makes up their last five league results, showing the general upturn in form the Durumi enjoyed during the second half of the regular season. With that being said, two of Incheon United's last three defeats have been against Pohang,
So far this season, Pohang have the aforementioned two wins over Incheon, though did lose to Cho Sung-hwan’s men in their first meeting of the year back in round 10. Interestingly, whoever has been the away side has emerged victorious in each of the last three meetings between the two sides.
Team of the Round
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (vs. Daegu FC, Sat. 21st October - 16:30)
After beating FC Seoul 2-0, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors confirmed they will be plying their trade in Final A for the rest of this season. It’s been a difficult year for the Green Warriors, who risked a bottom-half finish for the first time since 2007, but Dan Petrescu could view what happened against Seoul as a potential turning point for his squad. Now bolstered by the return of players like Paik Seung-ho, this weekend Jeonbuk will be hoping to score back-to-back league wins for only the first time since July.
Daegu, meanwhile, now sit one place below Jeonbuk heading into Final A following their 2-2 draw with Suwon FC last time out. The Sky Blues are unbeaten in seven league matches, though, and will no doubt still harbour ambitions of AFC Champions League qualification. This year, Daegu have two wins and one defeat in this fixture, with the most recent meeting a 3-1 victory for Choi Won-kwon’s men just two rounds ago.
Player of the Round
Kim Ju-chan, Suwon Samsung Bluewings (vs. Jeju United, Sun. 22nd October - 14:00)
In the final round of the regular season, it was Kim Ju-chan who scored the winning goal that put an end to Suwon Samsung Bluewings’ five-game losing streak. The 19-year-old forward has developed a penchant for important goals this year, given all three of them have been scored in Bluewings victories. Against Pohang, Kim Ju-chan made some impressive defensive contributions as well, completing four interceptions, three defensive duels, and two recoveries.
Up next for Suwon Samsung Bluewings is Jeju United. The Islanders are struggling for form as of late, having lost four consecutive games, and six of their last seven. As a result, they've found themselves drawn increasingly closer to the ongoing relegation battle, which therefore means a swift upturn in fortune is required for Jeju to secure their survival. So far this season, Jeju have won twice in this fixture, but it’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings who boast the most recent victory, a 1-0 back in August.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 34
In a clash between third and first, it’s perhaps Gwangju FC who will go into proceedings with the most confidence. After all, the home side have won four of their last five games, which includes a 2-0 away victory over this weekend’s opposition. Ulsan Hyundai are undefeated in four themselves, however (three draws, one win), and know they can quickly secure a retention of the league title should they start strong post-split. Round 29’s loss to Gwangju was the first time Ulsan have tasted defeat against the Griffins since 2015, ending an unbeaten run of 17 for the Horangi in this fixture.
Despite dropping into the bottom half, FC Seoul already know their safety in K League 1 is confirmed, and thus focus will switch to finishing the year as strongly as possible. The capital city side have two wins, two losses and one draw in their last five, which represents fairly steady, if unspectacular, form. Gangwon FC, on the other hand, are winless in three matches now, and should they want to make a push for automatic safety, will have to start with a first victory away to Seoul since 2021.
Now four games without defeat, Daejeon Hana Citizen appear to be hitting their stride again. Before the split the Purples were 1-0 victors at home to Jeju United, meaning a draw at the weekend would be enough to guarantee their K League 1 safety for next year. Suwon FC, meanwhile, are winless in four, though sit a narrow four points away from Jeju United in ninth following consecutive draws. Kim Do-kyun’s squad have beaten Daejeon on two occasions this year too, so could have confidence they can score a win on Sunday, close the gap on their competition, and make an important step towards possible automatic safety.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round 34 Fixtures
Friday 20th October
#POHvINC: Pohang Steelers (2nd) vs. Incheon United (6th) - 19:30
Saturday 21st October
#GWAvULS: Gwangju FC (3rd) vs. Ulsan Hyundai (1st) - 14:00
#DAEvJEO: Daegu FC (5th) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (4th) - 16:30
Sunday 22nd October
#SEOvGAN: FC Seoul (7th) vs. Gangwon FC (11th) - 14:00
#JEJvSSB: Jeju United (9th) vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings (12th) - 14:00
#DHFCvSUW: Daejeon Hana Citizen (8th) vs. Suwon FC (10th) - 16:40
Where to Watch
Pohang Steelers vs. Incheon United on Friday and Daegu FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are the two matches picked for English commentary.
Follow all the action from all six matches LIVE, for FREE, and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.
