In this week’s marquee clash, Pohang Steelers welcome Daejeon Hana Citizen to the Steelyard. The hosts are in mixed form, having won just once in their last five games, and now sit in third following a 3-1 loss at the hands of Gimcheon Sangmu before the international break. Still, there are plenty of positives for Park Tae-ha’s men to draw from, with his team having conceded the joint-fewest number of goals in the division (15), while averaging (per 90) 10.1 interceptions, 11.8 successful tackles, and 16.3 clearances.
As for Daejeon, they lifted themselves off bottom place last time out thanks to a late Peniel Mlapa winner against Daegu FC, and are now hoping returning manager Hwang Sun-hong can oversee some more consistent form. In the short-term, the Purples do have plenty to work on, though, given they rank bottom in K League 1 for shots taken (147), xG (18.12), and key passes (35).
Back in Round 6, Pohang Steelers ran out 2-1 away winners in this fixture, with a stoppage time Jeong Jae-hee goal the difference maker. As such, the Steelers currently remain unbeaten against Daejeon since 2010, a run of 16 games (12 wins, four draws).
Suwon FC (vs. Gangwon FC, Sat. 15th June, 20:00)
After back-to-back wins and four victories in their last five games, Suwon FC appear to be on track for a successful season. Having already matched their win total from 2023 (eight), Kim Eun-jung’s side are looking a more balanced outfit, bringing the best out of star players like Lee Seung-woo, but remaining defensively solid enough to ensure they’re consistently competitive in matches. In their 3-1 win against Incheon last time out, Suwon efficiently outscored their xG of 1.34, managed five shots on target, 12 high recoveries, and 31 accurate passes into the final third, whilst limiting the Durumi to three shots on target, and 15 touches in the penalty area.
This weekend, Suwon FC travel to face a Gangwon FC side enjoying a four-match winning streak. The Bears are showing their attacking prowess so far this year too, ranking second in the division for xG (25.54), third for key passes (49), and third for overall shots taken (203), whilst being only two goals behind Ulsan in the goalscoring charts with a total of 29. Last month, a 91st-minute Jung Han-min winner gave Gangwon a 2-1 comeback victory over Suwon in the reverse fixture.
Player of the Round
Jeong Ho-yeon, Gwangju FC (vs. Gimcheon Sangmu, Sat. 15th June, 19:00)
In recent weeks, central midfielder Jeong Ho-yeon has stood out for Gwangju FC, showing his all-round qualities in both defensive and attacking phases of play. Playing a part in every game for the Griffins so far this year, and accumulating three assists in the process, per 90 the 23-year-old averages 2.03 dribbles, 2.71 progressive runs, 8.29 recoveries, 7.73 passes to the final third, four interceptions, and nine duels won. After a 2-1 win against FC Seoul, Gwangju have moved up to seventh place.
On Saturday, Gwangju host Gimcheon Sangmu. The military side are currently on an 11-match unbeaten run in K League 1 action (five wins, six draws), and after defeating Pohang Steelers 3-1 in their last outing, have risen to second place. With nine clean sheets and only 15 goals conceded across their opening 16 matches, it’s fair to say Chung Jung-yong’s team are difficult to break down, something which helps sustain form considering they rank seventh in K League 1 for xG (22), and eighth for big chances (28). The last four times these teams have met, the military side have come out on the winning end, a run which includes a 2-1 round six victory over Gwangju this year.
Elsewhere in K League 1
After returning to the top of the table, Ulsan HD look to build momentum at home to FC Seoul. It took a 94th-minute Ataru Esaka winner for the Horangi to triumph over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors before the break, but the league leaders are now unbeaten in three, and looking increasingly solid. This year, Ulsan continue to top the xG charts with their total of 28.67, though rank fifth for xGA with the team expected to have conceded 23 times this year (compared to their actual total of 18). FC Seoul, meanwhile, sit in ninth place, winless in four following a 2-1 home defeat to Gwangju. Unlike their opposition, Kim Gi-dong’s men are underperforming their xGA, shipping 22 goals from an expected figure of 19.85. Earlier this year, Ulsan were 1-0 victors in this fixture, extending their unbeaten run against Seoul to 19 matches (14 wins, five draws).
Following back-to-back defeats, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be hoping for a better showing when they welcome Incheon United to the Jeonju World Cup Stadium. The Green Warriors are currently in 10th place, level on points with Daegu in bottom, and searching for a consistent spark (they rank bottom for shots on target per match with 2.9, and ninth for big chances with 24). As for Incheon, their three-game winless run has left them in eighth, though a 3-1 defeat away at Suwon FC before the break was only their second defeat in their last eight matches. In round 10, Incheon defeated Jeonbuk 3-0, their first win over the club since August 2022.
To finish the week’s round of fixtures, Daegu FC face off against Jeju United. The Sky Blues have lost their last three matches after appearing to rebound under manager Park Chang-hyun, and rank bottom in K League 1 for goals per game (0.9), eighth for xG (21.43), and last for touches in the opposition box (288). On the other hand, Jeju remained in the top half despite suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Gangwon two weeks ago, and have shown the value of efficiency this year, having won four times via a 1-0 margin (one of which was against Daegu last month). That win was only the Islanders’ second against the Sky Blues since April 2018, however.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round 17 Fixtures
Saturday 15th June
#POHvDHFC: Pohang Steelers (3rd) vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen (11th) - 18:00 [ENG]
#GWAvGIM: Gwangju FC (7th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd) - 19:00
#GANvSUW: Gangwon FC (4th) vs. Suwon FC (5th) - 20:00 [ENG]
Sunday 16th June
