With Round 27 of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 2 season up next, the final round robin of the campaign begins in earnest. The promotion race is as hot as ever, with at least seven teams in genuine contention for the four places up for grabs.
Match of the Round
Gimpo FC (7th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (3rd)
Gimpo FC may have had to settle for a draw away to Seoul E-Land at the weekend, but the point meant Ko Jeong-woon's side extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches. Such form has quietly propelled Gimpo into the playoff race, just three points behind Busan in fifth. But with two other teams level on 37 points, also vying for a place in the playoffs, Gimpo have no margin for error if they are to keep pace with the top five.
Jeonnam Dragons, in third, have eyes on claiming second place, sitting six points behind Suwon Bluewings. The Dragons made it back-to-back wins at the weekend, seeing off Ansan Greeners with a 2-0 win. The win marks a solid turnaround from a run of four matches without one (two draws, two losses), and keeps a cushion over third.
Gimpo have a reputation for being hard to beat and score against, and this season is no different; they are second for clean sheets with 12, while Jeonnam's eight ranks them sixth in that regard. Jeonnam have, however, on average, dispatched 4.4 shots on target per match to rank fourth, while Gimpo's 3.9 ranks them eighth. Interestingly, both teams have conceded eight penalties this season, the most in the division. The record between the two teams over the last 10 meetings is dead even with four wins each and two draws.
Team of the Round
Incheon United (vs. Chungnam Asan)
An emphatic 4-0 win for Incheon United extended their lead at the top of the table to 10 points. Win number 19 of the campaign came thanks to goals from Gerso Fernandes (two), Park Ho-min, and Park Seung-ho away to Chungbuk Cheongju. It marked an instant return to winning ways following defeat to Seongnam in the previous round. Against the Lions, Incheon had the lion's share of possession (59%) and chances, with eight shots on target from a total of 13. This was nearly double their average so far this season of 4.3 shots on target per match. Up next for the league leaders is Chungnam Asan at home.
Player of the Round
Leonardo Ruiz, Seongnam FC (vs. Suwon Bluewings)
A brace in a 2-1 win over Gyeongnam FC for Leonardo Ruiz ensured Seongnam FC picked up their third win in four and extended the Magpies' unbeaten run to eight. The Colombian hitman moved onto 10 goals for the season, reaching double figures in K League 2 for the second season in a row. His strikes against Gyeongnam were actually his first in a win since Round 16 back in June, moving the 29-year-old up to joint fourth in the scoring charts. Leonardo ranks ninth in K League 2 for total shots with 55 and fifth for shots on target with 28. Up next for Leonardo and Seongnam is the trip to Big Bird to take on Suwon Bluewings.
Elsewhere in K League 2 Round 27
Ansan Greeners take on Hwaseong FC while propping up the table and in search of a first win in 12. Hwaseong earned a very credible draw at home to Suwon Bluewings last time out, their third in a row, but are looking to earn a first victory since Round 21, six matches ago.
Busan IPark host Chungbuk Cheongju with the aim of not only preserving their place in the playoffs, but also aiming to build on two straight wins. Chungbuk Cheongju are without a win in three and sit just four points above last place.
Cheonan City take on promotion hopefuls Seoul E-Land while at risk of dropping to last place. The Leopards will be looking to return to winning ways, having drawn their last four in a row and sit three points outside the playoffs.
Gyeongnam FC sit just three points above last place and are without a win in three heading into the visit of playoff contenders Bucheon FC 1995. Bucheon, though, have just one win in five and make the trip south after a mini run of two without victory.
K League 2 Round 27 Fixtures
Saturday 30th August
Ansan Greeners (14th) vs. Hwaseong FC (10th) - 19:00
Gimpo FC (7th) vs. Jeonnam Dragons (3rd) - 19:00
Busan IPark (5th) vs. Chungbuk Cheongju (11th) - 19:00
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (2nd) vs. Seongnam FC (8th) - 19:00
Incheon United (1st) vs. Chungnam Asan (9th) - 19:00
Sunday 31st August
Cheonan City (13th) vs. Seoul E-Land (6th) - 19:00
Gyeongnam FC (12th) vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (4th) - 19:00
