After the international break, K League 1 action resumes with plenty to play for. Now that we're heading into the final few weeks of the regular season, the competition amongst several teams for a Final A finish is certainly reaching a fever pitch, while those at the bottom and top of the table will be looking to build strong form to carry with them once the division splits in two.
Match of the Round
Ulsan Hyundai (1st) vs Daejeon Hana Citizen (8th) - Sat. 16th September - 19:00
On Saturday, Ulsan Hyundai host Daejeon Hana Citizen. The league leaders are on their worst run of 2023 at the moment, with two wins, two draws and four losses from their last eight. Nevertheless, Ulsan do have an eight-point lead over Pohang Steelers in second, so still have leeway when it comes to reversing their slide in form. Before the international break, the Horangi suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Gwangju FC, so they'll be eager to return to winning ways this weekend.
As for the visitors, they are struggling to find their footing as of late. One win, one draw and three losses make up Daejeon’s last five matches, meaning that despite forward Tiago Orobó being in fine fettle, Lee Min-sung’s men are sat in eighth, yet to find a consistent way to recapture their early season form. Last time out, a first-half Lee Seung-woo goal was enough to give Suwon FC an away win against the Purples.
So far this year, however, Daejeon are unbeaten against Ulsan (one win, one draw), so the Purples certainly have reason to be confident going into the weekend, where three points could ensure there’s still a solid chance they could claim a Final A finish.
Team of the Round
Gwangju FC (vs. FC Seoul, Sun. 17th September - 14:00
Lately, Gwangju FC have been one of the division's most consistent outfits. They’ve lost just once in their last sixteen games and now sit in third place following a run of four wins in their last six matches. Prior to the international break, the Griffins defeated Ulsan 2-0 away, handing the reigning K League 1 champions their second home defeat of the year, whilst themselves becoming the first team to keep a clean sheet in the league against the Horangi as a visiting side since Seongnam FC in June of 2022 (a 0-0 draw).
Up next for Gwangju is FC Seoul, who are showing positive signs themselves. With a win on Sunday, the capital city side would leapfrog the Griffins, make it back-to-back wins, and extend their unbeaten run to four.
Player of the Round
Lee Seung-woo, Suwon FC (vs. Pohang Steelers, Sat. 16th September - 16:30
As Suwon FC have started to improve their fortunes, Lee Seung-woo has seen his quality shine through. The 25-year-old scored four goals across the month of August, winning him the K League 1 player of the month accolade, and helping his team earn three wins in their last five games. With that in mind, Suwon FC are now closer to Jeju United in ninth, then rivals Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 11th.
This weekend, Lee Seung-woo and co. travel to face off against Pohang Steelers. Unbeaten in eight (four wins, four draws), the second-placed side may hold ambitions of a late-season title challenge, one that’d look closer to coming to fruition should they, on Saturday, beat Suwon FC for the third time this year.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 30
Neither Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors or Gangwon FC are in particularly strong form heading into one of Saturday’s 2 PM kick-offs. The Green Warriors, who remain in the top half despite winning once in their last five, have settled for draws in their last two matches, though will hope they can beat the bottom-placed Bears, a team that has managed a single victory in their last 19 games. In both meetings between these two clubs this year, whoever has been the away side has emerged victorious.
Despite losing last time out to Pohang Steelers, Incheon United remain in steady form as they prepare to host Jeju United. Two wins, two losses and one draw make up their last five, while they sit only one point off Daegu in sixth. Conversely, the Islanders' single victory in their last 14 league games sees their hopes of a Final A spot diminishing, and the risk of being caught by an improving Suwon FC increasing. Both Incheon and Jeju have a win over each other this campaign, with home advantage a factor on both of those occasions.
When Suwon Samsung Bluewings face Daegu FC, it’ll see a clash between two teams with currently opposing fortunes. Sunday's hosts have suffered back-to-back defeats, whereas the Sky Blues come into this fixture following consecutive 1-0 victories. That’s seen Daegu rise into sixth place, while the Bluewings continue to stay in 11th. In K League 1 competition this year, Kim Byung-soo’s men have one loss, and one draw against the Sky Blues.
K League 1 Round 30 Fixtures
Saturday 16th September:
#JEOvGAN: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (5th) vs Gangwon FC (12th) - 14:00
#INCvJEJ: Incheon United (7th) vs Jeju United (9th) - 14:00
#POHvSUW: Pohang Steelers (2nd) vs Suwon FC (10th) - 16:30
#ULSvDHFC: Ulsan Hyundai (1st) vs Daejeon Hana Citizen (8th) - 19:00
Sunday 17th September:
#SEOvGWA: FC Seoul (4th) vs Gwangju FC (3rd) - 14:00
#SSBvDAE: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (11th) vs Daegu FC (6th) - 16:30
Where to Watch
Follow all the action LIVE, for FREE and in HD on TV.KLeague.com.
Ulsan Hyundai vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen on Saturday and FC Seoul vs. Gwangju FC on Sunday are the matches picked for English commentary.
