After nearly forty weeks, with 444 K League 1 matches played, 550 goals scored, and 159 victories, the 2021 Hana 1Q K League 1 campaign concludes this weekend. On the final weekend, there is still plenty to be decided, including the league title with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Ulsan Hyundai both in contention. Managing Editor Paul Neat takes a look at what is at stake as the K League season draws to a close.
Final A
Title Race
For the third year in a row, the K League 1 title race is delicately poised heading into the final week of the season. In 2019 and 2020 three points separated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Ulsan Hyundai at the top of the table, but this year the gap is just two points meaning that this is the closest final day in recent memory.
Jeonbuk are at home to Jeju United and need to get something from their match in order to guarantee a record fifth consecutive championship. Kim Sang-sik's men have scored seven goals more than Ulsan meaning that, with goals scored being the next tiebreaker in K League, a draw might be enough, provided that the Horangi don't score more than eight.
Ulsan are at home to Daegu and know that anything other than a win will do. Jeonbuk and Jeju's three previous meetings this term all ended in draws while all three 2021 meetings between Ulsan and Daegu this term have ended 2-1, twice in favour of Daegu and one in favour of Ulsan.
Where to Watch
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs Jeju United on TV.KLeague.com
Ulsan Hyundai vs Daegu FC on TV.KLeague.com
Alternatively, both games have been selected by K League's overseas broadcasting partners: here
Race for Third Place and ACL
Daegu FC and Jeju United may appear as having supporting roles in the blockbuster that is this year's final day epic but the pair also have their own story arcs to play out. Both Daegu and Jeju are in the hunt for third place and a possible AFC Champions League berth. Daegu will secure a place in the ACL group stages should the Sky Blues lift the FA Cup but with the second leg against Jeonnam Dragons not until Saturday 11th December, and with a narrow 1-0 aggregate scoreline, Daegu only have one hand on the trophy. Jeju in fourth would then receive the fourth ACL spot should Daegu win but if the Sky Blues lose to Jeonnam, the Dragons get a spot in ACL and only the K League runners up and third place would get a playoff spot. This means that Daegu and Jeju are in no position to second guess and will be wanting to secure a positive result come Sunday.
Bragging Rights
The two Suwon clubs end the season with a fourth Suwon Derby of the season. There are just two points between the two teams with Suwon FC in fifth and Suwon Samsung Bluewings in sixth. A win for either team would secure fifth and ensure of local bragging rights over the winter break. Suwon FC have been using Suwon World Cup Stadium as their home ground since the summer meaning that Suwon Bluewings will actually be playing an away game in their own stadium. Suwon FC have had the upper hand in the two of three previous encounters in 2021, securing two wins at Big Bird already (3-0, 2-1) in July and August after a 0-0 draw back in March
Final B
Race for Seventh
With relegation confirmed for Gwangju FC and with Gangwon FC guaranteed to play in the Promotion/Relegation Playoff against Daejeon Hana Citizen, all that is left to be decided in Final B is which order the top four teams finish in. No fewer than four teams are in contention for seventh place. Currently, Pohang Steelers and Incheon United sit in seventh and eighth respectively level on 46 points following a 0-0 draw between the two teams last weekend. However, close behind are FC Seoul in ninth and Seongnam FC in tenth - both on 44 points. A win for Seoul over Pohang might be enough to secure top spot in Final B provided that Incheon drop points against Gwangju FC. Elsewhere, Gangwon take on Seongnam to cap off the season and will be looking to build momentum ahead of the playoffs and so could throw a spanner in the works of Seongnam's attempts to land seventh place.
[READ: Pohang Steelers vs FC Seoul Preview]
Paul Neat
Managing Editor
