After some mid-season festivities, the 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 season picks up steam with Round 25. The action begins on Friday, and over the course of three days sees notable games such as FC Seoul hosting Daegu FC, Ulsan HD welcoming Jeju SK in the Horangi's first game following Kim Pan-gon's departure, and the in-form Suwon FC travelling to face Daejeon Hana Citizen.
Match of the Round
Ulsan HD vs. Jeju SK
Headlining Round 25 is a clash between reigning champions Ulsan HD and Jeju SK. For the hosts, the weekend represents the chance for a fresh start, with previous manager Kim Pan-gon departing following the Horangi’s 3-2 home defeat to Suwon FC last weekend, and new boss Shin Tae-yong being appointed in midweek. However, Jeju will have their sights set on causing an upset, given that they sit just two points behind the Horangi and have won two of their last three games.
So far this year, Ulsan have had the advantage in this fixture, having beaten Jeju in both prior meetings. Back in Round 13, though, it did take a 98th-minute Jo Hyeon-woo penalty save to secure the three points for the Horangi.
Team of the Round
Gimcheon Sangmu (vs. Gangwon FC)
Following a comfortable 3-1 victory over Jeju SK, Gimcheon Sangmu have moved up to second-place in K League 1. In that aforementioned triumph, the military side created an xG tally of 3.59 from 21 shots, took 34 touches in the opposition box, and conceded an xGA total of exactly one, the same amount of shots on target their opponents managed. On Saturday, Gimcheon travel to face Gangwon, a team they brushed aside 4-0 in their last head-to-head.
Player of the Round
Pablo Sabbag, Suwon FC (vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen)
With four goals in his last three appearances, Pablo Sabbag has found form at the perfect time for Suwon FC. As well as bagging a brace last time out in his team’s 3-2 away victory against Ulsan HD, the striker made four passes to the final third, completed three successful dribbles, won seven of his 11 aerial duels, and took three of his six shots on target in a well-rounded attacking showing. This weekend, Suwon travel to face Daejeon Hana Citizen, who slipped down to third-place after a 1-0 defeat to FC Seoul in round 24.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 25
Looking to continue their quest for continental football, FC Seoul host a bottom-place Daegu FC side in real danger of being cast adrift from the rest of the division. Elsewhere, league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will hope a home clash with FC Anyang can allow them to continue their extended hot streak, while Pohang Steelers and Gwangju FC are both out to solidify their respective Final A ambitions at the other’s expense.
K League 1 Round 25 Fixtures
Friday 8th August
FC Seoul (4th) vs. Daegu FC (12th) - 19:30 [ENG]
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. FC Anyang (11th) - 19:30
Saturday 9th August
Ulsan HD (7th) vs. Jeju SK (9th) - 19:30 [ENG]
Gangwon FC (8th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd) - 19:30
Sunday 10th August
Pohang Steelers (5th) vs. Gwangju FC (6th) - 19:00 [ENG]
Daejeon Hana Citizen (3rd) vs. Suwon FC (10th) - 19:00 [ENG]
Watch all matches live on
TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided where indicated.
