As we begin to get closer to the climax of the 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 regular season, Round 26 sees the penultimate batch of Friday night fixtures. With the race for top four heating up, teams like Pohang Steelers and Daejeon Hana Citizen have chances to draw closer to realising their ambitions this weekend, while an intriguing match between the league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and bottom-place Daegu FC headlines Saturday.
Match of the Round
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Daegu FC
In a clash between first and last, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors host Daegu FC this Saturday. For the Green Warriors, they come into Round 26 boasting a 21-game unbeaten streak in league competition, while their opposition have won just once in that same period, and are winless in 14 K League 1 games. Still, Daegu competed well in a 2-2 draw away at FC Seoul last time out and came close to earning all three points, while Jeonbuk created an xG total of 2.13 from 22 shots in what was still a narrow 2-1 triumph over FC Anyang.
In the other two meetings between these teams this year, Jeonbuk have come out on the winning side, which includes a 4-0 away thrashing in Round 16.
Team of the Round
Pohang Steelers (vs. FC Anyang)
Following back-to-back clean sheet victories, Pohang Steelers are continuing their push for a top-four finish. In a structured showing against Gwangju FC last Saturday, the Steelers limited their opponents to an xGA tally of just 0.09 (from two shots), while taking 14 attempts of their own, winning 45 duels, and completing 11 tackles on their way to an important 1-0 win. This weekend, Pohang travel to face FC Anyang, who have lost four of their last five matches.
Player of the Round
Kim Jun-beom, Daejeon Hana Citizen (vs. Gwangju FC)
With a goal and assist, Kim Jun-beom was a vital game-winner for Daejeon Hana Citizen in their 3-2 triumph over the in-form Suwon FC. In addition to the goal contributions, the 27-year-old made three passes to the final third, three recoveries, and created two chances, complementing a lively showing. Next up for Daejeon is Gwangju FC, who have fallen into the bottom half after a run of four games without victory.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 26
Friday sees a battle between two teams hoping to gain some daylight from the ongoing battle for survival, as ninth-place Jeju SK face eighth-place Gangwon FC. Elsewhere, Suwon FC are looking to quickly return to winning ways against Ulsan HD, who enjoyed a successful start to life under new manager Shin Tae-yong with a 1-0 victory against Jeju. Finally, Gimcheon Sangmu are out to extend their four-game unbeaten streak when up against an FC Seoul side that has won three of their last five games.
K League 1 Round 26 Fixtures
Friday 15th August
Jeju SK (9th) vs. Gangwon FC (8th)
FC Anyang (11th) vs. Pohang Steelers (4th) [ENG]
Saturday 16th August
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) vs. Daegu FC (12th) [ENG]
Suwon FC (10th) vs. Ulsan HD (6th) [ENG]
Sunday 17th August
Gimcheon Sangmu (3rd) vs. FC Seoul (5th)
Gwangju FC (7th) vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen (2nd) [ENG]
*All games kick off at 19:00 KST, aside from Suwon FC vs. Ulsan HD, which has a kick-off time of 20:00 KST*
Watch all matches live on
TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided where indicated.
