Before the penultimate international break of the regular season, Round 28 of 2025 Hana Bank K League 1 action sees plenty of rivals facing off. Notably, FC Seoul and FC Anyang meet for the third time this year, while both Ulsan HD and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will look for some momentum at the other's expense. Elsewhere, Pohang Steelers are hoping to continue their purple patch when up against Gangwon FC, and Daegu FC will again look towards Cesinha as the Sky Blues aim for what would be just a fourth victory of 2025 this weekend.
In what could be a heated derby game, FC Seoul host rivals FC Anyang this Sunday. Seoul are hoping to gain more consistency to boost their top-four chances, and were impressive in a 3-2 win against Ulsan HD where they efficiently outscored their xG total of 0.64. Anyang, meanwhile, ended a run of three consecutive defeats with a 3-2 victory of their own over Daejeon Hana Citizen, with a Matheus Oliveira second-half brace the difference maker.
While the first meeting this year went in Seoul’s favour with a 2-1 triumph, the most recent clash ended in a 1-1 draw, one where a Moon Seon-min equaliser in the 81st-minute helped Kim Gi-dong's men secure a point after Matheus had given the Violets the lead on 52 minutes.
Team of the Round
Pohang Steelers (vs. Gangwon FC)
Enjoying a run of four consecutive victories, Pohang Steelers look good value for their continental qualification bid. When ending Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ 22-game unbeaten run in K League 1 with a 3-1 win last weekend, the Steelers created an xG total of 1.95 from their nine shots, made 33 clearances, won 41 duels, and limited their opposition to just four attempts on target in an all-round competitive display. This week, Pohang face Gangwon FC, who beat Gwangju FC 1-0 in Round 27 to keep their 10th clean sheet of the campaign.
Player of the Round
Cesinha, Daegu FC (vs. Suwon FC)
As Daegu FC try desperately to get the points on the board that would enable them to make some sort of survival push, their Brazilian star Cesinha will no doubt be a catalyst. Per 90, the 35-year-old averages 2.58 chances created, 1.62 successful dribbles, 4.59 recoveries, 3.23 shots, and 2.78 touches in the opposition box. The club legend is currently on seven goals and four assists from 16 appearances this season. Up next for Daegu is Suwon FC, who were narrowly beaten 3-2 by Gimcheon Sangmu last time out.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 28
After back-to-back losses, reigning champions Ulsan HD are looking to get back on track when hosting league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who reached the Korea Cup final in dramatic fashion on Wednesday with a 2-1 comeback win against Gangwon FC. Elsewhere, Jeju SK are aiming to rectify their four-game winless run against a Gwangju FC side that, while also making the Korea Cup final, have lost three of their last four league games. Finishing the week, Daejeon Hana Citizen are looking to return to winning ways following consecutive defeats this Sunday in a clash with Gimcheon Sangmu, who themselves are enjoying a six-match unbeaten run.
K League 1 Round 28 Fixtures
Saturday 30th August
Ulsan HD (8th) vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) - [ENG]
Daegu FC (12th) vs. Suwon FC (9th) - [ENG]
Jeju SK (10th) vs. Gwangju FC (6th)
Sunday 31st August
FC Seoul (5th) vs. FC Anyang (11th) - [ENG]
Gangwon FC (7th) vs. Pohang Steelers (3rd)
Daejeon Hana Citizen (4th) vs. Gimcheon Sangmu (2nd) - [ENG]
*All games kick off at 19:00 KST*
Watch all matches live on
TV.KLeague.com. English commentary provided where indicated.
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