If you want to keep clean sheets the team needs to defend as one. This next instalment of K League Top Threes takes a look at defending as a team, from tackles to interceptions and other things in between.

Tackles

Suwon FC made the most successful tackles as a team with 196 which works out 5.16 per match. Incheon United, a team which finished in the bottom half of the table, is second with 184 (4.84 per match) while Gyeongin Derby rivals FC Seoul, another team which finished in Final B, made just two fewer with 182 (4.79).

Duels

Sometimes it's not as simple as making a tackle and you have to fight for the ball. In terms of duels, Incheon United made the most with 1572 (41 per 90), followed by Suwon Bluewings at 1504 (39.58) and champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in third with 1483 (39).

Aerial Duels

Get your head on it! Sometimes the ball spends a lot of time in the air and so the taller, stronger players in the team are looked upon to win aerial duels. Incheon made the most successful aerial duels with 1167 (30.71), Jeju United are second with 1142 (30.05), and Seongnam are third with 1131 (29.76).

Interceptions

Sensing the danger and cutting out that killer pass. Interceptions not only prevent a goal from being scored but can also be the start of a counterattack. As a team, Jeju United made the most interceptions in K League 1 last year with 780 (20.53), Incheon second with 716 (18.84), while Pohang Steelers were third with 697 (18.34)

Clearances

Get rid of it! Put the ball into row z or simply punt it long. Sometimes you just have to clear your lines and allow yourself to regroup. In terms of clearances made in 2021, Gwangju FC sit top with 730 (19.2), Incheon second with 716 (18.84) and Gangwon FC third with 664 (17.47). All three times finished in Final B and Gwangju and Gangwon made up the bottom two. 

Blocks

Even if you can't get your foot on the ball and start a counterattack, blocking the pass or attack is just as important. In terms of blocks made in K League 1 in 2021, Incheon United sit top with 1666 (43.84 per 90), Suwon FC second with 1587 (41.76), and Gwangju FC make up the top three with 1572 (41.37).

Paul Neat
Managing Editor