Pohang claimed their first win at the Steelyard since the opening day on Tuesday with Song Min-kyu netting a late winner to make it nine points from their last three games for Kim Gi-dong's side. Moving up to fourth in the table with a win, the Steelers could climb further and leapfrog surprise package Jeju United should they earn a fourth consecutive win. Both of these sides won in midweek, with the Tangerines turning around a 1-0 deficit at home to FC Seoul.
There is double 'Min-kyu Danger' on Saturday, with Pohang's Song and Jeju's Joo both tied second on five for goals scored in Hana 1Q K League 1 this season. 21-year-old Song has shown great prowess with headed goals this term and the young winger ranks first in the division for expected goals and one-on-one dribbling attempts. His namesake at Jeju may be a decade older, but is rediscovering the form that saw him bag 17 goals for Sangju Sangmu in 2017.
Team of the Round
Incheon United
Jo Sung-hwan's Incheon United earned their first points on the road this season with a 3-1 victory at Seongnam FC on Wednesday. Having not won since Round 5 of Hana 1Q K League 1 there will have been great relief as a deadly double of headers from Negueba and Kim Hyun put Incheon into a commanding position.
Elías Aguilar has been in red hot form this season, netting again at Tancheon from the spot to take his season tally to four in 11 games. The Costa Rican is one of the players Incheon will look to if they are to break through Ulsan's defence this weekend. Another player putting in big performances at the other end has been goalkeeper Lee Tae-hui. While conceding the most in the league, he also tops the rankings for shots faced and shots saved. The return of Stefan Mugoša up front could relieve some of the burden on that backline. Incheon's talismanic striker saw his first K League minutes of the season at Seongnam, replacing Aguilar from the bench.
Player of the Round
Lee Bum-soo (Gangwon FC)
Gangwon boss Kim Byung-soo has numerous first team goalkeepers at his disposal with Lee Bum-soo, Kim Jeong-ho and youngster Lee Gwang-yeon all battling for game time. Former Gyeongnam and Jeonbuk stopper Lee Bum-soo has been Gangwon's preferred option this season, with the 30-year-old making seven appearances and ranking first in K League 1 for goals prevented per 90 minutes.
Lee had kept three clean sheets in consecutive home games for Gangwon, but was absent and replaced by ex-Busan IPark keeper Kim Jeong-ho for Gangwon's midweek defeat to Gwangju. Whichever player Kim Byung-soo opts for between the sticks, they may expect to be in for a busy night as the league leaders remain unbeaten this season and boast the league's top goal scorer in Stanislav Iljutcenko.
K League 1 Table
K League 1 Round 12 Fixtures
Saturday 24th April 2021
#POHvJEJ: Pohang Steelers (4th) vs Jeju United (3rd) - 14:00
#GWAvDAE: Gwangju FC (7th) vs Daegu FC (8th) - 16:30
#GANvJEO: Gangwon FC (10th) vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (1st) - 19:00
Sunday 25th April 2021
#INCvULS: Incheon United (11th) vs Ulsan Hyundai (2nd) - 14:00
#SUWvSEO: Suwon FC (5th) vs FC Seoul (9th) - 16:30
#SFCvSSB: Seongnam FC (6th) vs Suwon Samsung Bluewings (5th) - 19:00
Suspensions
Lee Yong-rae (Daegu FC), returns Round 13
Choi Sung-geun (Suwon Samsung Bluewings), returns Round 14
Kim Tae-hyun (Ulsan Hyundai) is available once more, returning from his suspension.
Where to Watch
K League's Marquee Matches can be viewed live on television in countries with overseas broadcasting rights. More details can be found
here.
Alternatively, subject to local broadcasting restrictions, fans can also view matches for free on
KLeague TV.
K League United Assistant Editor
