This weekend the 2021 Hana 1Q K League 1 season reaches Round 32 with four games on Saturday and two on Sunday. First, Pohang Steelers take on Jeju United before Ulsan Hyundai will look to keep first place in the table when they face Gwangju FC at home. In Saturday's late kick offs, Jeonbuk Hyundai play Incheon United and currently third in the table Daegu FC face fourth Suwon FC to end Saturday's action. On Sunday, Suwon Samsung Bluewings take on FC Seoul in the Super Match and Seongnam FC face Gangwon FC, two games that could prove pivotal in the battle to avoid relegation.
Match of the Round
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2nd) vs Incheon United (7th) - Sat. 25th September 19:00
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in midweek managed to reduce the gap between themselves and league-leading Ulsan Hyundai to just one point. The Green Warriors are currently unbeaten in four with three wins and a goalless draw against Ulsan. On Tuesday, Jeonbuk managed to get a 2-1 win against Gwangju FC thanks to Song Min-kyu’s goal in added time - his first for the club - and Paik Seung-ho scoring in a second consecutive game. This weekend Jeonbuk Hyundai take on Incheon United, who have managed to get three points only once in the last 10 outings between these two teams. This season both clubs have faced each other twice: in April Jeonbuk won 5-0 with great confidence and in May the game ended in a 1-1 draw.
In midweek, Incheon United drew 0-0 with FC Seoul in the third Gyeongin Derby of 2021. Jo Sung-hwan made some interesting changes to the starting line up, benching Stefan Mugoša and Elias Aguilar. Incheon’s leading goal scorer Mugoša came off the bench in the second half so he will have more energy left for this weekend’s game against Jeonbuk. The Montenegrin international has needed only 17 appearances to net nine goals this term. Incheon United are currently in seventh place with 37 points after 29 matches and are in the fight for a place in the top half of the table. However, Incheon are now without a win in four with one draw and four losses and look to bounce back against Jeonbuk.
Team of the Round
Ulsan Hyundai (vs. Gwangju FC, Sat. 25th Sept. 16:30)
Ulsan Hyundai have been at the top of the table for some time now but after their loss against Daegu FC last weekend, the points difference between the Horangi and second in the table Jeonbuk Hyundai was reduced to just one point. In midweek Ulsan faced Pohang Steelers knowing they could lose first spot if they didn't pick up three points. Despite the pressure, Hong Myung-bo’s side picked up a 2-1 victory thanks to goals from Oh Se-hun and Vako. Ulsan Hyundai have lost only once in their previous 10 outings and only on four occasions during the whole season. This weekend they face Gwangju FC, who came close to drawing with title-holders Jeonbuk Hyundai on Tuesday. Ulsan’s Saturday opponents are at 11th place in the table, only ahead of Gangwon FC, who played three games fewer, so this match is very important for both sides. The Horangi, though, have a few key players unavailable. Kim Kee-hee, Kim Tae-hwan, and Won Du-jae will all be serving suspensions for the visit of the Yellows this Saturday.
Player of the Round
Cho Young-wook (FC Seoul)
Cho Young-wook is in great form as he has scored four goals in his last six matches to reach a career-high goal-scoring return. The Korean U23 international has proved invaluable for FC Seoul, helping his team get one point from a 1-1 draw against Seongnam FC and three against Suwon FC in a 2-1 win last weekend. In the midweek match against Incheon United, Cho Young-wook came off the bench after the break and was one of the most dangerous players on the pitch. As the 2021 K League 1 season enters the final stages, FC Seoul are in need of points in the team's bid to avoid relegation. Their recent results have helped them move up to 10th place in the table, ahead of Gwangju FC and Gangwon FC who, however, have one and four games in hand respectively. This week FC Seoul take on Suwon Samsung Bluewings in what could be the final Super Match of 2021 and do so in search of three points as they are currently unbeaten in three.
Elsewhere in K League 1 Round 32
Pohang Steelers' bid to not only finish in the top half but in the ACL places sees Kim Gi-dong's side host Jeju United this Saturday. Pohang are sixth in the table but level on points with Suwon Bluewings and five points behind Suwon FC in fourth. Jeju, though, are just four points behind in eighth and have eyes on a top half finish.
Suwon FC in fourth travel to third place Daegu FC with just three points separating the two teams. A win for Suwon would be enough for Kim Do-kyun's side to move up to third while a win for the Sky Blues would put them in the driving seat for third place.
At the other end of the table, Seongnam FC take on Gangwon FC this Sunday for what is a huge match for both teams. Seongnam FC sit ninth in the table but are just four points above Gangwon who have four games in hand over the Magpies. A win for either team could have a huge say in who finishes in the relegation zone come the end of the season.
K League 1 Round 32 Fixtures
Saturday 25th September
#POHvJEJ: Pohang Steelers (6th) vs Jeju United (8th) - 14:00
#ULSvGWA: Ulsan Hyundai (1st) vs Gwangju FC (11th) - 16:30
#JEOvINC: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (2nd) vs Incheon United (7th) - 19:00
#DAEvSUW: Daegu FC (3rd) vs Suwon FC (4th) - 19:00
Sunday 26th September
#SuperMatch: Suwon Samsung Bluewings (5th) vs FC Seoul (10th) - 15:00
#SFCvGAN: Seongnam FC (9th) vs Gangwon FC (12th) - 16:30
K League 1 Table
Where to Watch
Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow selected games live on television. More information can be found
here.
Alternatively, the matches are also available for FREE on
tv.kleague.com
Mateusz Janczak
KLeague.com Contributor
