The Week In Korea – Round 10
Round 10 of the K-League season was a routine affair, with no upsets and little in the way of surprises regarding final scores. It was however one of the highest scoring rounds, with only one game ending goalless.
Jeonbuk played host Gwangju on Friday night to kick-start the weekend’s fixtures, and made easy work of securing the three points. They took the lead in the 17th minute with a header from a corner, before Kim added a second following excellent work from Hugo Droguett. After a Gwangju corner, Droguett won a loose ball inside his own half and broke down the left hand side. He showed great pace, along with an excellent touch and vision to set up Kim. A third was added from the penalty spot after Gwangju were reduced to ten men. Credit must be given to Gwanju, as they set up a tight final ten minutes after clawing it back to 3-2, and were forcing Jeonbuk to make some desperate clearances while in search of the equaliser. All Jeonbuk worries were put to bed when Droguett teed himself up with his right foot, and volleyed the ball home with his left. Gwanju then fell to sleep during a late corner, leaving a man free in the six yard box to softly head home. After several exciting performances this season, Droguett is showing that he may be a step above the K-league, and I don’t expect to see him here after his season long loan from Mexican team Cruz Azul.
On Saturday Suwon once again showed the kind of attitude that is needed to secure a title, coming back from being a goal behind at half time to Seongnam. Obviously, it’s still very early in the season, but this Suwon side seems to be developing into a very strong team. Everton Santos claimed his seventh goal of the season to go top of the scoring chart and give Seongnam the lead, but Suwon had their own Everton to thank for inspiring the fightback. He provided the equaliser as well with an excellent chipped pass over the Seongnam defence to put Stevica Ristic through for the winner.
Seoul can count themselves lucky to have taken three points from their trip to Gangwon. Seoul had a 1-0 lead after a tight first half, Molina getting his sixth goal of the season. Gangwon should have drawn level within the first ten minutes of the second half, missing several sitters. Finally in the 65th minute Gangwon got their deserved equaliser after the Seoul keeper saved an effort from within the box only to see the rebound bundled in. Gangwon continued to press and five minutes later Japanese midfielder Yusuke Shimada should have given his side the lead. He stole the ball from a Seoul defender and found himself through on goal, but dragged his effort wide of the far post. With three minutes to go Gangwon should have scored following a pull back from the right hand side but the Seoul defenders threw their bodies on the line and a shot from 25 yards hit the woodwork.
After such valiant and brave football it was extremely cruel when three minutes into stoppage time, a Gangwon defender’s clearance was charged down by Molina, putting him through on goal when he cleverly chose to square the ball, allowing Dejan to tap home and steal all three points.
Daejeon managed to fall further away from everyone else at the foot of the table, as they went down 2-0 to Ulsan with very little fight or threat, and at the same time Chunnam and Incheon played out a scoreless draw. Jeju brushed aside Gyeongnam to maintain the pressure at the top, running out 3-1 victors.
Jeonbuk Motors | 5 – 2 | Gwangju |
Ulsan | 2 – 0 | Daejeon Citizen |
Suwon Bluewings | 2 – 1 | Seongnam |
Daegu | 1 – 0 | Pohang Steelers |
Sangju Sangmu | 1 – 2 | Busan I’Park |
Chunnam Dragons | 0 – 0 | Incheon United |
Gangwon | 1 – 2 | Seoul |
Jeju United | 3 – 1 | Gyeongnam |
| # | Team | P |
| 1 | Suwon Bluewings | 23 |
| 2 | Jeju United | 21 |
| 3 | Ulsan | 21 |
| 4 | Seoul | 19 |
| 5 | Jeonbuk Motors | 17 |
| 6 | Busan I’Park | 16 |
| 7 | Daegu | 16 |
| 8 | Pohang Steelers | 14 |
| 9 | Gwangju | 13 |
| 10 | Seongnam | 13 |
| 11 | Chunnam Dragons | 11 |
| 12 | Gangwon | 11 |
| 13 | Sangju Sangmu | 8 |
| 14 | Gyeongnam | 8 |
| 15 | Incheon United | 6 |
| 16 | Daejeon Citizen | 3 |

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