The K League 1 Wrap-Up: Gangwon FC and Gwangju FC Bring the Goals, While Daegu FC Gain Crucial Momentum

After a weekend containing a mix of major upsets, high-scoring fixtures, and some real close contests, columnist Nathan Sartain returns to recap all of the action from round 29 of the 2025 K League 1 season.

Extending their recent hot-streak, Gangwon FC made it three consecutive wins and six league games unbeaten with a 3-2 triumph over FC Seoul. Pressing from the front, the Bears had a real sense of urgency in the opening phases of play, before settling into a nice, comfortable rhythm. Again, Gangwon found joy from fast transitions here, and both Lee You-hyeon’s half-volleyed opener as well as Lee Sang-heon’s smart finish came from some impressively decisive decision making.

Nevertheless, Seoul did cause problems too, and fully deserved to get back into the game once establishing their own consistent pressure, but simply cannot afford to go three goals down prior to mounting a potential comeback. As such, Gangwon have leapfrogged the capital city side into the top-half ahead of their AFC Champions League Elite debut in midweek, where they face Shanghai Shenhua, while Kim Gi-dong’s men return to the competition with an away trip to Japanese side FC Machida Zelvia.

In the third East Coast Derby of the season, there was nothing between Pohang Steelers and Ulsan HD. Scrappy at times, partially due to the sizeable foul count, there was plenty of needle across the contest, yet a lack of real clinical instinct from either team in open play. However, Lee Ho-jae’s headed opener from a corner was solid, as was Heo Yool getting on the end of a perfectly delivered free-kick for the equaliser, and overall a draw is probably a fair result.

With that in mind, Pohang remain in the hunt for a top-four finish, four points clear of Gangwon below them, and only one point away from Gimcheon Sangmu in second. Ulsan, meanwhile, are now winless in four games, and have to try and get the better of an in-form FC Anyang next week to kickstart what could be their last push for a Final A finish.

Even just a couple of weeks ago, Daegu FC looked a team almost destined for the drop. For as much as performances were starting to improve, wins weren’t forthcoming, and time was running out. However, following back-to-back victories for the first time since the opening two rounds, Sky Blues fans have room to be cautiously optimistic.

And why not? There are nine overall matches left to play, and nine points separate Daegu from a promotion/relegation playoff spot, where the Sky Blues would at least be allowed to somewhat control their own destiny, albeit against a side that will be eager to earn a top-flight spot of their own. In the meantime, there’s at least Jang Seong-won’s wonder strike to enjoy anyway.

Continuing to stride towards the K League 1 title, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors got the better of Daejeon Hana Citizen thanks to a 64th-minute Andrea Compagno penalty. This was a fairly even contest without being packed with quality, though the Green Warriors gained momentum through the second-half introduction of their goalscorer, and started to find ways to trouble a generally steadfast opposition defence. Having lost three of their last four outings, Daejeon now know the final few weeks of the regular season are vital to re-establish intentions to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite, and importantly get things back on track.

Enjoying their own upswing in form, Sunday saw FC Anyang make it three consecutive wins as the Violets came from a goal down to defeat Jeju SK 2-1. Buoyed by a red card awarded to Yu In-soo, Ryu Byeong-hoon’s men largely controlled proceedings, consistently peppering the opposition box prior to their eventual Ivan Jukic winner. Now the same distance away from a Final A spot as they are the promotion/relegation playoff spaces, Anyang certainly have reason to back themselves going into the final few weeks of the regular season.

Finally, Gwangju FC put news of a fresh transfer ban behind them on Sunday with a triumphant 4-2 victory away at Suwon FC. Frantic at times, there was two own-goals and a penalty in the first-half, and neither side could really establish a clear foothold. Yet as has been their undoing on several recent occasions, Suwon faltered in the final stages, conceding in the 83rd and 96th-minute to allow for the Griffins to take the points, and move up to fifth in the table.

That’s all for this column! After some ACL action, the K League 1 season rolls on with a full fixture list this coming weekend.