One point apiece for top three teams after quiet week for K League

Football

Published: 07 Aug. 2023, 15:16 Updated: 07 Aug. 2023, 17:49

One point apiece for top three teams after quiet week for K League

FC Seoul players celebrate after Kim Shin-jin's goal during a K League game against the Pohang Steelers at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul on Friday. [NEWS1]

None of the top-three K League teams earned the results they wanted last week, with second-place Pohang Steelers drawing with third-place FC Seoul on Friday and league leaders Ulsan Hyundai failing to further extend the gap with the Steelers after sharing a point with Daegu FC the following day.

The clash between the Steelers and FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul started with FC Seoul forward Kim Shin-jin opening the scoring in the 53rd minute with a diving header.

The Steelers bounced back 10 minutes later with an Oberdan equalizer, but the capital side’s Aleksandar Palocevic then made it 2-1 in the 67th minute and that seemed like the end result.

The Steelers’ chances through the 90th minute did not find the back of the net, but defender Ha Chang-rae headed in a goal from a corner in injury time, ending the game at 2-2.

Gwangju FC, on the other hand, earned three points after a 3-0 victory over Daejeon Hana Citizen at home on Friday.

The Suwon derby took place at Suwon World Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Saturday and Suwon FC walked away with a 2-0 win over the Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Suwon FC's Lee Seung-woo, center, celebrates scoring a goal during a K League game against the Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Saturday. [K LEAGUE]

Elsewhere, league leaders Ulsan recorded a goalless draw with Daegu despite having far more possession and shots on target.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors played on Sunday and managed a 2-0 victory over Incheon United at home, snatching the third place on the table from FC Seoul.

Last-place Gangwon FC remained at the bottom of the table following a 1-1 draw with Jeju United in Jeju.

The K League will continue next weekend, with Ulsan traveling north to face Gangwon, while Jeju take on Suwon FC at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Saturday.

Jeonbuk will face the Bluewings at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla on Saturday, with the game now going ahead as planned after a possible cancelation for the World Scout Jamboree closing ceremony, which has now been relocated to Seoul.

FC Seoul will travel to Daejeon on Sunday to play Daejeon, followed by Incheon’s clash with Daegu at Incheon Football Stadium.

The match between the Steelers and Gwangju at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang will be the last game of the week.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]