Suwon, Daegu fail to advance as top-tier clubs enter Korea Cup

Football

Published: 18 Apr. 2024, 14:33 Updated: 18 Apr. 2024, 16:17

Suwon, Daegu fail to advance as top-tier clubs enter Korea Cup

Daegu FC forward Kim Young-jun, right, in action during a 2024 Korea Cup match against Chungbuk Cheongju FC at DGB Daegu Bank Park in Daegu in a photo shared on Daegu FC's official Facebook account on Wednesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The third round of the 2024 Korea Cup — the newly-renamed FA Cup — finished Wednesday with K League 1 sides Suwon FC and Daegu FC crashing out of the competition early.

A total of 12 matches took place with eight of the K League 1 teams joining the competition for the first time, alongside 12 K League 2 teams, three K3 teams and one K4 side in action.

Suwon FC suffered a 1-0 loss to K League 2 side to local rivals Seongnam FC in Seongnam, Gyeonggi after a penalty by Christy Manzinga in the 89th minute, making an early exit from the tournament.

Seongnam FC's Christy Manzinga celebrates scoring a goal during a 2024 Korea Cup match against Suwon FC at Tancheon Sports Complex in Seongnam, Gyeonggi in a photo shared on Seongnam FC's official Facebook account on Wednesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Daegu also crashed out with a 2-1 loss to K League 2 side Chungbuk Cheongju FC at home after extra time.

Daegu’s performance on Wednesday is par for the course based on the K League 1 season so far, where they have only secured one win in seven games to sit in 11th place on the 12-team table.

Over at Mokdong Sports Complex in western Seoul, FC Seoul from the K League 1 secured a 1-0 win over fellow capital side Seoul E-Land from the K League 2 thanks to the winner from center-back Hwang Hyun-soo, who scored his first goal in his first appearance of the season for FC Seoul.

FC Seoul defender Hwang Hyun-soo, center, celebrates scoring a goal during a 2024 Korea Cup match against Seoul E-Land at Mokdong Sports Complex in western Seoul in a photo shared on FC Seoul's official Facebook account on Wednesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Down in Jinju, South Gyeongsang, K League 1 side Daejeon Hana Citizen beat K4 team Jinju Citizen Football Club 2-0.

Wednesday’s victory is only the second win Daejeon has secured in all competitions this season, having only grabbed one win in seven K League 1 fixtures so far to sit at the bottom of the table.

Fellow K League 1 team Gangwon FC also grabbed a victory at home, beating K3 side Hwaseong FC 3-1 after scoring two goals in extra time.

The match between K League 1 team Jeju United and K League 2 team Cheonan City FC in Jeju, meanwhile, went all the way to a penalty shootout after the score tied at 2-2, with Jeju winning 4-3 in the end.

Elsewhere, K League 1 team Incheon United claimed a berth in the round of 16 with a 1-0 win over K3 team Gimhae FC in Incheon.

Newly-promoted K League 1 side Gimcheon Sangmu also joined the last 16 with a 3-2 win over K League 2 team Busan IPark at home.

K League 2 side Suwon Samsung Bluewings — relegated from the first division last year — grabbed a 1-0 win against fellow K League 2 team Ansan Greeners in Ansan, Gyeonggi.

Suwon Samsung Bluewings defender Jang Ho-ik shoots during a 2024 Korea FA Cup match against the Ansan Greeners at Ansan Wa Stadium in Ansan, Gyeonggi in a photo shared on the Bluewings' official Facebook account on Thursday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Down in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, K League 2 side Gyeongnam FC beat K League 2 team Jeonnam Dragons and 2022 FA Cup champions 1-0. Another clash between K League 2 sides — Gimpo FC and FC Anyang — in Anyang, Gyeonggi, meanwhile, ended with a 1-0 victory for Gimpo.

Bucheon FC 1995 joined fellow K League 2 sides in the round of 16 with a 2-1 win over K3 side FC Mokpo in South Jeolla.

The four remaining K League 1 teams — defending champions Pohang Steelers, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC — will join the competition in the round of 16 on June 19.

The Steelers will face the Bluewings at home, while FC Seoul take on Gangwon in the capital.

Jeonbuk will travel north to face Gimpo, and Jeju will fly north to face Daejeon.

Bucheon will play Gwangju at home, and Seongnam will clash with Chungbuk Cheongju in Seongnam, Gyeonggi.

K League 1 reigning champions Ulsan will play Gyeongnam in Ulsan, and Incheon will face Gimcheon in Incheon.

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