Lee Seung-woo double sends Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to bottom

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Lee Seung-woo double sends Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to bottom

Published: 13 May. 2024, 12:27 Updated: 13 May. 2024, 17:13

PAIK JI-HWAN
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Suwon FC midfielder Lee Seung-woo, center right, celebrates scoring a goal during a K League 1 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors hit the bottom of the K League 1 table after a third straight loss to Suwon FC on Sunday, while there was no movement at the top as the three leaders took a point apiece.

Jeonbuk ended the first half of Sunday’s match at home up 2-0, but still suffered a 3-2 loss after allowing a double to Lee Seung-woo and the winner to Jeong Jae-min in the second half.

The loss pushed Jeonbuk to the bottom of the table again after first hitting it last month. The nine-time K League 1 champions have had one of the worst starts this year, having recorded two wins, four draws and six losses as of Monday.

Their defense is a clear vulnerability, having conceded the second most goals in the league, at 22 in 12 games. New forward signee Tiago Orobo has also been unimpressive this season, having scored just one goal in 12 matches — a stark contrast to last season when he finished as the second top scorer in the league with Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Jeonbuk’s struggle comes under interim manager Park Won-jae, who took the helm last month following the resignation of then-manager Dan Petrescu.

Jeonbuk did not say that Park would lead the team for the remainder of the 2024 season, but the club has yet to announce a new permanent manager.

Over at the top of the table, league leaders Pohang Steelers shared one point with Jeju United after a 1-1 draw in Pohang, North Gyeongsang on Sunday.

Second-place Ulsan HD and third-place Gimcheon Sangmu faced each other on the same day in Ulsan and drew 2-2.

Gimcheon Sangmu, in white, react after a draw with Ulsan HD in the K League 1 match at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan in a photo shared on Gimcheon's official Instagram account on Sunday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Defending champions Ulsan sit in second place, but they could top the table after a game against Gwangju FC on Wednesday. They have played one game fewer than the Steelers due to the 2023-24 AFC Champions League semifinal schedule with Yokohama F. Marinos, which ended with a loss for Ulsan last month.

A draw against Gwangju will allow Ulsan to snatch the top spot, as they will then tie with the Steelers, but Ulsan will edge the Pohang side out by goals scored — the second deciding factor.

Three other teams were in action on Saturday.

FC Seoul beat Incheon United in Incheon 2-1 thanks to a double by Willyan Barbosa. But spectators wearing blue and black Incheon shirts behind FC Seoul goalkeeper Baek Jong-bum threw water bottles at him and other players that confronted them after the final whistle, which Incheon CEO Jeon Dal-soo ended up apologizing about later in the day.

FC Seoul and Incheon United react to spectators who threw water bottles on the pitch after a K League 1 match at Incheon Football Stadium in Incheon on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Elsewhere, Daegu FC secured three points by beating Gwangju 3-2 at home.

The clash between Gangwon FC and Daejeon in Gangwon saw the most goals, at six, with the match ending with a 3-3 draw.

Following the mid-week action between Ulsan and Gwangju on Wednesday, Daejeon will take on Incheon at home on Saturday. Gimcheon will play Jeju in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang later in the day.

Ulsan will play their second match of the week against Gangwon at Chuncheon Songam Sports Town in Gangwon on Sunday.

Last-place Jeonbuk will take on Gwangju in Gwangju. FC Seoul will face Daegu in the capital, while the league leading Steelers will travel north to play Suwon.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [[email protected]]