K League Listings (11-29/30)

Happy Thanksgiving to our readers in the U.S. of A! Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with good food, family, and football (of the American kind). Anyway, this weekend is the final weekend for the K League (with the exception of the promotion playoff-relegation match the following weekend). It’s time to settle things once and for all!

K League Classic Fixtures – Round 38

Championship Half

Jeonbuk Motors vs Ulsan Hyundai – Sunday, 2pm KST
Jeju United vs FC Seoul – Sunday, 2pm KST
Pohang Steelers vs Suwon Samsung – Sunday, 2pm KST

Relegation Half

Sangju Sangmu vs Gyeongnam FC – Saturday, 2pm KST
Seongnam FC vs Busan IPark – Saturday, 2pm KST
Jeonnam Dragons vs Incheon United – Saturday, 2pm KST

Notes:

• Jeonbuk-Ulsan: There will be no dramatic title-deciding action this year as Jeonbuk wrapped things up weeks ago. Ulsan similarly have little to play for.
• Jeju-Seoul: Seoul must win if they’re to have any chance at qualifying for next year’s AFC Champions League, having seen chances to qualify slip through their fingers against Seongnam and Pohang. Jeju was eliminated from qualifying after Pohang picked up a point midweek.
• Pohang-Suwon: Suwon has nothing to play for, but Pohang needs a point to ensure their qualification for the AFC Champions League. Seoul has a slight edge in goal difference, so a Pohang loss and Seoul win would see the capital club leapfrog the Gyeongsang club for 3rd.
• Sangju-Gyeongnam: Sangju is already relegated, can they take Gyeongnam down with them? Gyeongnam dropped into the playoff spot after Seongnam’s midweek win, but their match is (on paper) slightly easier this weekend.
• Seongnam-Busan: Busan’s win last weekend ensured their safety, so will they take their foot off the pedal? Seongnam will hope so considering they will need to win to ensure their safety. However, Busan is undefeated in their last 10 matches, and have beaten Seongnam in all three of their meetings this season.
• Jeonnam-Incheon: The other game this weekend that lacks significance. Jeonnam and Incheon have both guaranteed their safety for next season. Jeonnam will finish 7th. Incheon could drop down to 10th should they lose and Seongnam win.

Note: TV/internet listings have not been posted on the K League website yet. I imagine that most will be streamed via Naver and Afreeca (few on Daum) as usual, and that some will have regional TV broadcasts. Update will come after the listings are up.

K League Challenge Playoffs – Round 2

Ansan Korea Police vs Gwangju FC – Saturday, 2pm KST

• Ansan and Gwangju meet to decide who will go to the final playoff match. Ansan with the upper hand on paper. Notched a 3-1-0 record against Gwangju during the regular season.