K League Mini Listings (11-15/16)

So, the league won’t stop for the international break (and really why should it, just four players have been called and the only one on a team still playing for something is Cha Du-ri and FC Seoul), and there is a full spate of games. Three rounds left for the K League Classic and the final weekend for the K League Challenge. A couple massive games in both leagues, so don’t forget about them!

K League Classic Fixtures – Round 36

Championship Half
Jeonbuk Motors vs Pohang Steelers, Saturday at 2pm KST
FC Seoul vs Ulsan Hyundai, Sunday at 2pm KST
Jeju United vs Suwon Samsung, Sunday at 4pm KST

Relegation Half
Incheon United vs Sangju Sangmu, Saturday at 2pm KST
Busan IPark vs Jeonnam Dragons, Saturday at 2pm KST
Seongnam FC vs Gyeongnam FC, Sunday at 2pm KST

Match Notes

  • Jeonbuk of course, won the title last weekend, so they simply play the role of spoilers for the last few weeks. Derail Pohang’s campaign as revenge for AFC CL elimination? Why not? The Steelers have struggled lately, and while they still have a gap over 4th placed FC Seoul, the two sides are still to meet . . .
  • Speaking of Seoul, they’ll be without ageless Cha Du-ri, off with the national team, but hope they can keep the pressure on Pohang by beating Ulsan, who are without Kim Seung-gyu (national team) and Kim Shin-wook (injured).
  • Jeju drifted further from the AFC CL spots after getting hammered by Jeonbuk last week, and this week they’ll face a tricky task in Suwon. Normally Suwon should win this match, but they have little motivation now.
  • Incheon seems to have fallen asleep after their late season surge up the table, but last week’s loss to Busan dropped them back in the mixer a bit. A visit from bottom-placed Sangju should give them a boost to ensure their safety, but they didn’t look too convincing last week at the Asiad.
  • Busan will have their last home game of the season against Jeonnam, another team that seems to have fallen asleep due to safety. The Dragons rolled over for Gyeongnam last week, and should they do so again against Busan, the IPark should have secured their place in next season’s top flight.
  • Last, but certainly not least, we come to the biggest Classic match of the round. Seongnam hosts Gyeongnam at Tancheon. Last weekend’s results saw Seongnam drop into the playoff spot and Gyeongnam sneak out. Whoever wins this one will take a big step in staying up for next season.

TV and Streaming Options

  • Jeonbuk-Pohang: KBS N, Naver, Daum, Afreeca
  • Incheon-Sangju: CJ Hellovision Incheon, Naver, Afreeca
  • Busan-Jeonnam: CJ Hellovision Busan, Naver, Afreeca
  • Seongnam-Gyeongnam: SPOTV+, Naver, Daum, Afreeca
  • Seoul-Ulsan: KBS N, Naver, Daum, Afreeca
  • Jeju-Suwon: None

K League Challenge Fixtures – Round 36

Goyang Hi vs Gwangju FC
Suwon FC vs Gangwon FC
FC Anyang vs Daegu FC
Chungju Hummels vs Bucheon 1995
Ansan Korea Police vs Daejeon Citizen

Match Notes:

  • Goyang is out, while Gwangju is just in – the playoffs that is. Gwangju has a superior goal difference than their rivals, so that should give them an advantage should they need it. That being said, I imagine the team would rather control their own destiny rather than rely on others. A win guarantees their place in the playoffs.
  • The biggest match of the Challenge, and possibly the weekend. Suwon FC vs Gangwon FC. Gangwon is currently 3rd with 51 points, but Suwon FC is just behind in 6th with 48 points. A Suwon win would see them move level on points, but Suwon has a +4 goal difference compared to Gangwon’s -3. So, a win for Suwon would move them above Gangwon. Suwon would also need one of Gwangju or Anyang to slip up as well to make the playoffs. A Gangwon win guarantee them a place in the playoffs.
  • A few weeks ago, and Anyang looked a lock for the 3rd spot. But a run of so-so form at the worst possible time has seen them drop to 5th and out of the playoff positions. They’ll host out-of-contention Daegu in the final round. Anyang will need to better Gwangju’s result, or hope that Gangwon drops points against Suwon (and Anyang wins).
  • A battle at the bottom. Nothing to see here, and slightly sadly probably only a few hundred will. Bucheon is guaranteed to finish bottom. Chungju just above. Maybe next season will be better . . .
  • A battle at the top, but nothing on the line. Daejeon has won the title and auto promotion. Ansan has clinched the second spot and will wait to see who they face in the second round of the playoffs.

TV and Stream Options

  • Goyang-Gwangju: None
  • Suwon FC-Gangwon: T Broad Suwon, Naver, Daum, Afreeca
  • Anyang-Daegu: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
  • Chungju-Bucheon: None
  • Ansan-Daejeon: Naver, Daum, Afreeca
About Jae Chee 339 Articles
A football fan who got bit by the writing bug.

2 Comments

Join in the Tavern's conversations -Leave a comment...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.