Korean international forward Seol Ki-hyeon netted his fourth goal of the season as a resurgent Pohang Steelers side notched up their third consecutive victory against struggling Incheon United during Sunday’s K-League action.
Seol struck home from the penalty spot in the 40th minute to double his side’s advantage after Almir Lopes de Luna had put the home side ahead in the ninth minute. A Hwang Jin-sung free-kick eight minutes after the break stretched the Steelers’ advantage to three goals, before an own goal from Shin Kwang-hoon and then a Jung Hyuk penalty gave Incheon hope of reversing their run of losses however it wasn’t to be and United suffered their fourth 3-2 reverse in five K-League matches.
Gyeongnam remain top of the standings but had to settle for a point against Chunnam Dragons at the Jinju stadium. Lee Yong-rae had given Gyeongnam the lead in the 68th minute after being set up by Yoon Bit-garam, but Kim Hyung-pil levelled two minutes from time to ensure a share of the spoils.
The four sides directly below Gyeongnam going into the weekend’s fixtures all gained ground on the leaders by securing victories. Jeju United had Lee Hyun-ho to thank for heading them to victory against Busan I’Park, whilst Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors required an injury time winner from Kang Seung-jo to edge out Daejeon Citizen in a five goal thriller.
Choi Tae-wook scored his first goal for FC Seoul since moving to the capital club from Jeonbuk, though his 29th minute right-footed effort was cancelled out just three minutes later by Kwak Kwang-sun. Level at half time, Jung Jo-guk poked home the winner in the 66th minute to get FC Seoul back to winning ways after defeat in their last outing at Jeonbuk.
In Seongnam, Dzenan Radoncic fired Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma ahead against Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i two minutes after the break, and then the Montenegrin forward turned goal provider as he set up Moon Dae-sung for his side’s second right at the death.
In the weekend’s other match, Shin Young-rok and Kim Doo-hyun helped Suwon Samsung Bluewings come from behind against Daegu to record their fourth consecutive league victory and move the Bluewings up to eighth and just five points off a playoff spot.
K-League Results (Saturday August 21st and Sunday August 22nd, 2010)
Jeju 1-0 Busan
Suwon 2-1 Daegu
Gyeongnam 1-1 Chunnam
FC Seoul 2-1 Gangwon
Jeonbuk 3-2 Daejeon
Seongnam 2-0 Ulsan
Pohang 3-2 Incheon
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Incheon Korail were the big winners on the opening round of the National League second stage as five different goalscorers were on target in their 5-1 win away at Yesan. Shin Eun-yeol put the visitors ahead in the fifth minute, and then further goals from Park Yong-hwan, Heo Shin-young and Uhm Tae-woong stretched the lead to 4-0. Jung Hee-bong pulled one back for Yesan with fifteen minutes remaining but Moon Byung-woo added Korail’s fifth two minutes from time to complete the rout.
Visitors Busan Transportation Corporation took a 55th minute lead against Ulsan Mipo Dockyard as Cha Chul-ho scored his sixth of the league season, but Mipo substitute Alexandre Egea hit back in the 59th minute, just three minutes after coming on, to ensure a share of the spoils.
Honours also finished even in Goyang as Kim Jin-il’s 50th minute opener for Goyang Kookmin Bank was cancelled out in the 59th minute by a Yoon Dong-min header for Suwon City, and the points were also shared in Gimhae and Cheonan as the sides drew 1-1 with Mokpo City and Changwon City respectively.
Chungju Hummel recorded only their fifth win of the season as goals from Jung Hee-jin, Kim Min and Lee Choon-hyun helped them to a 3-2 home win over Yongin City, whilst defending champions Gangneung City defeated first stage champions Daejeon Hydro & Nuclear Power 2-1.
National League Results (Saturday August, 2010)
Yesan 1-5 Incheon Korail
Chungju Hummel 3-2 Yongin City
Gangneung 2-1 Daejeon HNP
Ulsan Mipo 1-1 Busan Transport
Goyang KB 1-1 Suwon City
Gimhae FC 1-1 Mokpo City
Cheonan City 1-1 Changwon City
