On a brisk March evening at Pohang Steel Yard, the air crackled with anticipation as FC Seoul and Pohang Steelers squared off in the fourth round of the 2026 K League 1. Both teams entered the fixture with contrasting streaks and ambitions: Seoul, under the guidance of coach Kim Gi-dong, sought to extend their early-season dominance, while Pohang, still searching for their first victory, eyed a turnaround on home turf.
The match kicked off promptly at 7:30 PM local time, with the stadium buzzing from the opening whistle. Seoul, lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, featured a potent attacking duo in Clímala and Cho Young-wook, flanked by midfielders Anderson, Babetz, Son Jung-beom, and Song Min-gyu. The backline comprised Kim Jin-su, Ross, Yazan, and Choi Jun, with Guseong Yun donning the gloves. Pohang countered with a 4-3-3 setup, fielding Lee Ho-jae up front alongside Kim Yong-hak and An Jae-jun, supported by Tranziska, Lee Chang-woo, Kim Dong-jin, Eo Jeong-won, Han Hyun-seo, Jeon Min-kwang, Shin Kwang-hoon, and goalkeeper Hwang In-jae.
Seoul wasted no time asserting themselves. Barely three minutes had elapsed when the visitors struck gold. Son Jung-beom, pressing high in midfield, intercepted a loose ball and orchestrated a quick exchange with Clímala. Spotting space on the right, Son threaded a precise through pass to Cho Young-wook, who surged into the penalty area. With nerves of steel, Cho coolly dribbled past Hwang In-jae and slotted the ball into the net, handing Seoul a dream start. According to Sports Seoul, "Cho Young-wook received a penetrating pass after a strong midfield press, calmly dribbled, and finished with his right foot to beat the Pohang keeper."
Pohang, stung by the early concession, rallied with determination. At 14 minutes, Tranziska flicked on a header to An Jae-jun, whose shot from inside the box was denied by a sharp save from Guseong Yun. Moments later, Eo Jeong-won unleashed a strike following a setup by Tranziska, only for Choi Jun to bravely block the attempt. The Steelers pressed forward, but Seoul’s defense held firm, repelling wave after wave of attacks.
As the first half ticked toward its conclusion, drama unfolded. In stoppage time, Tranziska, already on a yellow card, engaged in a physical challenge with Seoul defender Choi Jun. His elbow made contact with Choi’s face, prompting the referee to brandish a second yellow and send Tranziska off. This critical incident left Pohang with ten men for the remainder of the match. As reported by multiple sources, "Tranziska was sent off due to a second yellow card for an elbow foul against Choi Jun." The Steelers trudged into halftime trailing 0-1 and facing a daunting uphill battle.
Halftime saw both coaches shuffle their decks. Pohang introduced Kang Min-jun and Hwang Seo-ung in hopes of revitalizing their depleted lineup, while Seoul brought on Lee Seung-mo to reinforce their midfield. The second half began with Seoul nearly doubling their lead. Just two minutes in, Lee Seung-mo delivered a pinpoint early cross from the right, and Song Min-gyu’s first-time volley rattled the crossbar, leaving Pohang fans holding their breath.
Pohang’s numerical disadvantage became increasingly evident as the half wore on. Seoul dominated possession, probing for openings and forcing Pohang deeper into their own half. At 12 minutes, Kim Jin-su curled in a cross from the left, met by Lee Seung-mo’s header, but the effort sailed over the bar. Pohang, desperate for an equalizer, turned to Wendelson at 13 minutes, but the visitors’ defense remained unyielding.
Seoul continued to threaten. At the 15-minute mark, Kim Jin-su again found space on the flank, delivering a cross that Clímala redirected with a header, only to see it drift just over the target. Pohang’s best chance in the second half came at 18 minutes when Wendelson fired a speculative shot, but Guseong Yun was equal to the task. Minutes later, Hwang Seo-ung cut the ball back for Juninho, whose first-time effort cleared the crossbar, much to the frustration of the home supporters.
Substitutions flowed as both managers searched for a breakthrough. Seoul replaced Clímala with Moon Seon-min in the 28th minute, injecting fresh legs into their attack. Pohang responded by bringing on Jo Sang-hyuk at 39 minutes, but the Steelers’ efforts continued to be stymied by Seoul’s disciplined defense and tactical organization.
The final whistle confirmed a hard-fought 1-0 victory for FC Seoul, marking their third straight win to open the season—a feat they had not accomplished in 19 years, dating back to the tenure of coach Şenol Güneş in 2007. As Sports Seoul highlighted, "Seoul’s early-season surge is their best since 2007, with three consecutive wins to start the league." The result also consigned Pohang to their first home defeat of the campaign and extended their winless run to four matches.
In the broader league context, Seoul’s victory kept them level on points with Ulsan Hyundai, who also notched their third win by defeating Jeju SK 2-0. Ulsan, however, lead the standings on goal difference, having scored seven goals to Seoul’s five. Both teams have played one fewer match than their rivals due to a rescheduled fixture, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the early title race.
For Pohang, the loss was a bitter pill. Despite a spirited effort with ten men, they struggled to create clear chances after Tranziska’s dismissal. The absence of attacking spark and the numerical disadvantage proved insurmountable, leaving coach Park Tae-ha and his squad searching for answers as they continue their quest for a first victory this season. As noted in local coverage, "Despite fighting hard with 10 men, Pohang could not overcome Seoul’s defense and lost the match."
Seoul, meanwhile, are riding a wave of momentum. The combination of tactical discipline, swift attacking transitions, and a resolute backline has propelled them into early championship contention. Coach Kim Gi-dong’s emphasis on "results" is paying dividends, and the capital club’s supporters will be dreaming of a return to glory after years of underwhelming finishes.
As the K League 1 season gathers pace, all eyes will be on whether Seoul can maintain their blistering form and challenge for the title. With a historic three-win start and a growing sense of belief, the capital’s football faithful have every reason to be optimistic.