The 31st round of the Hana Bank K League 1 on September 27, 2025, saw high drama, pivotal results, and a few moments that will stick in the memory for fans and players alike. At Kimcheon Sports Complex, Kimcheon Sangmu continued their remarkable run of form, dispatching Pohang Steelers 2-0 in a match that not only reinforced their status as one of the season’s most consistent sides but also secured their place in the highly coveted Final A group with three regular season fixtures left to play.
Kimcheon’s victory was spearheaded by a standout performance from Lee Dong-kyung, who notched a goal and an assist, further cementing his reputation as one of the league’s most reliable attacking threats. The first half was anything but straightforward, though. Pohang thought they’d seized the initiative in the 23rd minute when Juninho found the net, only for VAR to intervene—Jorge was adjudged offside in the buildup, and the goal was chalked off. That moment seemed to sap Pohang’s early momentum, and things went from bad to worse for the visitors before halftime.
In the 41st minute, Pohang defender Lee Dong-hee was shown a straight red card after dragging down Kimcheon’s Lee Dong-jun, reducing the Steelers to ten men for the remainder of the contest. Kimcheon wasted little time capitalizing on their numerical advantage. Just sixteen minutes into the second half, Maeng Sung-woong whipped in a dangerous cross, and Lee Dong-kyung was on hand to steer it home with his left foot for his 11th goal of the season. The stadium erupted—fans knew just how crucial that breakthrough was for their club’s ambitions.
The match’s decisive moment came in the 85th minute. Lee Dong-kyung, not content with just scoring, won the ball in midfield and surged forward, splitting the defense with a perfectly weighted pass to Won Ki-jong. Won made no mistake, slotting home with his right foot to seal the 2-0 victory. According to Mania Times, “Lee Dong-kyung added an assist in the 40th minute of the second half, having stolen the ball in midfield and charged to the edge of the penalty area before setting up Won Ki-jong for the clincher.”
With the win, Kimcheon moved to 52 points, solidifying their hold on second place and maintaining a three-point cushion over Daejeon Hana Citizen. This result also marked Kimcheon’s sixth consecutive victory over Pohang, a streak that’s sure to stoke the rivalry going into the final stretch of the season. Pohang, meanwhile, remain in fourth with 48 points, their hopes of a top-two finish dented by both the defeat and the disciplinary setback.
Kimcheon’s head coach was understandably buoyant after the match, emphasizing the team’s collective spirit and the importance of seizing opportunities when they arise. “We played with confidence, and everyone contributed. The red card changed the game, but we still had to make it count. I’m proud of how the players responded,” he was quoted as saying by local media outlets.
The day’s action wasn’t limited to Kimcheon, though. Elsewhere, Ulsan HD traveled to face bottom-of-the-table Daegu FC in a match that, on paper, looked like a chance for Ulsan to snap their six-game winless run. Yet, football rarely follows the script. Daegu struck first in the 39th minute as Cesinha curled a beautiful right-footed shot into the net, sending the home fans into a frenzy. Ulsan, desperate to avoid another setback, pressed forward and finally found their equalizer in the 58th minute. Um Won-sang delivered a pinpoint cross, and Baek In-woo redirected it with his head for his first-ever K League goal—a milestone moment for the young striker.
Despite a flurry of late chances, neither side could find a winner. The 1-1 draw leaves Ulsan stuck in ninth place with 37 points, still searching for the form that made them preseason title favorites. Daegu, meanwhile, remain rooted to the foot of the table with 23 points, but the fighting spirit shown against a heavyweight opponent will give them hope as the relegation battle intensifies.
“We’re disappointed not to get the win, but proud of the effort,” Ulsan’s coach reflected in the post-match press conference. “It’s been a tough stretch, but we’ll keep working. Baek In-woo’s goal is a positive sign for the future.”
Elsewhere in the league, Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gangwon FC played out a goalless draw in a match high on effort but low on clear-cut chances. Daejeon’s point keeps them third in the standings with 49 points, while Gangwon’s rise to sixth with 42 points means they’re still very much in the hunt for a Final A berth. The defensive resilience on display was notable, with both sides snuffing out dangerous attacks and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
In a dramatic encounter between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and FC Seoul, Jeonbuk seemed poised for victory after Song Min-kyu’s late goal, only for Yeon Je-woon’s own goal in stoppage time to hand Seoul a share of the spoils. The 1-1 draw means Jeonbuk, who had already secured their place in Final A, missed an opportunity to close the gap at the top, while Seoul stay fifth with 44 points.
Looking at the bigger picture, Kimcheon’s latest triumph not only cements their status as title contenders but also highlights the depth and unpredictability of the K League 1 this season. With three games remaining before the league splits, every point is precious, and every moment can tip the balance. The race for Final A is heating up, with Gwangju FC—currently seventh on 41 points—still chasing a coveted spot among the elite.
For Kimcheon, the formula has been simple but effective: solid defense, clinical finishing, and a knack for stepping up when it matters most. The contributions of Lee Dong-kyung, both as a scorer and creator, have been invaluable, and the team’s ability to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes has set them apart. As the league heads into its decisive phase, fans can expect more twists, turns, and unforgettable moments.
With form on their side and a playoff berth secured, Kimcheon Sangmu will approach the final rounds with confidence and belief. The rest of the league will be watching closely—after all, in the K League, anything can happen.
