FC Seoul celebrated their first victory of the K League 1 season with a hard-fought 2-1 win against FC Anyang on February 22, played at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. The match marked the inaugural league meeting between the two clubs, steeped in rivalry due to historical connections.
Jesse Lingard played a pivotal role, scoring the opening goal and assisting Lukas for the second. Lingard’s initial goal came shortly after halftime, taking advantage of a fortunate deflection to put Seoul on the scoreboard. "I’m just lucky," Lingard remarked, reflecting on his goal, indicating his belief in positivity and hard work as key to his performance.
Following his early-season struggles, Seoul coach Kim Ki-dong voiced satisfaction with the win but stressed the necessity for improvements, particularly to avoid defensive mistakes, echoing his sentiments from their previous match against Jeju, where they lost 0-2. Kim noted, "We need to fix our errors because conceding too many goals will cause complications for the team" after the game.
The game attracted overwhelming support, drawing 41,415 fans, which ranks as the second-highest attendance for any K League 1 home opener, signaling strong local interest. The crowd witnessed the intensity typical of local derbies, with each side pushing hard to establish dominance early on.
Throughout the match, Seoul faced stiff competition from Anyang, who applied pressure early. Despite some early struggles, Seoul found their footing and began to impose their style as the game progressed. The coaching staff, particularly Kim, made strategic adjustments, replacing Son Seung-beom with Lukas to exploit the available space more effectively on the field.
Lingard, who has garnered attention since his arrival, highlighted the importance of treating the derby without being overly consumed by its significance. He explained, "I told the team not to get too wrapped up in the rivalry; it's just another game. We prepared as we usually do. But it's always nice to play in matches like this.”
After scoring, Lingard celebrated with a unique ritual inspired by the popular Netflix series "Squid Game," marking the touchstone of his interaction with fans—who often send him related merchandise. His celebrations resonate with the local audience, adding to the entertainment value of such matches.
Kim acknowledged the challenges Lingard faces as he adapts to the K League, noting, "While he has improved physically compared to last year, there have been some careless mistakes. Nevertheless, he is leading the team positively.” Kim’s tactical decisions to optimize player placement showed foresight, allowing Seoul to maintain pressure against Anyang.
Anyang, having recently earned promotion to K League 1 after winning K League 2 last season, aimed to carry their momentum from upsetting the championship team, Ulsan, just days earlier. Though they fell short against Seoul, which marked their first meeting at this level, the team demonstrated potential, especially with players like Choi Seong-beom, who scored their first league goal against Seoul, providing them hope for the remainder of the season.
Reflecting on the match's atmosphere, Lingard remarked on the differences between this derby and those from his time playing back home. He noted, “While the atmosphere is certainly distinct compared to English derbies, there remains the same energy and expectation of intensity. It's great to play these kinds of matches.”
The showdown between FC Seoul and FC Anyang proved to be more than just another game; it was the start of what is expected to become one of the K League's compelling rivalries, steeped in local passion and passion for football. The fans, the players, and the history behind the teams promise thrilling encounters moving forward.
Lingard’s positive outlook, combined with Kim's strategic focus on ensuring team performance solidified their aspirations for the season. Looking forward, FC Seoul appears poised to capitalize on this win, with Lingard eager to contribute to their success.