K League

The Back Post Episode 8: media reaction to K League 1 Round 7, including FC Seoul "fighting as one to break nine-year Jeonbuk Sangam jinx, " a "completely different original monster Marcao" following weightloss, Kim Dae-won opening his "scoring vein" to become Gangwon record breaker, plus much more, including TNT Corner with news of their new kits for the 2026 season! 🍕 Proudly sponsored by ⁠Record Pizza⁠, find your nearest location ⁠here⁠, and in association with ⚽ ⁠TNT FC⁠! Where to Listen Where to Watch TNT Corner View this post on Instagram A post shared by 양천구 TNT FOOTBALL CLUB (@tnt_fc)

Lucky Round 7 for some, not for others! Paul, Matt, and Alex look back at the late drama in 2026 K League 1 Round 7 before looking ahead to Round 8. In this week's episode of From Outside The Box, FC Seoul's last-gasp win over Jeonbuk, Ulsan HD's dramatic late win over Incheon United, Gimcheon Sangmu's late draw at home to FC Anyang, as well as Gangwon FC making light work of a struggling Daejeon Hana Citizen. Plus! A look ahead to the pick of the action in Round 8, the four English commentary matches: FC Seoul vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen, Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Incheon United, Ulsan HD vs. Gwangju FC, and Pohang Steelers vs. FC Anyang 🍕 Proudly sponsored by ⁠Record Pizza⁠, find your nearest location ⁠here⁠, and in association with ⚽ ⁠TNT FC⁠! 📺 Watch in full on ⁠Patreon.com/KLeagueUnited Where to Listen

The Back Post: A K League United Podcast. This latest episode looks at the media reaction and major stories from K League 1 Round 7. Dominating the headlines this week includes Stefan Mugosa firing Incheon United to their first home win of the season, Jeonbuk beating Ulsan in the 'Hyundai Family Derby', and Pohang making it back-to-back wins with a 1-0 victory at home to a floundering Daejeon. 🍕 Proudly sponsored by Record Pizza, follow on Instagram, and TNT FC. Where to Listen 📺 Watch in full on Patreon

K League 1 returns in full this weekend following the March international break, and does so with some matches between rivals. FC Anyang host FC Seoul looking for their first-ever home win over the capital club, winless Jeju SK face Bucheon FC 1995 in K League 1 for the first time, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors entertain Ulsan HD in the so-called 'Hyundai Family Derby.' Match of the Round FC Anyang seek to halt slide against leaders FC Seoul K League 1 returns this weekend following the international break, with FC Anyang hosting early pace-setters FC Seoul in Round 6. Anyang head into the contest without a win in their last three matches (D1 L2) but will hope a return to home turf can spark a change in fortunes. Despite their recent struggles, there have been encouraging signs in attack. They boast the division’s highest shots-on-target ratio, with 22 of their 44 attempts testing the goalkeeper (50%). Matheus Oliveira has been central to their forward play, scoring three goals in five appearances, while defender Thomas Oude Kotte has impressed at the back. As well as providing defensive stability, his left-footed distribution has helped launch attacks, and his willingness to carry the ball forward offers an additional outlet. Seoul, by contrast, have made a flawless start to the campaign, winning their opening four matches to sit top of the table. Their attacking strength was underlined in a 5-0 victory over Gwangju last time out, with seven players named in the Team of the Round. Defender Juan Antonio Ros has played a key role in their recent run, combining a 91.5% pass completion rate with a growing goal threat, scoring twice in his last four matches. The sides were evenly matched last season, sharing one win each and a draw in their three meetings. A similarly tight contest could be in store here, with Anyang (50%) and Seoul (48.9%) ranked first and second in shots-on-target ratio—suggesting that efficiency in front of goal may prove decisive. The match will be played at Anyang Stadium on Sunday, with kick-off at 14:00 local time. Watch live with English commentary on TV.KLeague.com Team of the Round Jeju SK still searching for first win Jeju SK remain without a win this season after conceding a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Gangwon FC in Round 5. That result extended their winless run to five matches (D2 L3) and highlighted a recurring issue. While Jeju lead the league in both clearances (177) and blocks (100), they have conceded in every game except their opener against Gwangju. Centre back Julien Célestine, a new arrival this season, has started all five matches and completed every minute so far. Building a stronger defensive understanding with Kim Geon-ung and Kim Jae-woo will be key if Jeju are to improve at the back. Their hopes this weekend may ultimately depend on greater attacking output. Jeju have scored just three goals in five matches, placing added pressure on Nam Tae-hee, Shin Sang-eun and Kim Shin-jin to deliver. Cho In-jeong, who scored from full-back in the previous round, could again offer an attacking threat from deep. Jeju host Bucheon FC 1995 on Saturday at 14:00 in what will be the clubs’ first meeting in K League 1. Jeju won all three of their previous encounters in K League 2 in 2020. Watch live on TV.KLeague.com Player of the Round Lee Dong-jun leads Jeonbuk resurgence Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have climbed to third in the table after securing back-to-back wins, recovering from a winless start to the season (D2 L1). Lee Dong-jun has been central to that turnaround, scoring three goals in the opening five matches. He netted twice on the opening day against Bucheon and followed up with the decisive goal in a win over Daejeon in Round 5. Despite not being known as a physical player, Lee has shown strength in aerial duels, while his pace and movement in behind have added variety to Jeonbuk’s attack. His most productive K League 1 campaign came in 2021 with Ulsan, when he recorded 11 goals and four assists in 32 appearances. With three goals already this season, he is on course to challenge that return. Jeonbuk face Ulsan on Saturday at 14:00 at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, having won two of their three meetings last season. Watch live with English commentary on TV.KLeague.com 2026 K League 1 Round 6 Fixtures Saturday 4th April Jeju SK vs. Bucheon FC 1995 - 14:00 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. Ulsan HD - 14:00 [ENG] Pohang Steelers vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen - 16:30 [ENG] Gangwon FC vs. Gwangju FC - 16:30 Sunday 5th April FC Anyang vs. FC Seoul - 14:00 [ENG] Incheon United vs. Gimcheon Sangmu - 16:30 [ENG] via K League press release Where to Watch Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K LEAGUE International (@kleagueintl.official) KLU Pod | From Outside The Box: 5 Teams after 5 Rounds + Round 6 Preview

Fear not, K League continues this weekend throughout the international break. The second tier reaches Round 5 with plenty of intriguing match-ups. Match of the Round Promotion hopefuls Suwon FC take on high-flying newcomers Paju New side Paju Frontier come into this round after back-to-back victories over Ansan Greeners and Jeonnam Dragons. Suwon FC have also started strongly with three straight wins, setting up what should be a tightly contested clash. Suwon FC had a rest in Round 4, potentially giving Park Kun-ha's side a physical edge. They’ve scored nine and conceded three in three matches, showing solid balance at both ends. Matheus Frizzo has emerged as the key man, with Willian, Ha Jeong-woo, and Matheus Babi providing support. Their build-up play, switching smoothly between a back three and back four led by Derlan and Lee Hyeon-yong, is another strength. In Round 3 against Gimhae FC 2008, they underlined their winning mentality with a last-gasp winner. Paju’s strength lies in their efficiency. They press with a compact defence and look to exploit gaps, a formula that has brought them consistent results. They beat Jeonnam 2-0 in Round 4 in a similar fashion. The centre back pairing of Kim Hyun-tae and Julián Bonilla has been solid, while Hong Jeong-un has impressed in midfield. Goalkeeper Kim Min-seung has also stood out with key saves, and Borja Bastón has made his presence felt in attack with goals in back-to-back games. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The match takes place on Sunday 29th at 2 PM at Suwon Sports Complex. Team of the Round Bluewings eye five straight wins Suwon Bluewings were tipped as title contenders before the season and have lived up to expectations early on. They’ve beaten Seoul E-Land, Paju Frontier, Jeonnam Dragons, and Gimhae FC 2008 to record their first-ever four-game winning start. Their biggest strength is stability. With eight goals scored and just one conceded in four matches, they’ve been strong at both ends. The defence, led by Hong Jeong-ho and Song Ju-hun, has been rock solid, while the midfield options, Jeong Ho-yeon, Park Hyun-bin, Ko Seung-beom, and Kim Min-woo, offer depth and control. Up front, they have a variety of attacking combinations. That strength was on full display in the Round 4 win over Gimhae. The defence and goalkeeper Kim Jun-hong were watertight, while the midfield trio of Jeong Ho-yeon and Park Hyun-bin, later joined by substitute Ko Seung-beom, controlled the game. In attack, Reis, Kim Ji-hyun, and Bruno Silva all contributed, while substitutes Stanislav Iljucenko and Fessin added further quality. Suwon look watertight in every department, from squad depth to tactical flexibility. They now travel to Yongin aiming for a fifth straight win on Saturday 28th at 2 PM at Yongin Mireu Stadium. Player of the Round Busan’s attacking force Cristian Renato Busan continue their strong start to the season with three wins and a draw. After finishing eighth last year, head coach Jo Sung-hwan’s switch to a back four looks to be an inspired decision. Busan lead the league in goals with 10 in four matches, and at the heart of it all is Cristian Renato. A former Brazilian Serie A player, Cristian joined Busan this season and has made an immediate impact. Starting with a goal against Seongnam FC in Round 1, he has recorded attacking returns in all four matches. He already has three goals and three assists, accounting for over half of the team’s goals. Strong in the air, mobile, direct, and hardworking, he has been one of the league’s standout performers. His influence was clear again in the Round 4 win over Daegu FC. Starting the match, he scored the winner in the 68th minute with a powerful long-range strike and registered three shots on target, underlining his clinical edge. Once again, he showed he can change a game in an instant. Busan, chasing a fourth straight win, travel to Chungbuk Cheongju this round. Although still winless, Cheongju have drawn three straight matches since their opening-day defeat, showing resilience and clear structure in their play. The match takes place on Sunday the 29th at 2 PM at Cheongju Sports Complex. 2026 K League 2 Round 5 Fixtures Saturday 28th March Yongin FC vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings - 14:00 Chungnam Asan vs. Hwaseong FC - 14:00 Seongnam FC vs. Gimpo FC - 16:30 Cheonan City vs. Jeonnam Dragons- 16:30 Ansan Greeners vs. Gyeongnam FC - 16:30 Sunday 29th March Chungbuk Cheongju vs. Busan IPark - 14:00 Suwon FC vs. Paju Citizen FC - 14:00 Daegu FC vs. Seoul E-Land - 16:30 via K League press release Where to Watch Watch all games live for free on TV.KLeague.com.

Ansan's new faces have brought a mix of international flair and optimism to Ansan following the club's dismal 2025 campaign. It has been a mixed start so far for the Greeners with a first opening win for over half a decade, but poor home form has continued. Nevertheless, Lee Moon-sik's attacking style has brought with it a lot of optimism for the season ahead. So, how have two of those new faces settled to life so far in the K League? Tim Hartzell Hartzell arrives in Ansan off the back of winning the Superettan (Swedish second division) title with Västerås SK. Making 20 appearances, the towering the centre back also showed his goal threat by pitching in some match winning assists as his side clinched the title by a single point. Joining Ansan off the back of such a poor season last year, Hartzell reflects that he saw the results but there have been a lot of changes. In fact it was discussions with coach Choi Moon-sik that set the tone for that was to be expected, with a focussed and exciting plan for the season. Indeed the whole mood around the Wa Stadium seems different this season, with Tim stating there is "a very good mood in the team." Of course arriving in a new country is always a challenge, in particular as Hartzell's career has been spent in Scandinavia. However, the support has been great, especially from Felipe de Paula who works as the team translator at Ansan. Felipe himself has K League 2 experience, scoring 5 times in a stint at Goyang Zaicro in 2017. Tim also notes the role of his agents, as well as the wider Ansan staff in ensuring that the transition to Korea was a smooth one. In addition, Hartzell could also call upon friends in the league itself. Of note, he played with Bucheon midfielder Kazuki Takahashi at Swedish side AFC Eskilstuna. Kazuki assured Tim that he would have a good experience in Korea, offering positive advice with it being “a very good league.” This is echoed by other players and Tim’s own experiences with the K2 so far, noting that it is different from playing in Sweden and Denmark but it is “a high-quality league.” One of the big differences with Scandinavia is the Korean summer, and Hartzell notes that he has heard a lot about it, but he is prepared and even looking forward to it! Of course, the challenge for Ansan in the K2 is a difficult one and Tim reflects pragmatically that the goal is to: “Stay humble and keep working hard.” [READ: Kazuki Takahashi on the 2025 Play-off promotion chase] Tim Hartzell clears the lines against Busan I'Park Machop Chol Born in Khartoum but raised in the US, Machop has played at Wake Forest academy, as did former Greener Burno Lapa, and was picked up for Atlanta United, scoring in the MLS against Toronto and New England. His football journey has also taken him to Lithuania with Zalgiris, and he has been called up 4 times by the South Sudanese team. Machop managed his first goal in front of the home fans against Busan, reflecting that it “It felt good.” Indeed, the humble and pragmatic approach espoused by Hartzell is reflected in Machop who analysed his performance: “[I] Had some opportunities I wish I could have capitalised on but overall, a good feeling, but I just wish we’d have got a result today." His target for the season is to just focus on "helping the team and getting positive results." Following defeat to Busan Machop noted that of course the team is down but “there’s many points to be happy about we played well in certain moments and also got some things that we can learn from as well.” Can Ansan push on this season? Machop thinks so, the team does not like to lose and “there’s a lot of hunger in this group.” [READ: Bruno Lapa on the K League 2] Machop Chol celebrates his first goal for Ansan with the home fans

From Outside The Box continues with the shorter-than-usual offering due to the midweek matches. Paul & Alex give short roundups of the three matches they covered in midweek on commentary for K League TV. Paul and Alex recap the pick of the Round 4 action, the first midweek set of fixtures of the 2026 K League 1 season. Both Daejeon Hana Citizen and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors got their first wins of the new season, and there was late drama in Gimcheon, where the army side earned a late draw. Where to Listen About the Podcast From Outside The Box is a relaxed, insight-driven podcast from K League United, proudly sponsored by Record Pizza and TNT FC. Join K League TV commentators Matthew Binns, Paul Neat, and Alex Jensen as they draw from their weekly notes, observations, and offer peeks into their behind-the-scenes experiences from the commentary box to break down K League 1, offering honest opinions, tactical talk, and real stories from outside the commentary box, every week. The first few episodes of this new initiative will also be available on The K League United Podcast stream before switching over to the new channels which you can find below: Listen and Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also follow on Instagram.

Round 5 of the 2026 K League 1 season sees teams looking to protect their perfect starts to the season with FC Seoul hosting Gwangju FC and Ulsan HD taking on Gimcheon, as well as others looking to build on their first wins in a huge, early-season clash of the title contenders when Daejeon Hana Citizen host Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. Match of the Round Daejeon and Jeonbuk both chasing momentum Round 5 sees Daejeon Hana Citizen take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, just a month on from their Super Cup meeting ahead of the new season. Both sides come into this clash on the back of their first league wins of the campaign, secured in midweek in Round 4, and will be keen to build on that renewed momentum. Daejeon ended a run of three consecutive draws at the start of the season with a 3-1 victory over Incheon United last time out. Masatoshi Ishida, Diogo Oliveira and Um Won-sang all opened their accounts for the season, with Um particularly influential after coming off the bench in the 77th minute to register a goal and an assist. Seo Jin-su, the team’s leading scorer with two goals, also added to his tally of attacking contributions by setting up Masa’s opener. Daejeon currently lead the league in successful dribbles (14), underlining their strength in one-on-one attacking situations. Their dynamic forward line, led by Seo Jin-soo, João Victor and Um Won-sang, is expected to play a key role once again. Jeonbuk, meanwhile, also claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Anyang. Bruno Mota struck a dramatic late winner in the 86th minute against his former club, while Lee Seung-woo impressed with his lively dribbling. In midfield, Oberdan, Kim Jin-gyu and Maeng Seong-ung provided composure and control. Jeonbuk have boasted the highest pass completion rate in the league this season (87.9%), allowing them to dominate possession and dictate matches. With the pressure of securing that first win now lifted, they will be confident of pushing on. Jeonbuk held the upper hand in last season’s meetings between the sides, recording three wins and a draw, and also ran out 2–0 winners in this season’s Super Cup. With both teams now up and running, this fixture could prove an early turning point in shaping their campaigns. The match takes place at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Saturday at 2 PM, and has English commentary. Watch live on K League TV [ENG]: here Team of the Round Ulsan HD following three wins from three Ulsan HD continued their perfect start with a 2-0 win over Jeju SK in midweek, making it three consecutive victories to open the season. After scoring 42 goals and conceding 50 across 38 matches last season, Ulsan have shown far greater balance this term, with seven goals scored and just two conceded in their opening three games. Yago Cariello has been the standout performer, netting four of the team’s seven goals to lead the scoring charts, while last season’s K League 1 MVP Lee Dong-gyeong has contributed one goal and two assists, registering attacking returns in all three matches so far. If the pair maintain this form, more goals are likely to follow. Defensively, Ulsan have deployed a back four featuring Choi Seok-hyeon and Cho Hyun-taek out wide, with Kim Young-gwon, Lee Jae-ik and Jung Seung-hyun centrally. Jung Seung-hyun, making his first start of the season against Jeju, impressed with a solid display and a goal. However, Kim Young-gwon was forced off with an injury in that match, leaving his availability in doubt. Maintaining defensive cohesion, likely centred around Lee Jae-ik and Jung Seung-hyun, will be crucial to sustaining their winning run. Ulsan face Gimcheon Sangmu in Round 5, with the match scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. Watch live on K League TV: here Player of the Round Cho Young-wook has found his scoring touch FC Seoul made it three wins from three with a 1-0 victory over Pohang in Round 4, with Cho Young-wook scoring the decisive goal. Having opened his account on the opening day against Incheon, Cho has carried that momentum into the early part of the season. Notably, all four of his shots so far have been on target, yielding two goals, a testament to his clinical finishing. Now in his ninth professional season since debuting in 2018, Cho’s best K League 1 return to date is eight goals in 36 appearances (2021). On current form, he looks well placed to surpass that mark this season. Seoul face Gwangju next, having won two of their three meetings last season. The match will be played on Sunday at 2 PM at Seoul World Cup Stadium and will have English commentary. Watch live on K League TV [ENG]: here 2026 K League 1 Round 5 Fixtures Saturday 21st March Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - 14:00 [ENG] Sunday 22nd March FC Seoul vs. Gwangju FC - 14:00 [ENG] Ulsan HD vs. Gimcheon Sangmu - 14:00 FC Anyang vs. Incheon United - 16:30 Gangwon FC vs. Jeju SK - 16:30 Pohang Steelers vs. Bucheon FC 1995 - 16:30 [ENG] Via K League press release Where to Watch Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K LEAGUE International (@kleagueintl.official)

The first midweek action of the 2026 K League 1 season sees seven teams go in search of their first wins of the season, including Incheon United at home to Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gimcheon Sangmu hosting Gwangju FC. Match of the Round Pohang eye first win as FC Seoul chase third straight victory Round 4 sees Pohang Steelers take on FC Seoul. Pohang currently sit ninth after drawing their opening two matches, while Seoul are second in the table after back-to-back league wins. In the last 10 meetings between the sides, Pohang hold a slight edge with three wins, five draws and two defeats. They also had the upper hand last season, recording two wins, one draw and one loss. Pohang have drawn both of their opening games and are still searching for their first victory of the season. This year they have shown to be aggressive with their press, posting a 50% tackle success rate in the attacking third. They have also performed well in aerial duels in attacking areas, with a success rate of 56.2%. However, they have lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. FC Seoul, meanwhile, claimed a dramatic 2-1 win over Jeju SK in Round 3, with Lee Seung-mo scoring the winner just before full time to secure their second consecutive K League victory of the season. The capital side have been efficient in attack, registering 26 shots and 13 on target across their first two matches. Their crossing success rate of 26.3% ranks second in the league, highlighting their strong wing play. Wide players such as Song Min-kyu, Moon Seon-min and Jung Seung-won have been particularly influential. New signing Song Min-kyu has made an immediate impact, recording one goal and one assist in two appearances. Having previously thrived under head coach Kim Gi-dong at Pohang, Song has quickly established himself at Seoul as well. The match will take place on Wednesday 18th March at 7:30 PM KST at Pohang Steel Yard. Watch live on K League TV: here Team of the Round Incheon target revenge for first win of the season Incheon United ended a run of defeats with a 1-1 draw away to Pohang in Round 3. Having earned a valuable point on the road, they now return home looking to claim their first win of the campaign. Incheon showed attacking intent in their previous two matches, recording 17 shots against Gwangju in Round 2 and 11 against Pohang in Round 3. However, they were left frustrated after failing to convert key chances. Stefan Mugosa has been in strong form, registering two goals and one assist, contributing an attacking return in every match so far. New arrivals Oh Hu-seong and Seo Jae-min have also shown promise in attack. If Gerso Fernandes and Park Seung-ho rediscover their scoring touch, Incheon could be capable of producing a high-scoring performance in this round. Defensively, however, Incheon have looked vulnerable. They conceded two goals against Seoul in Round 1, three against Gwangju in Round 2 and one against Pohang in Round 3. In each of their three matches they have allowed at least four shots inside the penalty area, meaning defensive concentration in front of goal will be crucial if they are to secure a win this week. Incheon face Daejeon in Round 4, the team that condemned them to relegation in Round 37 of the 2024 season. The match is scheduled for Wednesday 18th March at 7:30 PM at Incheon Football Stadium. Watch live on K League TV with English commentary: here Player of the Round Gimcheon Sangmu's defensive marshal, Lee Jung-taek Gimcheon Sangmu extended their unbeaten start to the season with a 1-1 draw against Daejeon in Round 3, making it three consecutive draws. Central defender Lee Jung-taek was a standout performer, delivering an excellent display at both ends of the pitch. After producing a composed performance against Jeonbuk in Round 2 that earned him a place in the Round’s Best XI, Lee once again impressed in Round 3 against his parent club Daejeon. Facing physically strong foreign forwards such as Gustav Ludwigson and Diogo Oliveira, Lee held his own by recording three successful aerial duels, six blocks and eight clearances. A versatile player capable of operating as a defensive midfielder, centre-back or full-back, Lee also contributed going forward. In the 41st minute, he provided the assist for Lee Geon-hee’s opening goal. He further underlined his influence with 10 successful passes into the attacking third and 19 successful forward passes. Gimcheon face Gwangju in this round. Last season, Gimcheon recorded two draws and one defeat in three meetings with Gwangju. Attention will be on whether Lee Jung-taek can help his side break that winless run. The match will be played on Tuesday 17th March at 7:30 PM at Gimcheon Sports Complex Stadium. Watch live on K League TV with English commentary: here 2026 K League 1 Round 4 Fixtures Tuesday 17th March Gimcheon Sangmu vs. Gwangju FC - 19:30 [ENG] Wednesday 18th March Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Gangwon FC - 7:30 PM Incheon United vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen - 7:30 PM [ENG] Jeju SK vs. Ulsan HD - 7:30 PM Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors vs. FC Anyang 7:30 PM [ENG] Pohang Steelers vs. FC Seoul 7:30 PM Where to Watch Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K LEAGUE International (@kleagueintl.official)

The 2026 K League 2 season continues this weekend with a clash between two promotion favourites in Suwon Bluewings and Jeonnam Dragons, Busan IPark face Seoul E-Land, and Daegu FC host Chungnam Asan in what's expected to be an action-packed Round 3. Match of the Round: Early Promotion Test Both Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Jeonnam Dragons have produced impressive performances in the opening weeks of the season. Suwon have made the expected strong start with two consecutive victories, while Jeonnam showed their resilience despite suffering defeat in Round 2 following a dominant opening-day win. The outcome of this encounter could offer an early indication of the balance of power in K League 2. Suwon claimed a 2-1 victory over Seoul E-Land in Round 1 before edging Paju Frontier 1-0 in Round 2 to maintain their perfect start. However, the win over Paju was not without difficulties. Suwon struggled at times against Paju’s well-organised defensive structure and counterattacks, and found themselves having to dig in to defend several dangerous opportunities. One positive was the performance of new signing Jeong Ho-yeon, who impressed after coming off the bench and brought stability to the midfield. Bruno Silva also demonstrated his potential as an attacking option for manager Lee Jung-hyo, underlining Suwon’s overall strength. Jeonnam, meanwhile, followed up their emphatic 4-1 opening-day win against Gyeongnam FC with a 4-2 defeat to Daegu in Round 2. Despite the loss, the side displayed a clear attacking identity. Jeong Ji-yong’s pace and the presence of Honan in attack were particularly notable, while Valdivia contributed with an assist. However, Jeonnam struggled to respond to Daegu’s substitutions and conceded two goals in similar fashion to Edgar. With Suwon also boasting several players capable of decisive individual moments, how Jeonnam adapt defensively will be crucial. Suwon have dominated the recent head-to-head record, winning four and drawing two of the teams’ last six meetings over the past two years. However, with both clubs under new management, their first meeting under the current coaches could produce a different dynamic. Suwon and Jeonnam meet on Saturday, 14 March at 2:00 PM at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Team of the Round: Busan IPark Busan IPark secured an impressive 3-1 victory away to Ansan in Round 2, scoring two dramatic late goals. The result was even more striking, considering Ansan had opened their season with a 4-1 win. Busan adopted a significantly different tactical approach compared with last season, firing 27 shots at the Ansan goal on their way to claiming all three points. The key to Busan’s attacking improvement has been a shift in formation. Last year, they relied largely on a three-centre-back system focused on defensive stability, but this season they have lined up with a back four in both of their opening matches. Jang Ho-ik and Woo Joo-sung have anchored the defence, while the full-backs have been encouraged to push forward and support the attack. In midfield, Lee Dong-su has taken on defensive duties while Kim Min-hyuk has provided creativity in orchestrating attacks. New signing Cristian Renato has also made an immediate impact, scoring in both of his first two matches. If additional attacking options such as Gabriel and Baek Ga-on continue to regain match fitness, Busan’s attacking threat could grow even further. Busan, now embracing a more attacking style, travel to face Seoul E-Land in this round. The two teams were evenly matched last season, with one win each and one draw. Notably, the three matches produced a combined total of 12 goals, suggesting another high-scoring contest could be on the cards. Busan face Seoul E-Land on Saturday, 14 March at 2:00 PM at Mokdong Stadium. Player of the Round: Daegu FC's Edgar Daegu FC have opened the season with back-to-back home victories. Their momentum grew even stronger after a thrilling 4-2 comeback win over Jeonnam in Round 2, with substitute Edgar playing a decisive role. The two sides were level at 2–2 at halftime before Daegu head coach Kim Byung-soo made a bold decision at the start of the second half. He introduced Edgar in place of left midfielder Park Gi-hyeon in an attacking change that proved crucial. Edgar delivered the breakthrough, scoring twice in quick succession in the 70th and 76th minutes to secure a 4-2 victory for Daegu. Both goals highlighted the Brazilian striker’s aerial dominance. One came from a powerful header, while the other was a deft redirection that required only a slight touch to guide the ball into the net. Edgar also demonstrated his overall influence by winning seven of his nine aerial duels. He attempted five shots in total, four of which were on target, showcasing his clinical finishing. In recognition of his performance, Edgar was named the season’s first Round MVP. Daegu, aiming for a third consecutive victory, travel to face Chungnam Asan in this round. Chungnam Asan defeated Paju 3-2 in their opening match before sitting out Round 2. The match will take place on Sunday, 15 March at Yi Sun-sin Stadium in Asan. 2026 K League 2 Round 3 Fixtures Saturday 14th March Gimhae FC 2008 vs. Suwon FC - 2:00 PM Seoul E-Land vs. Busan IPark - 2:00 PM Suwon Samsung Bluewings vs. Jeonnam Dragons - 2:00 PM Yongin FC vs. Gimpo FC - 4:30 PM Gyeongnam FC vs. Chungbuk Cheongju - 4:30 PM Sunday 15th March Chungnam Asan vs. Daegu FC - 2:00 PM Ansan Greeners vs. Paju Frontier - 2:00 PM Hwaseong FC vs. Cheonan City - 4:30 PM Where to Watch Watch all matches live on TV.KLeague.com.

Daegu FC have bolstered their attacking options with the signing of giant Welsh striker Marcus Dackers from Scottish side Kilmarnock FC. The 6ft 7in forward is expected to go straight into the squad for Daegu’s trip to Chungnam Asan on Sunday. K League United’s Stuart Warren runs the (very long) rule over their new signing. (Image via Daegu FC) Dackers arrives at Daegu after a period in the Scottish Premier League, where he scored four goals in 30 appearances for Kilmarnock, with the last of those coming in the form of a late equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Livingston back in January. The striker started his career in the youth setup at Manchester City, before moving on to Brighton and Hove Albion. After failing to make the breakthrough at the Amex Stadium, he signed for League 2 side Salford City in 2021, where he went on to make 15 appearances, as well as enjoying a number of loan moves to non-league sides, most notably Altrincham, Southend United, and Morecambe in the National League. After failing to secure a new deal at Salford, he then moved north of the border to Kilmarnock. The signing of Dackers is also a somewhat historic one for the Sky Blues, as he will be the first British player to play for the club, and only the fifth European ever to do so. In fact, the last player from Europe to pull on the sky blue was some 17 years ago; Serbian striker Lazar Popović, whose time at the club lasted just a few months. (Image via Daegu FC) So what can the Daegu expect to see from their new front man? Despite his size, Dackers has many other strengths and is considered a good all-round footballer. He possesses a good first touch, quick feet, and also pace. During his unveiling at the club’s stadium on Wednesday, when asked what he would bring to the team, he was quoted as saying, “Firstly, I will work really hard for the team. I will look to receive the ball from the midfielders and defenders and bring other players into the play. I will also look to run in behind. I'm very tall, but I have good mobility for my size. I'll look to use my size and my speed as well to impact the game as much as possible.” With Daegu coming off the back of a 4-2 victory over Jeonnam Dragons last weekend, and already boasting high quality attacking personnel in the shape of Cesinha, Edgar, Serafin, Park Dae-hoon, and Park In-hyeok, it will be interesting to see how quickly Dackers can force his way into the starting line up, or if he has to bide his time in an area of the field which is already overloaded. He will certainly offer something different, though, and may well be very useful as an impact substitute over the coming weeks. It remains to be seen how well Dackers will fit into Daegu’s system and Korean football in general, but one thing is for sure: he can certainly give the Sky Blues a markedly different option in the final third as they look to gain promotion back to K League 1.

This Sunday, Incheon United will travel to Pohang Steelers’ Steel Yard in search of their first points of the season. Without a point in their first two games, the Blue-Black will be looking to finally get their season started. Standing in their way is a side that regularly challenges for continental football. The Story So Far Pohang have only played once this year: an away fixture against Gimcheon Sangmu. The game finished 1–1 and was a fairly cagey affair. The home side took the lead early before Pohang found an equaliser. Pohang were then reduced to ten men but managed to hold on for a point. Their game last weekend against Gangwon was postponed due to Gangwon's involvement in the AFC Champions League Elite. The game will be played on 28 March. Incheon, fresh off their promotion from K League 2 last year, had high hopes coming into the season. However, this has yet to pan out. A difficult defeat in the first game back against FC Seoul followed by a loss on the road in Gwangju means that they are one of only two teams in the division not to have earned a point thus far. With the next three fixtures looking equally tricky, Incheon face the prospect of failing to pick up a point in their first month back in the top division. [READ: Round 3 Preview] Head to Head Pohang and Incheon have met on 46 occasions, with the home side having the far superior record in these outings. Pohang have won 23 of the meetings to Incheon's nine, with 14 games ending level. Incheon's last win in the Steelyard was almost three years ago, in April 2023. Pohang have won four of the last six meetings between the teams, with two ending in a draw. Pohang's biggest win in this fixture was a 5-0 hammering in October 2017. Opposing Views This week, I sat down with Claire, our Pohang columnist, to discuss her thoughts on the game and the season ahead. Luke: Pohang have only played once so far, and had last weekend off. Do you think this will be a benefit or a hindrance coming into the Incheon game? Claire: I think it should be a benefit, or at least not a hindrance. It feels as if Pohang have had a bit of a false start to the season, playing once and then immediately having our Round 2 fixture rescheduled, but it does mean that fans will be really up for it, and hopefully the players are too. In terms of matchday atmosphere, I think it helps that our Round 1 match was away, so there's a real sense of anticipation ahead of what is now our home opener, especially as some parts of the stadium have been newly renovated in the off-season and will be open to fans for the first time this weekend. The crowd should be lively, so we just need the team to match the energy and deliver a result. Claire: First off, welcome back to K League 1. Incheon and their fans have got used to winning after a dominant season in K League 2. (How) has the brief sojourn in the second flight affected fans’ approach to the new season, and how will the club keep people on board when the wins aren’t coming as easily? Luke: I think the fans will give the club a grace period to readjust, especially since the opening fixtures are so tough. That said, there was still an expectation of a mid-table finish, with plenty of talk from the club to back that up. We’ve seen a massive turnover of around thirty players, and while I’m not sure how sustainable that is, the squad clearly needs time to mesh. How will the fans react if things haven’t improved following the March international break? That’s the big question. During the 2024 relegation season, the fans didn’t turn on the club or the players until the very end. Whether we’d see a similar level of patience this time around remains to be seen—but hopefully it won’t come to that. Luke: You went to the game in Gimcheon. How was Pohang's performance and did you feel a draw was a fair result? Was there anything you saw that made you optimistic for the year? Claire: Gimcheon away is always a tough fixture for us, but even so, it was one of those where I felt we should take the one point and be jolly well grateful for it. We conceded very early in the first half, and I spent the rest of the match with a sense of foreboding that I know perhaps a little too well as a Pohang and Everton supporter, but we clawed back an equaliser and held on until the end even after going down to ten men. Some of the players definitely showed tenacity and focus, but perhaps not until too late in the game. Unusually for the Steelers, the defence looked unsettled, and the overall work rate was disappointing. Sorry, did you ask a Pohang fan to be optimistic? I was pleased to see Pohang players actually attempting to shoot in situations where sometimes, in recent months, the ball has been endlessly passed around the edge of the box before eventually finding its way back to the goalkeeper for no good reason. There were moments of promise from some of the younger players in the squad, not to mention Jakob Tranziska scoring on his debut. His first touch was clumsy, but fans in the away end were soon commenting on his effort and stamina; the lad must have run miles just trying to get involved; he was locked in, and the goal felt deserved. More of that, please. Claire: 2026 has started with back-to-back losses. Meanwhile fellow promoted side Bucheon already have a win and a draw to their name. How important is it for Incheon to start getting points on the board early in the season, and where are those points going to come from? Luke: Bucheon’s start has been incredible; winning away at the champions and nearly taking a point from Daejeon in Round 2. They’re doing all this on a fraction of Incheon’s budget, too. From an Incheon point of view before the season, I think we would have targeted Gwangju and Anyang away for wins, plus hoped for a point or two against Seoul, Daejeon, or Pohang. But after losing to Seoul in that manner—and then the VAR incident at Gwangju—we’re now at the stage where we just need a win by any means necessary. You'd hope something clicks in the next three games, but honestly, we could be sitting bottom without any points by Round 5. The only realistic goal this year is avoiding twelfth, but regardless, Incheon need to start getting some points on the board. Claire: Having watched them play in the first two rounds, do you think Incheon have been unlucky or fairly beaten? Are there any particular on-pitch weaknesses or areas for concern already arising, and if so what changes are you hoping to see this weekend? Luke: I wouldn't say Incheon have been well-beaten in either game, but they have been naive. There have been a lot of sloppy passes from the defence and the midfield, and as a result, our front line hasn't had much opportunity. I'd like to see us play a little more directly and try to mix up our style. The club’s talk of a top-half finish always felt premature to me. After a year away, the priority has to be re-establishing ourselves. Other clubs will target us as 'beatable' simply because we’re the promoted side, and we have to shut that down immediately. We need to cultivate a grittier image and become more difficult to play against, stronger on the ball, and start physically bullying teams off it. The first two games were littered with individual errors that cost us. Kim Dong-heon and the backline need to be much smarter in possession. It comes down to the K League 1 learning curve: in the second division, the defence had time to play out from the back, but that same style is being punished at this level. We have to adapt, and fast. [Listen: The Back Post (Ep. 2)] Luke: Over the close season, there wasn't a huge amount of transfer activity for Pohang. Are there any weaknesses you think should have been addressed? Claire: The departure of Oberdan is a huge loss for Pohang, especially given his position right at the core of the squad, and I think beyond his skill and vision, perhaps we have taken for granted his ability to play, and play well, for a full 90 minutes, week in week out. Looking at our midfield now, I'm not sure if there's anyone who can do that. Nobody doubts Ki Sung-yueng's talent, but he isn't getting any younger — then again, even accounting for his time spent overseas he has far more K League 1 experience than the rest of our midfielders combined (Kim Beom-jun, who has just signed his first professional contract with the Steelers, hadn't been born yet when Ki made his K League debut). There's a lot of pressure on Nishiya Kento to fill the Oberdan-shaped gap, and maybe he will prove himself as the season goes on, but for the time being, it feels like there is an inherent instability, knowing the entire midfield will probably need to be subbed off. That comes at the cost of a change or two elsewhere, too. We're also potentially quite vulnerable to injury in that area, and may find ourselves relying on some youngsters to really step up a level. But hey, at least we have five goalkeepers! Luke: For the last four or five years, you've been consistently in the top half and even challenging for honours. What does a good season look like for Pohang this year? Claire: In terms of end results, I think the major aim is to qualify for the ACLE [Asian Champions League Elite]. To do that, we need to be more consistent within the season. Our next eight league fixtures are all at home then we're on the road until the end of July so I think it's going to be important for us to get as many points as we can over the next few weeks, make the Steelyard a place that other teams dread, and build momentum and confidence to carry us through that long run of away matches. Claire: Incheon don’t have a great track record against Pohang, especially at the Steelyard. What will be different this time? Luke: I'm hoping that the first two rounds act as a catalyst both for the manager and the team. Even though we control the ball and have lots of possession, we don't do a lot with it. We lose it and then we get punished. Seo Jae-min has been a stand-out so far and looks to be an exciting player. Oh Hu-seong is another shrewd signing. I'd hope that as these two players settle, they'll be the ones to create chances for the team. We definitely need to be more clinical; we need to start taking more risks and being more creative in the final third. Incheon haven't had a lot of attacking output so far, managing just six shots on target (minus penalties) across 180 minutes of football. Teams are happy to let us have the ball because they know we won't do much with it! Luke: Pohang are favourites and Incheon haven't won in their last five. Is this going to be an easy home win? Claire: I say it's a win, but Pohang lately have a habit of making things difficult. It's what the romantics call 'Park Tae-ha drama'. I'd like it to be an easy win, it should be an easy win, but I wouldn't be surprised to see us throw away an early lead and just barely stay in it (maybe even go behind) in the second half, causing half the home end to walk out and miss a Jorge injury time winner. Or something. Afterwards I'll say things like "what a match" and "that's why I love football" but what I'll really mean is "I hated this" and "just for once, please, could we win 5-0". Luke: I'd love a point, but I'm expecting a 3-1 Pohang win. Coverage Fans in Korea can watch Sunday's game on JTBC SPORTS or via Coupang Play. Fans outside will be able to tune into K League TV, with English commentary courtesy of K League United's Matt Binns. The game kicks off at 4.30pm KST.

In Round 2 of the Hana Bank K League 1 season, unbeaten Gwangju FC take on yet-to-win Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, unbeaten Bucheon FC 1995 host a returning-to-action Ulsan HD, yet-to-win but still unbeaten Daejeon Hana Citizen entertain Gimcheon Sangmu, while Pohang Steelers welcome Incheon United to the Steel Yard for their home opener in what will be seen as the pick of the action. Match of the Round: Unbeaten Start vs. Yet to Win Gwangju FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors In Round 3, unbeaten Gwangju FC will face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who are still looking for their first win of the season. In the last five meetings between the two teams, though, Jeonbuk hold the advantage with two wins, two draws, and one loss. Home side Gwangju currently have a record of one win and one draw. In Round 1 against Jeju SK, they failed to secure victory despite having a man advantage after Italo's red card. However, in Round 2 against Incheon United, they found the back of the net three times, first through Choi Kyung-rok, followed by and a brace from Shin Chang-mu. Thanks to a penalty save by goalkeeper Kim Kyeong-min just before the final whistle and deep into added time, Gwangju secured a 3–2 win. Shin Chang-mu has been particularly impressive this season, recording two goals and five key passes and playing a central role in the team’s attack under new head coach Lee Jung-kyu. Gwangju will be aiming to maintain their early momentum, despite hosting last season's champions. Jeonbuk, on the other hand, have had a somewhat sluggish start to the season. They lost 3-2 at home to Bucheon FC 1995 in Round 1 and drew 1-1 with Gimcheon Sangmu in Round 2, meaning they are still searching for their first win of the season. Having conceded goals in both matches, defensive stability seems to be an issue following key departures from the back line. On a positive note, Lee Dong-jun has scored two goals this season, starting the new season as he ended the last. Midfielder Maeng Seong-ung has also been active on both ends of the pitch, recording a 93.9% pass success rate and 13 successful tackles. Jeonbuk will be looking to turn their early-season form around by claiming their first victory of the season. Both teams began the new season under new head coaches, making this the first meeting between Gwangju’s Lee Jung-kyu and Jeonbuk’s Chung Jung-yong. Watch live with English commentary: here Team of the Round: Rebellious Bucheon Bucheon FC 1995 drew 1–1 with Daejeon Hana Citizen in Round 2. After defeating defending champions Jeonbuk 3-2 on their K League 1 bow, they followed it up with apoint against last season’s runners-up Daejeon. Bucheon have been steadily collecting points with impressive performances early in their first season after promotion. The player leading Bucheon’s rise is Jefferson Galego. After registering two goals and one assist in the opening match, Galego also converted a penalty against Daejeon, bringing his tally to three goals and one assist in just two games. Last season, he scored six and assisted four in 28 K League 2 matches, including the promotion playoffs. This season in K League 1, he has shown even sharper attacking ability, raising expectations for a career-best year. Defensively, veteran Baek Dong-gyu anchors the back line, forming a compact defensive block with Hong Sung-wook and Patrick William, demonstrating solid organization. Veteran midfielder Yoon Bit-garam, who joined Bucheon this season, has also quickly integrated into the team and is contributing both offensively and defensively. With a strong team structure early in the season, Bucheon are determined to continue their unbeaten run in this round as well. This weekend they host Ulsan HD. Watch live with English commentary: here Player of the Round: Debut Goal Tranziska Pohang Steelers earned a point with a 1-1 draw against Gimcheon in the season opener. In that match, Jakob Tranziska stood out by scoring on his K League debut, signaling a promising season ahead. Tranziska is a forward standing at 189 cm tall, and despite being only 23 years old, he has experience of playing several European leagues, including Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic, before joining Pohang this season. Coming on as a substitute in the second half against Gimcheon, Tranziska energized Pohang's attack with his work rate and link-up play, and scored a point-securing equalizer in the 55th minute. Tranziska is a versatile attacker capable of playing both as a central striker and as a winger. With Jorge Teixeira sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Tranziska’s quick adaptation has become a major boost for manager Park Tae-ha. Strong in duels and with bold dribbling, Tranziska will be one to watch this weekend. Watch live with English commentary: here 2026 K League 1 Round 3 Fixtures Gwangju FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - Saturday, March 14, 2:00 PM [ENG] Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Gimcheon Sangmu - Saturday, March 14, 4:30 PM [ENG] Bucheon FC 1995 vs. Ulsan HD - Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM [ENG] Jeju SK vs. FC Seoul - Sunday, March 15, 2:00 PM Gangwon FC vs. FC Anyang - Sunday, March 15, 4:30 PM Pohang Steelers vs. Incheon United - Sunday, March 15, 4:30 PM [ENG] via K League press release Where to Watch Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated. View this post on Instagram A post shared by K LEAGUE International (@kleagueintl.official)

The drama continued into Round 2 of the 2026 K League 1 season with more late goals. There were some surprise results, some of which may mean a reevaluation of the season predictions. This week's From Outside The Box takes a look at the pick of the action from the second match week of the season and previews Round 3. Paul, Matt, and Alex are back from the commentary box to talk about how their commentary prep and approach have changed over the last few years, and the pros and cons of attempting to go paper-free. They recap the pick of the action from 2026 K League 1 Round 2, following plenty of late drama and some surprising results for teams that had been written off by some. Gwangju FC survived a late, late Incheon United penalty to seal their first win of the season, Gimcheon Sangmu earned a very credible draw at home to champions Jeonbuk, Bucheon FC 1995 remain unbeaten following a 1-1 draw at home to title contenders Daejeon Hana Citizen, and FC Anyang left it very late to earn a home win over Jeju SK. Attention then turns to Round 3 with Daejeon hosting Gimcheon, Gwangju taking on Jeonbuk, Pohang Steelers back in action against Incheon, and Ulsan returning to the field to travel to Bucheon. Where to Listen About the Podcast From Outside The Box is a relaxed, insight-driven podcast from K League United, proudly sponsored by Record Pizza and TNT FC. Join K League TV commentators Matthew Binns, Paul Neat, and Alex Jensen as they draw from their weekly notes, observations, and offer peeks into their behind-the-scenes experiences from the commentary box to break down K League 1, offering honest opinions, tactical talk, and real stories from outside the commentary box, every week. The first few episodes of this new initiative will also be available on The K League United Podcast stream before switching over to the new channels which you can find below: Listen and Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also follow on Instagram.

In Round 2 of the 2026 K League 2 season, there's a first meeting in nearly eight years between Daegu FC and Jeonnam Dragons, with both teams looking to build on Round 1 wins, Ansan Greeners take on Busan IPark in their home opener with the aim of continuing their hot start, while Suwon FC take om newcomers Yongin FC. Match of the Round Daegu FC vs. Jeonnam Dragons These two teams meet again after quite some time. Daegu FC and Jeonnam Dragons, who both secured three points in their opening matches, will face each other for the first time since 2018. As both sides were considered contenders for the upper half of the table before the season began, this clash could have a significant impact on the early standings. Daegu defeated Hwaseong 1–0 in their season opener. However, their overall performance still looked like a work in progress. Under head coach Kim Byung-soo, the team showed defensive stability with a back four, but aside from the goal, their attacking buildup lacked some precision. Cesinha was not yet at full fitness, and Park Dae-hoon’s injury is another concern. On the positive side, a new attacking route utilizing Matheus Serafim appeared promising. Hwang Jae-won’s aggressive overlapping runs from the right flank also created dangerous situations. Jeonnam enjoyed an impressive opening match by defeating Gyeongnam 4–1. The game’s flow was heavily influenced by an early red card for the opposing goalkeeper just five minutes into the first half, giving Jeonnam a numerical advantage for most of the contest. Their attacking pattern of quickly exploiting open space proved highly effective. Choi Han-sol and Yoon Min-ho provided balance in midfield, while Valdivia supplied creative passes for Kim Beom-su and Jeong Ji-yong to finish with their pace. If they can maintain the same level of attacking sharpness shown in the opener, Jeonnam could emerge as a serious promotion contender this season. There is also strong interest in the matchup between Cesinha and Valdivia, the symbolic leaders of their respective teams. Each wears the captain’s armband and plays a major role in guiding his team. The duel between these two aces could have a major influence on the flow of the match. Team of the Round Ansan Greeners (vs. Busan IPark) Ansan Greeners, who finished bottom of the table last season, surprised everyone in their opening match. They delivered a powerful start by defeating Gimhae 4–1 away from home. It was Ansan’s first opening-day victory since 2020, and scoring four goals in a single match marks only the third time in the club’s history. The performance of their new foreign players was particularly notable. In defense, Milan Obradovic and Tim Hartzell managed the game with stability, while in attack, Marlon stood out with his directness. Substitute Jung Hyun-woo’s two goals were also a major positive. Even after conceding the opening goal, the Green Wolves did not lose composure and controlled the game through sharp passing play, showing a clear difference from last season. While the team previously tended to focus on defense, their more proactive style of play in this opener was especially impressive. In Round 2, Ansan will face Busan. Busan drew 1–1 with Seongnam in their opening match. The game was played under heavy rain and strong winds, making normal play difficult. Player of the Round Matheus Frizzo, Suwon FC (vs. Yongin FC) Suwon FC began the season in style by defeating Chungbuk Cheongju 4–1 in their opener. Although they conceded the first goal just three minutes into the match, Matheus Frizzo’s performance turned the momentum around. Frizzo first made his mark in the 10th minute by delivering a clever pass that set up Ha Jeong-woo’s equalizer. In the second half, he calmly finished two chances inside the box. Beyond the goals and assist, his movement between the wing and central areas, actively attacking the half-spaces, was also impressive, as it created cracks in the opposing defense. Although he had a goal was disallowed, the Brazilian still demonstrated his sharp kicking ability by finding the net during a corner-kick situation. Even under the intense pressure typical of the K League, he showed smart positioning and decision-making, delivering a flawless debut performance. As a result, Frizzo was named the MVP of the opening round. Led by Frizzo, Suwon FC will face Yongin FC in Round 2. Yongin drew 2–2 with Cheonan in their opening match after an intense back-and-forth battle. Although they are a new team, they have signed several players with extensive K League experience and are considered a competitive side. Suwon FC will look to maintain their early-season momentum, while Yongin will be highly motivated to secure their first K League victory. 2026 K League 2 Round 2 Fixtures Saturday 7th March Seoul E-Land vs. Gyeongnam FC - 14:00 Paju Frontier vs. Suwon Bluewings - 14:00 Daegu FC vs. Jeonnam Dragons - 16:30 Suwon FC vs. Yongin FC - 16:30 Sunday 8th March Ansan Greeners vs. Busan IPark - 14:00 Seongnam FC vs. Chungbuk Cheongju - 14:00 Cheonan FC vs. Gimpo FC - 16:30 Hwaseong FC vs. Gimhae FC 2008 - 16:30 Via K League press release Where to Watch Watch all games live on TV.KLeague.com

The 2026 K League 1 season is finally upon us with Round 1 set to get underway this upcoming weekend. From Outside The Box takes a look at the six matches ahead this weekend, as well as commentators' discussion on approaching pronunciation. Paul Neat and Alex Jensen sit down to preview the first round of the new K League 1 season, taking a closer look at the four featured matches for K League TV and giving insight from their pre-match notes. Paul previews Pohang's away visit to Gimcheon Sangmu while Alex takes a look at Ulsan's opener to Gangwon FC as well Jeju SK and Gwangju FC, both under new management. Then, Matt Binns phones in to give his thoughts ahead of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Bucheon FC 1995 as the K League 1 new boys visit the home of the Champions in hope of an upset. About the Podcast From Outside the Box is a relaxed, insight-driven podcast from K League United, proudly sponsored by Record Pizza and TNT FC. Join K League TV commentators Matthew Binns, Paul Neat, and Alex Jensen as they draw from their weekly notes, observations, and offer peeks into their behind-the-scenes experiences from the commentary box to break down K League 1, offering onest opinions, tactical talk, and real stories from outside the commentary box, every week. The first few episodes of this new initiative will also be available on The K League United Podcast stream before switching over to the new channels which you can find below: Listen and Subscribe on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. You can also follow on Instagram. Watch here on Patreon

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