2018 in South Korean football

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Football in South Korea
Season2018
Men's football
K League 1Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
K League 2Asan Mugunghwa
National LeagueGyeongju KHNP
K3 League AdvancedGyeongju Citizen
K3 League BasicSiheung Citizen
Korean FA CupDaegu FC
Women's football
WK LeagueIncheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels
← 2017 South Korea 2019 →

This article shows a summary of the 2018 football season in South Korea.

National teams[edit]

FIFA World Cup[edit]

For the combined qualification matches for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, South Korea won all seven matches without conceding a goal in the second round but following a series of poor results in the third round of qualifiers, including losses to China and Qatar, the former manager Uli Stielike was sacked and was replaced by under-23 coach Shin Tae-yong for the remainder of the qualifying round.[1] Under Shin Tae-yong, the team managed to qualify as the second-placed team in their group following two goalless draws against Iran and Uzbekistan, sending South Korea to the World Cup for the ninth consecutive time.[2] Shin quickly tested various tactics after the qualifiers, but he had difficulty carrying out his plan due to injuries of many players. Some of them were eventually excluded from the team.[3]

South Korea national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia

At the 2018 World Cup, they lost their first game against Sweden 1–0 after conceding from a penalty. They then faced Mexico and lost 2–1 after conceding another penalty. However, despite their two consecutive losses, South Korea was not eliminated just yet. To have any chance of advancing, South Korea would have to win their final group stage match against the defending champions Germany by at least two goals and Mexico would have to defeat Sweden in its last group stage game.[4] South Korea for its part did what it had to do to stay in contention and won 2–0 against Germany with goals from Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min, causing them to be eliminated in the first round for the first time in 80 years. Germany had 28 shots with 6 on target, but the South Korea's defense, led by keeper Jo Hyeon-woo, did not concede once.[5] However, Mexico lost to Sweden that same day and thus South Korea ultimately finished third in the group. As a result, South Korea saved Mexico from being eliminated and Mexican fans heavily praised the Koreans and celebrated their victory in front of the South Korean embassy.[6] The match is also called the "Miracle of Kazan" in South Korea although they dropped out of the tournament.[7]

18 June Group F Sweden  1–0  South Korea Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
15:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Nizhny Novgorod Stadium
Attendance: 42,300
Referee: Joel Aguilar (El Salvador)
23 June Group F South Korea  1–2  Mexico Rostov-on-Don, Russia
18:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Rostov Arena
Attendance: 43,472
Referee: Milorad Mažić (Serbia)
27 June Group F South Korea  2–0  Germany Kazan, Russia
17:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Kazan Arena
Attendance: 41,835
Referee: Mark Geiger (United States)
Group F table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Sweden 3 2 0 1 5 2 +3 6 Advance to knockout stage
2  Mexico 3 2 0 1 3 4 –1 6
3  South Korea 3 1 0 2 3 3 0 3
4  Germany 3 1 0 2 2 4 –2 3

AFC U-23 Championship[edit]

11 January Group D South Korea  2–1  Vietnam Kunshan, China
19:30 (UTC+8) Report Quang Hải 17' Stadium: Kunshan Stadium
Attendance: 766
Referee: Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)
14 January Group D Syria  0–0  South Korea Kunshan, China
19:30 (UTC+8) Report Stadium: Kunshan Stadium
Attendance: 685
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)
17 January Group D South Korea  3–2  Australia Kunshan, China
19:30 (UTC+8) Report
Stadium: Kunshan Stadium
Attendance: 678
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
Group D table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  South Korea 3 2 1 0 5 3 +2 7 Advance to knockout stage
2  Vietnam 3 1 1 1 2 2 0 4
3  Australia 3 1 0 2 5 5 0 3
4  Syria 3 0 2 1 1 3 −2 2
Source: AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
23 January Semi-finals Uzbekistan  4–1 (a.e.t.)  South Korea Kunshan, China
19:30 (UTC+8)
Report Hwang Hyun-soo 58' Stadium: Kunshan Stadium
Attendance: 367
Referee: Turki Al-Khudhayr (Saudi Arabia)
26 January Third place match Qatar  1–0  South Korea Kunshan, China
19:30 (UTC+8) Afif 39' Report Stadium: Kunshan Stadium
Attendance: 168
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Asian Games[edit]

15 August Group E South Korea  6–0  Bahrain Soreang, Indonesia
19:00 (UTC+7)
Report Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Referee: Takuto Okabe (Japan)
17 August Group E Malaysia  2–1  South Korea Soreang, Indonesia
19:00 (UTC+7) Safawi 5', 45+1' Report Hwang Ui-jo 87' Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Referee: Mohammed Al-Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
20 August Group E South Korea  1–0  Kyrgyzstan Soreang, Indonesia
19:00 (UTC+7) Son Heung-min 63' Report Stadium: Jalak Harupat Stadium
Referee: Masoud Tufaylieh (Syria)
Group E table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Malaysia 3 2 0 1 7 5 +2 6[a] Advance to knockout stage
2  South Korea 3 2 0 1 8 2 +6 6[a]
3  Bahrain 3 1 1 1 5 10 −5 4
4  Kyrgyzstan 3 0 1 2 3 6 −3 1
Source: Asian Games
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ^ a b Head-to-head result: Malaysia 2–1 South Korea.
23 August Round of 16 Iran  0–2  South Korea Cikarang, Indonesia
19:30 (UTC+7) Report Stadium: Wibawa Mukti Stadium
Referee: Ahmad Yacoub Ibrahim (Jordan)
29 August Semi-finals Vietnam  1–3  South Korea Cibinong, Indonesia
16:00 (UTC+7) Minh Vương 70' Report Stadium: Pakansari Stadium
Referee: Masoud Tufaylieh (Syria)
1 September Final South Korea  2–1 (a.e.t.)  Japan Cibinong, Indonesia
18:30 (UTC+7) Report Ueda 115' Stadium: Pakansari Stadium
Referee: Aziz Asimov (Uzbekistan)

Friendlies[edit]

Senior team[edit]

27 January South Korea  1–0  Moldova Antalya, Turkey
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Mardan Stadium
Attendance: 1,000
Referee: Alper Ulusoy (Turkey)
30 January South Korea  2–2  Jamaica Antalya, Turkey
14:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Mardan Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Alper Ulusoy (Turkey)
3 February South Korea  1–0  Latvia Antalya, Turkey
17:30 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Mardan Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Ali Palabıyık (Turkey)
27 March Poland  3–2  South Korea Chorzów, Poland
20:45 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Silesian Stadium
Attendance: 53,129
Referee: Tore Hansen (Norway)
28 May South Korea  2–0  Honduras Daegu, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Daegu Stadium
Attendance: 33,252
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
7 June South Korea  0–0  Bolivia Innsbruck, Austria
14:10 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Tivoli-Neu
Attendance: 500
Referee: Robert Schörgenhofer (Austria)
7 September South Korea  2–0  Costa Rica Goyang, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Goyang Stadium
Attendance: 36,127
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
11 September South Korea  0–0  Chile Suwon, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Suwon World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 40,127
Referee: Ryuji Sato (Japan)
12 October South Korea  2–1  Uruguay Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 64,170
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
16 October South Korea  2–2  Panama Cheonan, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Cheonan Stadium
Attendance: 25,556
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Iran)
17 November Australia  1–1  South Korea Brisbane, Australia
18:50 UTC+10
Report Stadium: Suncorp Stadium
Attendance: 32,922
Referee: Jumpei Iida (Japan)
20 November South Korea  4–0  Uzbekistan Brisbane, Australia
20:00 UTC+10 Report Stadium: QSAC
Attendance: 1,705
Referee: Chris Beath (Australia)
31 December South Korea  0–0  Saudi Arabia Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
20:00 UTC+4 Report
Stadium: Baniyas Stadium
Attendance: 300
Referee: Adel Al Naqbi (United Arab Emirates)

Under-23 team[edit]

Leagues[edit]

K League 1[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C) 38 26 8 4 75 31 +44 86 Qualification for Champions League group stage
2 Gyeongnam FC 38 18 11 9 59 44 +15 65
3 Ulsan Hyundai 38 17 12 9 61 46 +15 63 Qualification for Champions League playoff round
4 Pohang Steelers 38 15 9 14 47 48 −1 54
5 Jeju United 38 14 12 12 41 41 0 54
6 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 38 13 11 14 53 54 −1 50
7 Daegu FC 38 14 8 16 47 56 −9 50 Qualification for Champions League group stage[a]
8 Gangwon FC 38 12 10 16 56 60 −4 46
9 Incheon United 38 10 12 16 55 69 −14 42
10 Sangju Sangmu 38 10 10 18 41 52 −11 40
11 FC Seoul (O) 38 9 13 16 40 48 −8 40 Qualification for relegation playoffs
12 Jeonnam Dragons (R) 38 8 8 22 43 69 −26 32 Relegation to K League 2
Source: K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Qualified as champions of FA Cup.

K League 2[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Asan Mugunghwa[a] (C) 36 21 9 6 54 27 +27 72
2 Seongnam FC (P) 36 18 11 7 49 36 +13 65 Promotion to K League 1
3 Busan IPark 36 14 14 8 53 35 +18 56 Qualification for promotion playoffs semi-final
4 Daejeon Citizen 36 15 8 13 47 44 +3 53 Qualification for promotion playoffs first round
5 Gwangju FC 36 11 15 10 51 41 +10 48
6 FC Anyang 36 12 8 16 44 50 −6 44
7 Suwon FC 36 13 3 20 29 46 −17 42
8 Bucheon FC 1995 36 11 6 19 37 50 −13 39
9 Ansan Greeners 36 10 9 17 32 45 −13 39
10 Seoul E-Land 36 10 7 19 30 52 −22 37
Source: K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Asan Mugunghwa was disqualified from promoting to the K League 1 due to lack of players who could meet clubs' requisite for maintenance. Therefore, runner-up Seongnam FC was directly promoted, and 5th-placed team Gwangju FC qualified for the promotion playoffs.[8]

Promotion playoffs[edit]

FC Seoul remains in the K League 1.

First round Semi-final Final
           
3 Busan IPark 3
4 Daejeon Citizen 0
4 Daejeon Citizen 1
5 Gwangju FC 0
Busan IPark 1 1 2
FC Seoul 3 1 4

Korea National League[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Gyeongju KHNP (C) 28 18 7 3 46 25 +21 61 Qualification for playoffs final
2 Gimhae City 28 16 8 4 46 20 +26 56 Qualification for playoffs semi-final
3 Cheonan City 28 13 7 8 33 32 +1 46
4 Gangneung City 28 10 7 11 35 30 +5 37
5 Mokpo City 28 7 10 11 36 42 −6 31
6 Changwon City 28 5 13 10 28 41 −13 28
7 Daejeon Korail 28 7 6 15 31 40 −9 27
8 Busan Transportation Corporation 28 2 10 16 21 46 −25 16
Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions

Championship playoffs[edit]

Semi-final Final
          
2 Gimhae City 3 3 6
3 Cheonan City 2 0 2
Gimhae City 1 0 1
1 Gyeongju KHNP 2 2 4

K3 League Advanced[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Gyeongju Citizen (C) 22 16 2 4 46 21 +25 50 Qualification for Championship final
2 Pocheon Citizen 22 15 1 6 58 30 +28 46 Qualification for Championship first round
3 Icheon Citizen 22 11 5 6 33 25 +8 38
4 Gimpo Citizen 22 11 4 7 42 31 +11 37
5 Chuncheon FC 22 10 6 6 38 27 +11 36
6 Cheongju City 22 9 7 6 26 26 0 34
7 Hwaseong FC 22 9 6 7 32 25 +7 33
8 Yangpyeong FC 22 8 5 9 32 26 +6 29
9 Pyeongtaek Citizen 22 7 4 11 28 34 −6 25
10 Chungbuk Cheongju 22 6 2 14 19 37 −18 20
11 Jeonju Citizen (R) 22 5 1 16 25 46 −21 16 Relegation to K3 League Basic
12 Seoul Jungnang (R) 22 3 1 18 23 74 −51 10
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated

Championship playoffs[edit]

When the first round and semi-final matches were finished as draws, their winners were decided on the regular season rankings without extra time and the penalty shoot-out.

K3 League Basic[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 Siheung Citizen (C, P) 20 15 1 4 40 10 +30 46 Promotion to K3 League Advanced
2 Paju Citizen (P) 20 14 1 5 61 15 +46 43
3 Busan FC[a] 20 12 4 4 46 17 +29 40
4 Chungju Citizen (O, P) 20 13 1 6 45 17 +28 40 Qualification for promotion playoff
5 Yangju Citizen 20 11 5 4 41 19 +22 38
6 Yeoju Sejong 20 11 1 8 50 29 +21 34
7 Buyeo FC 20 7 3 10 47 41 +6 24
8 Pyeongchang FC 20 4 6 10 37 51 −14 18
9 Goyang Citizen 20 4 1 15 20 78 −58 13
10 Seoul United 20 3 3 14 31 62 −31 12
11 FC Uijeongbu 20 2 2 16 25 104 −79 8
Source: 7m.com JoinKFA
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
  1. ^ Busan FC was dissolved just after the regular season.

Promotion playoff[edit]

When the match was finished as a draw, its winners were decided on the regular season rankings without extra time and the penalty shoot-out. Therefore, Chungju Citizen was promoted to the K3 League Advanced after the draw.[9]

WK League[edit]

Regular season[edit]

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels 28 21 6 1 84 21 +63 69 Qualification for playoffs final
2 Gyeongju KHNP 28 16 5 7 54 35 +19 53 Qualification for playoffs semi-final
3 Suwon UDC 28 14 8 6 48 34 +14 50
4 Gumi Sportstoto 28 15 3 10 49 38 +11 48
5 Hwacheon KSPO 28 13 5 10 52 45 +7 44
6 Seoul WFC 28 4 9 15 34 57 −23 21
7 Boeun Sangmu 28 3 7 18 18 59 −41 16
8 Changnyeong WFC 28 3 3 22 30 80 −50 12
Source: Soccerway

Championship playoffs[edit]

Semi-final Final
1 Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels (p) 0 4 4 (3)
2 Gyeongju KHNP 2 Gyeongju KHNP 3 1 4 (1)
3 Suwon UDC 0

Final table[edit]

Pos Team 0 Qualification
1 Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels (C)    Qualification for AFC Club Championship
2 Gyeongju KHNP   
3 Suwon UDC   
Source: RSSSF
(C) Champion

Domestic cups[edit]

Korean FA Cup[edit]

Round of 32Round of 16Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsFinal
                            
Pohang Steelers0
Jeonnam Dragons1
Jeonnam Dragons020
Chuncheon FC1
Daejeon Korail1
Chuncheon FC2
Jeonnam Dragons (p)1 (4)
Asan Mugunghwa1 (2)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors3
Busan Transportation Corporation1
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors1
Asan Mugunghwa2
Asan Mugunghwa (a.e.t.)1
31 October – Gwangyang
Ansan Greeners0
Jeonnam Dragons1
Daegu FC020
Daegu FC4
Yong In University1
Daegu FC8
Yangpyeong FC0
Sangju Sangmu (p)2 (2)
Yangpyeong FC2 (4)
Daegu FC2
Mokpo City1
Incheon United2
Pocheon Citizen0
Incheon United1
Mokpo City2
FC Anyang1
5, 8 December
Mokpo City (a.e.t.)2
Daegu FC020030050
Ulsan Hyundai101
Ulsan Hyundai1
Suwon FC0
Ulsan Hyundai2
Busan IPark0
Busan IPark (a.e.t.)3
Gyeongju Citizen2
Ulsan Hyundai2
Gimhae City0
Gangwon FC1
Gimhae City2
Gimhae City1
Gyeongju KHNP0
Seongnam FC0
31 October – Ulsan
Gyeongju KHNP (a.e.t.)1
Ulsan Hyundai2
Suwon Samsung Bluewings1
Suwon Samsung Bluewings6
Gimpo Citizen1
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (a.e.t.)4
Cheonan City2
Gangneung City1
Cheonan City (a.e.t.)2
Suwon Samsung Bluewings (p)2 (2)
Jeju United2 (1)
FC Seoul (p)0 (3)
Gyeongnam FC0 (1)
FC Seoul1
Jeju United2
Jeju United4
Korea University1

Korea National League Championship[edit]

Group stage[edit]

Knockout stage[edit]

Semi-finals Final
      
A1 Cheonan City 1
B2 Daejeon Korail 2
Daejeon Korail 2
Gyeongju KHNP 1
B1 Gyeongju KHNP 2
A2 Gimhae City 0

International cups[edit]

AFC Champions League[edit]

Team Round Opponent First leg V Second leg V Aggregate Result
Jeju United Group G Japan Cerezo Osaka 0–1 H 1–2 A Fourth place Group stage
Thailand Buriram United 2–0 A 0–1 H
China Guangzhou Evergrande 3–5 A 0–2 H
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Group E Japan Kashiwa Reysol 3–2 H 2–0 A Winners Quarter-finals
Hong Kong Kitchee 6–0 A 3–0 H
China Tianjin Quanjian 6–3 H 2–4 A
Round of 16 Thailand Buriram United 2–3 A 2–0 H 4–3
Quarter-finals South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–3 H 3–0 (a.e.t.) A 3–3 (2–4 p)
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Qualifying play-offs Vietnam Thanh Hóa 5–1 5–1 Semi-finals
Group H Australia Sydney FC 2–0 A 1–4 H Winners
Japan Kashima Antlers 1–2 H 1–0 A
China Shanghai Shenhua 1–1 H 2–0 A
Round of 16 South Korea Ulsan Hyundai 0–1 A 3–0 H 3–1
Quarter-finals South Korea Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3–0 A 0–3 (a.e.t.) H 3–3 (4–2 p)
Semi-finals Japan Kashima Antlers 2–3 A 3–3 H 5–6
Ulsan Hyundai Group F Australia Melbourne Victory 3–3 A 6–2 H Runners-up Round of 16
Japan Kawasaki Frontale 2–1 H 2–2 A
China Shanghai SIPG 2–2 A 0–1 H
Round of 16 South Korea Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1–0 H 0–3 A 1–3

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Shin Tae-yong named Korea Republic coach". AFC. 4 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Korea Republic headed to ninth consecutive World Cup". FIFA. 5 September 2017. Archived from the original on 21 October 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
  3. ^ [월드컵] 신태용호 '부상 경계령'…이용 출전 가능에 안도 (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  4. ^ "FIFA World Cup 2018: South Korea have one percent chance of staying in the tournament, says midfielder Ju Se-jong". Firstpost. 26 June 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  5. ^ Emons, Michael (27 June 2018). "Germany knocked out of 2018 World Cup". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 July 2018.
  6. ^ Park, Gene; Steinberg, Dan. "'Vamos Korea': Mexico fans shower Korea with love after the unlikeliest World Cup assist – The Washington Post". The Washington Post. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  7. ^ "South Korea media celebrate 'miracle of Kazan'". Gulf News. 28 June 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  8. ^ [공식 발표] 아산, 승격 자격 박탈…성남 1부 승격, 28일 대전-광주 준플레이오프. SPOTV News. 19 November 2018.
  9. ^ 충주시민축구단 창단 첫해 K3리그 1부 승격 (in Korean). Newspim. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2023.

External links[edit]