‘ACL Ticket Race’: Seoul vs. Gwangju, Streak or Sting?
FC Seoul and Gwangju FC, who sit side-by-side at the top of the table, will face off in a no-holds-barred clash for a ticket to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) for the 2024-2025 season.
Seoul and Gwangju will meet in the 30th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Both teams are in desperate need of three points as they sit third and fourth in the standings after 29 rounds.
The home team, Seoul, has been coached by Kim Jin-gyu since Ahn Ik-soo stepped down a month ago after taking responsibility for the team’s poor performance. Seoul has rebounded with one win and one draw under Kim.바카라사이트
Gwangju has been on a roll lately, as they have been the most promoted team in the K League 1 this season.
Gwangju went on a nine-match unbeaten streak, ending with a 0-1 loss to Ulsan on July 2, and climbed to third place. In their Round 29 match just before the A-Match break, they also defeated leader Ulsan 2-0 away from home.
The two in-form teams will meet once again in a fateful clash for third place, with ACL tickets on the line next season.
The third meeting between the two teams will be especially interesting because of the nerves involved. The two teams faced off in the second round, with Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo making controversial comments after the game.
At the time, the home team dominated the game against Seoul, but lost 0-2 after losing the momentum after Uhm Ji Sung was sent off in the second half.
“I’m upset to lose to a team that plays like that,” Lee said in response, and while he apologized shortly afterward, the veteran players and fans in Seoul were uncomfortable.
While Gwangju has been playing well this season, they have lost both meetings with Seoul this season. The head-to-head record between the two teams is 15 wins, 4 draws, and 2 losses in favor of Seoul. Gwangju is in desperate need of a win here, as they haven’t beaten Seoul in nearly six years, since 2017.
Seoul will also be looking to make it three wins in a row against Gwangju this season. With only two points separating the two teams in the standings, there is plenty of motivation for both teams.