Seoul: As Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors edge closer to clinching the K League 1 title, they are also setting their sights on securing a spot in the final of the Korea Cup, the nation’s premier football tournament. The first leg of their semifinal clash against fellow K League 1 team, Gangwon FC, is scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, located 200 kilometers south of Seoul.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the second leg of this semifinal will take place at Gangwon FC’s home ground in Gangneung on August 27 at 7:30 p.m. Unlike many international tournaments, the away goals rule will not be applied here. If the aggregate score is tied after both legs, the teams will proceed to extra time and potentially a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have been dominating the K League 1, currently leading the 12-club league with 60 points, a significant 17 points ahead of their closest rivals, Gimcheon Sangmu FC, with a dozen matches remaining. They have maintained an impressive unbeaten streak spanning 25 matches across all competitions. Interestingly, Gangwon FC was the last team to defeat Jeonbuk, achieving a 1-0 victory on March 9.
Jeonbuk’s record since that loss includes 17 wins and five draws in K League 1, along with three victories in the Korea Cup. Historically, Jeonbuk is the only team among the semifinalists to have reached a Korea Cup final. They have claimed the national title five times, in 2000, 2003, 2005, 2020, and 2022. A win this year would allow them to match Pohang Steelers’ record of six titles in Korea Cup history.
In the other semifinal, Gwangju FC of the K League 1 will face Bucheon FC from the K League 2. Their first leg will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Gwangju World Cup Stadium, with the return leg set for August 27 at Bucheon Stadium. This marks Gwangju FC’s second consecutive appearance in the Korea Cup semifinals. Although they lost to Ulsan HD FC in last year’s semifinals, they avenged that defeat by eliminating Ulsan in this year’s quarterfinals. Gwangju recently ended a four-match winless streak by defeating Daejeon Hana Citizen 2-0.
Bucheon FC, the sole K League 2 team remaining in the competition, has reached the semifinals for the first time since 2016. They have already ousted two K League 1 clubs, Jeju SK FC and Gimcheon Sangmu, in their journey to the semifinals. Bucheon FC is the first K League 2 club to advance this far in the Korea Cup since Jeonnam Dragons’ victory in 2021.