Recap: FC Seoul 2-1 Gyeongnam FC

A first K League goal from Aleksandar Pešić got FC Seoul on their way to a 2-1 home win over last season's runners up Gyeongnam FC. Choi Yongsoo's men, who remain in second after the win, now have four victories from their opening six league matches of the campaign after managing just one at this stage last term. The Reds missed a penalty in the first half and had chances to level in the dying embers but it proved to be FC Seoul's day.

Goals from Aleksandar Pešić and Cho Youngwook gave FC Seoul a 2-1 home victory over Gyeongnam FC. The hosts made the most of the Reds' much-changed starting lineup which saw a whole host of personnel changes from the side which drew with Jeonbuk in midweek.

After a first half that was somewhat lacking in quality, just before the break, Park Chuyoung atoned for some previously wasteful set-pieces by sending in an inviting cross for the former Red Star Belgrade striker, Pešić to guide the ball into the top corner.

In the second half, Pešić was involved in Seoul's second as his stung the palms of Lee Beomsoo before Cho Youngwook, on as a substitute, tucked away the rebound. The goal was initially chalked off for offside but, after consulting VAR, Pešić was onside when the ball was played.

The visitors were not giving up hope just yet, though and began to stage another late fight back. Kim Jongpil pulled one back, nodding home an in-swinging cross from Kunimoto on the right-hand side in the 92nd minute.

Gyeongnam began the brightest with some purposeful passing from left to right in and around the halfway line; the hosts were content to make a back five and contain.

On the rare occasion when Seoul were able to get themselves in the front foot in the first 15 minutes or so Choi Yongsoo’s men looked hesitant and lacking in conviction.

Towards the half hour mark the hosts started to look a bit more purposeful. Using the width to advance further up the pitch, the likes of Ko Kwangmin at left back would look for Jung Hyeoncheol in the middle of the park to try and switch the play.

Seoul’s first sight of goal was via a Park Chuyoung freekick on 32 minutes from distance. With Gyeongnam expecting a cross, Ikromjon Alibaev rolled the ball to Park who took a touch before trying to test Lee Beomsoo in between the sticks for the Reds but the veteran striker’s shot was just a touch wide.

Seoul did manage to get their noses in front before the half time whistle, however - despite a rather uneventful first half. After winning a freekick just inside the Gyeongnam half, Park Chuyoung made up for his first few mishit crosses by sending in an inch-perfect ball from deep to Aleksandar Pešić who was on hand to nod the ball into the top corner from inside the box.

Early in the second half Gyeongnam had a golden opportunity to equalise with Lee Youngjae being scythed down by debutant Shin Jaewon. With his father watching on, former Korean national team manager Shin Taehong, Shin junior made a desperate lunge at Lee Youngjae from inside the box, leaving the referee with little option but to point to the spot.

Lee stepped up but his spot kick cannoned off the bar and out to safety, sparing the blushes of Shin Jaewon.

Shortly after Gyeongnam made a triple substitution, Jordon Mutch, Kunmoto and Choi Jaesoo coming on to replace Lee Jaemyoung, Lee Seungyeop and Park Gidong. Still, though, the hosts were in control.

Seoul then doubled their advantage on 84 minutes with the help of VAR. Pešić, gunning for a brace, tried to find the bottom corner but the Serbian's shot was parried out. Cho Youngwook, on as a second half substitute, turned in the rebound from point blank range.

The youngster's celebrations were short lived however as the linesman on the far side signalled for offside. However, replays showed that Pešić was indeed onside when the initial ball was played and so, after consulting VAR, the goal stood.

The match wasn't finished there, though, as Gyeongnam began a late fightback - a reoccurring theme for Kim Jongboo’s men.

Central midfielder Kim Jongpil found space in the box to head home Lee Youngjae's cross from deep in the second minute of time added on to half the deficit.

Then, with what proved to be the last kick of the game, or head rather, Kim Jongpil missed a gilt-edged chance from just a few yards out.

In the 95th minute, Kunimoto's cross made its way to the edge of the six-yard box. Kim Jongpil stuck out his head but just couldn't keep the ball down, much to the relief of the Sangam faithful.

In the end, Gyeongnam will perhaps look back and lament the amount of changes that were made to the starting line-up. Once Kunimoto and Mutch in particular had come on midway through the second half, the Reds began to look dangerous.

For FC Seoul, it was a deserved victory in the end. Choi Yongsoo’s side made the most of the opportunities they had and were much more compact compared to the defeat away to Ulsan on Tuesday.

Highlights: here