Recap:Jeonbuk motor on as Seoul stumble at Sangam

K League 1 champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors bounced back from the defeat to Gangwon last weekend with an emphatic 4-1 victory over rivals FC Seoul thanks to goals from Han Kyo-won, Lee Seung-gi, and a Lee Dong-gook brace. With what was Jeonbuk's eighth win over Seoul from their last 10 meetings, a sluggish second half display from Seoul condemned Choi Yong-soo's men to a second straight loss and third of the campaign.

Jeonbuk got their noses in front on 44 minutes through winger Han Kyo-won who was on hand to turn home a Lee Dong-gook strike which rebounded off the woodwork. But, it wasn't long before Seoul were back on level terms, Park Chu-young finding the far corner on the stroke of half time.

A goal from each side with the interval approaching was a taste of what was to come in the second period as, certainly for the visitors.  Following the restart, Jeonbuk found two goals in the space of just eight minutes with Lee Seung-gi and Lee Dong-gook on target. The rout was then complete when Lee Dong-gook added a second with 15 minutes to go.

Left with much to ponder following the humbling defeat to Seongnam FC last time out, lead by fledgling manager Kim Nam-il, Seoul gaffer made some key changes to his starting lineup for the visit of the K League Champions.

Park Chu-young was dropped to the bench with Adriano preferred up front along side Cho Young-wook. Meanwhile, Alibaev came in for Han Seung-gyu who was unable to play against his parent club. Seoul were without Osmar due to injury, Serbian striker Pešić also sidelined.

For Jeonbuk, 41-year-old striker Lee Dong-gook was chosen to lead Jose Morais' attack with Cho Gyu-seong ushered out onto the left wing, Murilo and Veldwijk on the bench. Kim Min-hyeok partnered Choi Bo-kyung in the heart of the defence, deputising for the suspended Hong Jeong-ho.

First Half

Jeonbuk's Lee Dong-gook got things underway, cue fireworks from behind the north stand at Sangam - a sign of things to come. These matches are seldom every dull, this on Memorial Day here in South Korea was no different.

Normally a game which is observed by a large crowd, Sangam swelling with around 30,000 people, the opening exchanges were somewhat tentative from both teams. Both sides had a couple of corners but nothing to really test custodians Yu Sang-hun and Song Bum-keun.

The hosts, Seoul, looked to work the ball forward patiently with Alibaev and Han Chan-hee being drip-fed by stand-in skipper Ju Se-jong as the holding midfielder.

Seoul's first half-chance came on 16 minutes and, perhaps unsurprisingly, on the counter attack. Adriano off the shoulder of the last man, a throwback to the Brazilian's former self circa 2015, who cut inside and tried to supply Cho Young-wook but the through-ball was well-scouted and cut out with minimal fuss.

But, we had seen how Seoul were looking to play. Adriano doesn't possess the lightening pace he did but Cho Young-wook playing off the 32-year-old could prove to be a way in on goal. Jeonbuk were having to remain patient.

Another Seoul counter attack saw Cho Young-wook register a shot on goal. Alibaev doing well to get the ball into Han Chan-hee who then fed the former Korea University forward stung the palms of Song Bum-keun.

Getting the ball forward quickly and smartly was at least a theme and, frankly different from what was offered up against Seongnam last time out. Jeonbuk, meanwhile, appeared stifled and found it difficult to really get going.

Seoul very nearly took the lead on 34 minutes when Cho Young-wook was played in by Adriano but, bearing down on goal, the youngster's shot was straight at the goalkeeper and the danger was averted. A glorious opportunity for the hosts.

Jeonbuk's best chance of the half so far came on 37 minutes, a Son Jun-ho cross was met by the head of Kim Bo-kyung but his bullet his header flew over the crossbar and out for a goalkick.

With half time approaching, Jeonbuk seemed to wake up from their slumber but with Seoul defending resolutely, were able to keep the North Jeolla side at bay.

On 40 minutes, Cho Gyu-seong was brought off with Murilo coming on in his place on the left flank for Jeonbuk.  Not a minute later and FC Seoul got Park Chu-young ready to come on, the veteran replace Adriano with just three minutes to the break.

Goal! But, before the substitution was able to be made, Jeonbuk went 1-0 up on 44 minutes. A cross from the left-hand side met the head of Lee Dong-gook cannoned back off the woodwork but Han Kyo-won was on hand to tap in from point blank range. Arguably against the run of play, but Jose Morais and his men will not have minded one bit.

Goal! It appeared as though Han's strike would send the visitors in at the break with their tails up but, with the help of VAR, Park Chu-young equalised for Seoul with a left-footed strike, moments after coming on as a sub and in the first minute of stoppage time.

The club legend's fashioned himself some space to shoot just inside the area before sending a curling effort in towards the far corner. The 34-year-old's strike hit the inside the post and bounced out allowing Jeonbuk to make their way up the other end of the pitch. But, replays showed that the ball went over the line and the goal stood. After deliberating for, frankly, longer than necessary, the referee simultaneously awarded the goal and blew for half time.

 

Second Half

Goal! FC Seoul got the second half underway but almost immediately surrendered possession to Jeonbuk, allowing the visitors to retake the lead, this time through Lee Seung-gi from distance with a stunning strike with 47 on the clock.

Moments earlier, Han Kyo-won went down in the box and felt as though the referee ought to have awarded his team a penalty but, mopping up a loose ball, Lee Seung-gi let rip with his left foot to get the Green Warriors off to the perfect start in the second half.

Goal! And another on 55 minutes, Lee Dong-gook made it 3-1 to the visitors shortly after. A diagonal ball towards the right flank towards Han Kyo-won was guided into the path of the legendary striker who fired in a half volley from the edge of the box.

After scoring what was his first goal since the opening day winner against Suwon, Lee Dong-gook then celebrated by taking a knee to offer support to the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Jeonbuk with a two-goal cushion and in total control.

On 60 minutes, FC Seoul made their second change - Go Yo-han coming on in place of Alibaev.

The quickfire Jeonbuk double left Seoul reeling. The capital club struggled for rhythm and were unable to break the visitors down and were left looking back on the glorious chance which was spurned by Cho Young-wook in the first half.

Goal! Han Kyo-won and Lee Dong-gook combine again to push Jeonbuk out of sight and put the gloss on an impressive second half display.

Han found time and space towards the byline to stop and pick out Lee who was waiting 12 yards out to fire venomously past Seoul 'keeper Yu Sang-hun. A scoreline of 4-1 might have flattered Jeonbuk but Seoul were flat in the second half.

Jeonbuk made a double substitution, Lars Veldwijk and Takahiro Kunimoto coming on in place of Lee Dong-gook and Lee Seung-gi respectively. Seoul made a sub of their own, Choi Yong-soo handing a professional debut to Yang Yu-min coming on for Ko Kwang-min.

The game was as good as over, even with 15 minutes or so still remaining. Seoul, bereft of ideas in the second, had shown promise in the first half. Jeonbuk, ruthless without really getting out of second gear.

Lineups

Substitutes: 21 Yang Han-bin, 28 Kang Sang-hee, 35 Yang Yu-min (77' Ko Kwang-min), 20 Cha Oh-yeon, 24 Jung Hyeon-cheol, 13 Go Yo-han (62' Alibaev), 10 Park Chu-young (43' Adriano)

Substitutes: 1 Lee Bum-young, 25 Choi Chul-soon, 15 Koo Ja-ryong, 17 Kunimoto (77' Lee Seung-gi), 57 Lee Soo-bin, 10 Murilo (40' Cho Gyu-seong), 9 Veldwijk (77' Lee Dong-gook)

Attendance: Behind closed doors

Officials
Referee: Kim Hee-gon
Assistants: Noh Su-yong, Kim Ji-wook
Fourth Official: Chae Sang-hyeop