The K League 1 Wrap-Up: Three Goalless Draws, a Jasir Asani Brace, and a Joo Min-kyu Winner

After a third round of games filled with few goals, but some interesting talking points, Nathan Sartain returns with another wrap-up column.

Three Nil-Nils

Round three saw three goalless draws, after there had only been one overall beforehand. In general, it was a low-scoring week anyway though (five goals scored in total), with some of the early season performances that often come around occurring concurrently.

For Pohang Steelers, their stalemate with Daegu FC saw them pick up their first point of the season. By and large the Steelers had the better chances too, in addition to a goal ruled out for offside, so can certainly build from the draw, rather than panic over extending their winless opening to the season. Daegu, in a similar vein, will probably go away content with a clean-sheet on the road, knowing they stay at the top of the table.

Moving on, Gangwon were well tested by Jeju SK, who particularly in the first-half looked the better side, and certainly more likely to score. But things settled down in the end, and both teams appeared to settle for a solid point, knowing the game - and rainy conditions - were difficult to compete fluidly in. It must be said Marko Tuci is settling into Jung Kyung-ho’s tactical system well, and he is looking a real leader at the back for the Bears.

And finally, FC Seoul and Gimcheon Sangmu also found conditions difficult to compete in at times, as pitches continue to raise debate amongst managers, players, and fans. Still, the capital city side definitely had more momentum here, with a number of solid chances to find a breakthrough (mostly in the second-half) from their 10 shots on goal.

[READ: 2025 Korean Cup First Round - 5 Fixtures to look out for.]

Timeless Joo Min-kyu

From Sangju Sangmu, to Jeju United (now SK), to Ulsan HD, to Daejeon Hana Citizen, Joo Min-kyu has been one of K League 1’s most reliable forwards for years. With three goals in his first three appearances for the Purples, the 34-year-old is starting with his best foot forward at his new club, a late winner against Suwon FC this weekend cementing the sort of timeless qualities he possesses.

Positionally exceptional, Joo Min-kyu should continue to be a focal point for Daejeon under Hwang Sun-hong, and you’d expect will certainly help their push for a top-half finish.

Gwangju's Comfortable Start

Gaining their first K League 1 win after two consecutive draws, Gwangju FC have continued their understatedly solid start to 2025. They won’t play their round four fixture with Pohang next week due to an away tie with Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League, but can relish in the fact they’re unbeaten since the turn of the year, and seemingly on a more positive footing than just a few months ago.

One reason for this upturn in fortunes has been a trusting of Jasir Asani to, for want of a better term, cook. The Albanian international was unplayable at times against Anyang, and his 89th-minute curling effort to seal the win for the Griffins, and a brace for himself, emphasises what he can bring to a team aiming to return to the Final A positions.

Ulsan Get the Better of Jeonbuk

Reigning champions Ulsan HD managed their first home victory of 2025 this week, beating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1-0. It was comfortable for the Horangi, who were consistently threatening before Darijan Bojanic’s eventual winner, although the Green Warriors did battle well once behind, and again looked composed in searching for an equaliser. How this fixture plays out in the other meetings this year will be intriguing, as you’d argue Ulsan aren’t yet the finished article under Kim Pan-gon, and Gus Poyet is certainly in the process of putting his stamp on how Jeonbuk will shape-up going forward.

And that's about it for this week. It wasn't the most noteworthy of weekends, so hopefully teams will refresh themselves ahead of the next two rounds, as we approach an upcoming international break.