The K League 1 Wrap-Up: Can Daegu FC Pull Off The Great Escape?

Following a weekend that saw exciting matches up and down the table, columnist Nathan Sartain recaps all of the action from round 36 of the 2025 K League 1 season.

Daegu FC Earn Another Lifeline

It was all starting to look a bit bleak for Daegu FC. Yes, they were earning some hard-fought draws, scoring dramatic equalisers and showcasing genuine improvements from the side that had slumped so heavily at the start of 2025. But at this stage of the season it’s only wins that can keep you in the hunt for survival, or in the Sky Blues’ case a promotion/relegation playoff spot which could at least decide their fate in two fixtures against a K League 2 side.

Again, though, Kim Byung-soo has found a way to have his team flip the script. It may have still taken some drama for Daegu to beat Gwangju FC 1-0 here, with Kim Hyeon-jun nipping in from the back post to give his side a euphoric lead in the 94th-minute, but the Sky Blues matched their opposition all over the pitch consistently, and certainly created more chances as proceedings edged closer towards the full-time whistle. As a result, there can’t really be any arguments about the result, one that is bound to give Daegu some confidence.

What will also help inspire hope is that the Sky Blues are now just three points away from Jeju SK, after they fell to a 2-1 home defeat against FC Anyang. It wasn’t necessarily a poor performance from the Tangerines either, as they controlled possession and threatened the opposition box well, there just wasn’t enough of a plan to cope with the Violets’ threat in transition.

Regardless, the stage is now set for a game of extreme magnitude following the international break, when Jeju SK host Daegu FC. For the Tangerines, a win would mean they have secured a spot in the promotion/relegation playoffs at their opponent’s expense, whereas a win for the Sky Blues would lift them off bottom-place, and could in turn ultimately relegate Jeju come season’s end.

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Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Late Show

Thanks to scoring two goals in the final minutes, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors earned their first victory in Final A competition with a 3-1 home triumph over Daejeon Hana Citizen. Despite little being on the line except for the proverbial bragging rights, this was a lively encounter full of needle too.

In the opening phases both keepers were tested, and as the first-half progressed either side could have went in front from a number of solid chances. But nobody had that clinical edge for a breakthrough, so the opening 45 minutes ultimately finished goalless.

Fortunately, the second period started with the same intensity, with each team looking to break the deadlock by playing proactively. And in time, it was the champions Jeonbuk who took the lead through a composed Song Min-kyu header that flew into the net. Daejeon were not going to let a buoyant home crowd deter them, however, and eventually found their equaliser from the penalty spot.

With momentum on their side, the Purples increased the pressure, looking like the team in the ascendency. Yet a Lee Dong-jun back post header restored Jeonbuk’s advantage, one increased shortly after by a Lee Seung-woo penalty. All in all, this was a late-season cracker, showcasing exactly why these are the top two clubs in the division this year.

Ulsan HD Step Towards Safety

Despite a spirited Suwon FC performance, one which also saw Pablo Sabbag have a goal disallowed for what appeared to be a narrow offside deep into stoppage time, it was Ulsan HD who boosted their survival chances with a 1-0 victory on Sunday.

From the beginning the visitors troubled the Horangi's box, having consistent attempts on goal and dominating possession. But goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo refused to be beaten, and helped his team keep their nerve until half-time. Then, Ulsan quickly seized an opportunity in the opening stages of the second period, where Gustav Ludwigson broke the deadlock from just inside the box, angling his powerful effort into the top left-hand corner.

From here Suwon again applied plenty of attacking pressure, and had some really threatening spells, though arguably the hosts had the best chance when almost forcing an own-goal. Thus, Kim Eun-jung's men will now have to overturn a five-point deficit in the final two games should they wish to survive automatically, whereas Ulsan HD need one more win to mathematically secure their fate.

On the topic of fate, due to this weekend's results both FC Anyang and Gwangju FC have confirmed their top-flight survival.

What Else Happened in Round 36?

Returning to winning ways, Gangwon FC edged out a narrow contest with Gimcheon Sangmu to secure a 1-0 away victory on their travels. There isn’t much to analyse here, though the Bears’ defensive work was commendable, and Gimcheon will have to hope that some of their upcoming new recruits can give them some attacking spark that is currently missing.

Elsewhere, Pohang Steelers continued their steady enough start to life in Final A with a 0-0 draw against FC Seoul. In a game of few clear-cut chances, momentum somewhat ebbed and flowed, though the Steelers benefit from this stalemate more than the visitors given they retain a six point lead in fourth-place as a result.

That's all for this week! After the international break, the K League season returns with a packed Saturday schedule on November 22nd, while the all-important Jeju SK and Daegu clash is the sole Sunday fixture.