2026 K League 1 Round 5 Preview

Round 5 of the 2026 K League 1 season sees teams looking to protect their perfect starts to the season with FC Seoul hosting Gwangju FC and Ulsan HD taking on Gimcheon, as well as others looking to build on their first wins in a huge, early-season clash of the title contenders when Daejeon Hana Citizen host Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Match of the Round

Daejeon and Jeonbuk both chasing momentum

Round 5 sees Daejeon Hana Citizen take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, just a month on from their Super Cup meeting ahead of the new season. Both sides come into this clash on the back of their first league wins of the campaign, secured in midweek in Round 4, and will be keen to build on that renewed momentum.

Daejeon ended a run of three consecutive draws at the start of the season with a 3-1 victory over Incheon United last time out. Masatoshi Ishida, Diogo Oliveira and Um Won-sang all opened their accounts for the season, with Um particularly influential after coming off the bench in the 77th minute to register a goal and an assist. Seo Jin-su, the team’s leading scorer with two goals, also added to his tally of attacking contributions by setting up Masa’s opener. Daejeon currently lead the league in successful dribbles (14), underlining their strength in one-on-one attacking situations. Their dynamic forward line,  led by Seo Jin-soo, João Victor and Um Won-sang, is expected to play a key role once again.

Jeonbuk, meanwhile, also claimed their first win of the season with a 2-1 victory over Anyang. Bruno Mota struck a dramatic late winner in the 86th minute against his former club, while Lee Seung-woo impressed with his lively dribbling. In midfield, Oberdan, Kim Jin-gyu and Maeng Seong-ung provided composure and control. Jeonbuk have boasted the highest pass completion rate in the league this season (87.9%), allowing them to dominate possession and dictate matches. With the pressure of securing that first win now lifted, they will be confident of pushing on.

Jeonbuk held the upper hand in last season’s meetings between the sides, recording three wins and a draw, and also ran out 2–0 winners in this season’s Super Cup. With both teams now up and running, this fixture could prove an early turning point in shaping their campaigns. The match takes place at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Saturday at 2 PM, and has English commentary.

Watch live on K League TV [ENG]: here

Team of the Round

Ulsan HD following three wins from three

Ulsan HD continued their perfect start with a 2-0 win over Jeju SK in midweek, making it three consecutive victories to open the season. After scoring 42 goals and conceding 50 across 38 matches last season, Ulsan have shown far greater balance this term, with seven goals scored and just two conceded in their opening three games. Yago Cariello has been the standout performer, netting four of the team’s seven goals to lead the scoring charts, while last season’s K League 1 MVP Lee Dong-gyeong has contributed one goal and two assists, registering attacking returns in all three matches so far. If the pair maintain this form, more goals are likely to follow.

Defensively, Ulsan have deployed a back four featuring Choi Seok-hyeon and Cho Hyun-taek out wide, with Kim Young-gwon, Lee Jae-ik and Jung Seung-hyun centrally. Jung Seung-hyun, making his first start of the season against Jeju, impressed with a solid display and a goal. However, Kim Young-gwon was forced off with an injury in that match, leaving his availability in doubt. Maintaining defensive cohesion, likely centred around Lee Jae-ik and Jung Seung-hyun, will be crucial to sustaining their winning run.

Ulsan face Gimcheon Sangmu in Round 5, with the match scheduled for Sunday at 2 PM at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

Watch live on K League TV: here

Player of the Round

Cho Young-wook has found his scoring touch

FC Seoul made it three wins from three with a 1-0 victory over Pohang in Round 4, with Cho Young-wook scoring the decisive goal.

Having opened his account on the opening day against Incheon, Cho has carried that momentum into the early part of the season. Notably, all four of his shots so far have been on target, yielding two goals, a testament to his clinical finishing. Now in his ninth professional season since debuting in 2018, Cho’s best K League 1 return to date is eight goals in 36 appearances (2021). On current form, he looks well placed to surpass that mark this season.

Seoul face Gwangju next, having won two of their three meetings last season. The match will be played on Sunday at 2 PM at Seoul World Cup Stadium and will have English commentary.

Watch live on K League TV [ENG]: here

2026 K League 1 Round 5 Fixtures

Saturday 21st March

Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors - 14:00 [ENG]

Sunday 22nd March

FC Seoul vs. Gwangju FC - 14:00 [ENG]
Ulsan HD vs. Gimcheon Sangmu - 14:00
FC Anyang vs. Incheon United - 16:30
Gangwon FC vs. Jeju SK - 16:30
Pohang Steelers vs. Bucheon FC 1995 - 16:30 [ENG]

Where to Watch

Watch live on TV.KLeague.com, English commentary provided where indicated.

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