Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Jeju SK FC at Jeju World Cup Stadium in K League 1 Round 11, snapping a three-year winless streak on their opponent’s home ground. Kim Jin-gyu broke his personal drought with the opener, while Tiago added a late header to seal back-to-back wins for the visitors.
Match Lineups
Jeju SK FC (4-4-2): Kim Dong-jun (GK); Kim Ryun-seong, Serestin, Kim Jae-woo, Yoo In-soo; Park Chang-jun, Jang Min-gyu, Oh Jae-hyuk, Kwon Chang-hoon; Nam Tae-hee, Negueba.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (4-2-3-1): Song Beom-keun (GK); Choi Woo-jin, Kim Young-bin, Jo Woo-je, Lee Sang-myeong; Kim Jin-gyu, Oberdan; Lee Sung-woo, Kang Sang-yoon, Lee Dong-jun; Modda.
First Half Action
Jeju SK controlled much of the early play, generating intense pressure. Kwon Chang-hoon tested with a direct free kick in the 3rd minute, followed by Lee Sang-myeong’s header from a Park Chang-jun pass in the 4th, which Jeju goalkeeper Kim Dong-jun parried. Negueba’s follow-up shot moments later found the target but stayed out.
Jeju maintained dominance through the midpoint, with Kwon Chang-hoon’s crosses and outside shots in the 20th and 24th minutes repelled by Song Beom-keun. Negueba forced a punch save in the 27th. Jeonbuk countered in the 29th when Lee Dong-jun broke free for a one-on-one chance, but his effort was blocked.
The game turned in the 37th minute. After a swift counter, Modda laid off a header pass to Lee Dong-jun, who fed Kim Jin-gyu for a clinical one-touch finish into the net. Jeonbuk led 1-0 at halftime, despite Jeju’s 10 shots including four on target against Jeonbuk’s four shots and two on frame.
Second Half and Victory Sealed
Jeonbuk absorbed Jeju’s halftime momentum push. In the 11th minute, Kang Sang-yoon’s through ball deflected off Serestin for a corner after a foul. Lee Sang-myeong’s free kick drew a save in the 12th. Jeonbuk made changes in the 13th: Lee Dong-jun and Lee Sang-myeong off for Kim Tae-hyeon and Kim Sung-seop.
Modda’s header tested Kim Dong-jun in the 14th, while Jeju earned a corner leading to Park Chang-jun’s foul. Kim Ryun-seong’s 18th-minute shot was blocked, and a header hit Song Beom-keun’s hands in the 20th. Further subs followed: Lee Sung-woo and Choi Woo-jin replaced by Kim Ha-jun and Gamboa in the 23rd.
Jeju pressed hard, but Jeonbuk cleared threats. In the 32nd, Jeju introduced Choi Byung-uk, Kim Joon-ho, and others for renewed vigor. Jeonbuk held firm until added time. After Kim Sung-seop’s shot in the third minute of stoppage, Kang Sang-yoon’s cross met Tiago’s header for 2-0.
Jeonbuk thwarted late Jeju efforts, including Nam Tae-hee’s outside shot saved in the 43rd, to claim the points.
Key Stats and Standings Boost
Jeju fired 21 shots with nine on target but lacked finishing edge. Jeonbuk’s efficiency prevailed. The result marks Jeonbuk’s first win at Jeju since a 2-0 triumph on April 23, 2023, fueling two straight victories and 18 points to leapfrog Ulsan HD (17 points) into third place, closing in on Pohang leaders.
