The South Korean 'K League' is scheduled to get underway this coming Friday with games played behind closed doors at first due to the covid situation. The league was founded in 1983 as the Korean Super League initially with five member clubs who were Yukong Elephants, POSCO Dolphin, Kookmin Bank and Daewoo Royals along with Hallelujah FC who won the inaugural title
In 1998 the league was reformed and renamed as the 'K League' with a two division system introduced in 2013. At first they were called 'K League Classic' and 'K League Challenge' with them renamed 'K League 1' and 'K League 2' for the 2018 season.
Here is how the K League 1 for the 2020 season lines up with a few facts about the clubs.
Busan IPark
Promoted from K-League 2 last season. Formerly named 'Daewoo Royals' so were founder members of the league. Title winners in 1984, 1987, 1991 and 1997. They were relegated in 2015 and pushed hard for promotion over the past few seasons finishing 2nd, 3rd and 2nd. They finally made it back by winning the play-off against Gyeongnam FC 2-0 on aggregate - Brazilian midfielder Romulo scored one of the goals in that tie - he has been with the club since 2017.
Daegu FC
Founded in 2002 and have been members of the top division from 2003 to 2013 and from 2017 to date. Their best ever finish was fifth last season - they have won the Korean FA Cup once in 2018. There were managed by Brazilian Andre last season but he left the club in January - Lee Byung Keun (who was assistant coach) will manage the team on a caretaker basis. Brazilian midfielder Cesinha was one of the stand out players in the division last season scoring 15 goals with 10 assists.
Gangwon FC
Founded in 2008. They are been in the top league from 2009 to 2013 and 2017 to date. Their sixth placed finish last season equaled their best ever finish in 2017.
Gwangju FC
The K-League 2 title winners last season - they have been a yo-yo club since formation in 2010 with two relegations and two promotions.
Incheon United
Founded in 2003 and have been top league members since 2004 - they were runner's up in 2004. Finished 10th last season and are under new management for the 20202 campaign. Lim Wan-Sup was appointed in February. He has management experience at Ansan Greeners and a number of other clubs in South Korea.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Seven time champions of the K-League and winners of the last three titles. Currently managed by Portuguese Jose Morais who is most well known for being Assistant to Jose Mourinho when he was at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea as well as a short spell in charge of Barnsley in 2018 - He was K League manger of the year for the 2019 season. The Warriors won the AFC Champions League in 2006 and 2016. Singed the K League 2019 MVP in pre-season. Kim Bo-Kyung had been on loan to Ulsan Hyundai from Japanese side Kashiwa Reysol for last season - The midfielder/winger will be known to some British fans from his time with Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic.
Pohang Steelers
Founded in 1973 and are one of the South Korea's most successful sides although they have only finished 9th, 7th, 4th and 4th in the last four seasons. The have five titles and four FA Cup wins to their name along with three AFC Champions League wins (97, 98 and 2009).
Sangju Sangmu
Before a ball is kicked it has been confirmed that the club will be in K League 2 for the 2021 season regardless of it's final position in 2020 as it will move it's franchise city. The club were formed in 1984 as Sangmu FC and as the football side to the Korean Armed Forces Athletic Corps. The club played in Gwangju from 2002 but then moved to Sangju in 2011 following the formation of Gwangju FC. Moon Seon-Min joined the club over the pre-season after his displayed for Jeonbuk Hyundai-Motors got him in the league's best XI for the 2019 season for which he also won the top assists award - He has joined the Armed Forces club as part of his military service.
Seongnam FC
Seven time title winners with the last coming back in 2006. They have never been out of the top league since formation in 1989. They finished 9th last season after a runner's up spot in 2018. They have recently appointed Kim Nam-Il as manager who is most well known for his defensive displays as a player in South Korea's successful 2002 World Cup Campaign. He joins from K League 2 side Jeonnam Dragons.
FC Seoul
Six time champions with the last being in 2016. A huge club in South Korea who were founded in 1983 as Lucky Gold-Star FC.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Another side to have previously won the title on a number of occasions - they have achieved this four times in 98, 99, 04 and 08. Australian International striker Adam Taggart will look to build on a successful 2019 season when he was the top scorer in the league netting 20 times. He was with Fulham from 2014 to 2016 but didn't make a first team appearance - He did spend a short spell on loan North of the border with Dundee United.
Ulsan Hyundai
Last season's runner's up. Won the 2012 AFC Champions League. Have two previous title wins in 1996 and 2005. The loss of Kim Bo-Kyung to rival's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors has been offset with the marquee signing of Lee Chung-Yong from German side VFB Bochum - The South Korean International winger is well known in England from his spells with Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
Friday 8th May
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Suwon Samsung Bluewings (11am)
Saturday 9th May
Ulsan Hyundai v Sangju Sangmu (6am)
Incheon United v Daegu FC (8.30am)
Gwangju FC v Seongnam FC (11am)
Sunday 10th May
Pohang Steelers v Busan IPark (6am)
Gangwon v FC Seoul (8.30am)
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