Pohang Fall 2-0 to Johor With 10 Men
Pohang Steelers lost 2-0 to Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in the second match of the 2026-27 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) league stage at Pohang Steel Yard on October 13. The turning point came in first-half stoppage time, when defender Jeon Min-kwang was sent off. A penalty was initially awarded, but after a VAR review it was changed to a free kick, while the red card stood. Down to 10 men, Pohang conceded to Marcos Guilherme four minutes into the second half and gave up a second goal in the 89th minute. After losing 3-1 at Beijing in their opener, Pohang have now lost both ACLE matches. Back at Steel Yard for the first time in about two months, they had hoped for a turnaround but could not deliver one.
Source: Ilgan Sports
Daejeon Draw 1-1 in Shanghai, Stay Unbeaten
Daejeon Hana Citizen drew 1-1 away to Shanghai Port in the second match of the ACLE league stage at Shanghai’s Pudong Stadium on October 13. Four minutes into the second half, an opposing cross deflected off Kim Bong-su’s foot and Prince Ampem finished with his left foot to give Shanghai the lead. Five minutes later, Jung Jae-hee crossed from the right and Diogo headed home the equalizer. Daejeon had more chances to win it, including a bicycle kick by Joo Min-kyu, a shot by Rubisson and a stoppage-time header from Joo, but could not find a second goal. After beating Kyoto Sanga 1-0 at home in their opener, Daejeon remain unbeaten in the ACLE with one win and one draw.
Source: Sports Kyunghyang
Seoul Send Reserves to ACL2, Eye Title
K League 1 leaders FC Seoul have sent what is effectively a reserve squad to the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2) to focus on winning the league. Seoul face Melbourne FC away at AAMI Park in Australia on October 14 in their second Group E match. Manager Kim Gi-dong trimmed the traveling squad to 20 and kept every player who appeared against Jeju on October 10 at home. Huiz is the only foreign player on the trip, and five Osan High School products on semi-pro contracts will play in their first international competition. Seoul’s focus is on the Round 32 home game against Gimcheon Sangmu on October 18. If second-place Ulsan fail to beat Bucheon on October 17 and Seoul defeat Gimcheon, Seoul will clinch their first league title since 2016 early. Seoul lost their ACL2 opener 1-0 to Persib Bandung.
Source: Sports Donga
Jeonbuk’s Chung Eyes Points in Kobe
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors visit Vissel Kobe at Noevir Stadium Kobe in Japan at 7 p.m. on October 14 for their second ACLE league-stage match. It is a clash between last season’s K League 1 and J1 League champions, and both sides won their openers, with Jeonbuk beating Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 on September 16. “Since we won the first match, our goal is to keep collecting points in this away game too,” manager Chung Jung-yong said at the pre-match press conference on October 13. Jeonbuk, however, sit fifth in the league with 44 points and are winless in their last four matches (two draws, two losses). They also host fourth-place Jeju SK on October 18. Center back Kim Young-bin, playing in the ACLE for the first time, said, “I want to put on a good performance representing the K League.”
Source: Sports Donga
Moreno Scouts K League in Person
Roberto Moreno, interim manager of the South Korea national football team, kept visiting K League grounds during the holiday break after finishing four friendlies in September and October. He watched K League 1 matches Daejeon vs. Jeonbuk on October 9 and Seoul vs. Jeju on October 10, then K League 2’s Suwon Samsung vs. Ansan on October 11. His coaches also attended Incheon vs. Pohang on October 9 and Gimcheon vs. Anyang on October 10. Eleven of the 30 players called up during this international window came from the K League, with Seoul’s Jeong Seung-won and Ulsan’s Cho Hyun-taek among those who impressed. Moreno’s contract runs until November 27 but could be extended through next year’s Asian Cup depending on results. “He plans to keep watching many K League players in person,” his representative said. The two November friendlies will be the final test of his future.
Source: Sports Donga