'A string of upsets' Korea Cup: Round of 16 draw revealed... Will there be another 'giant killing'?

*This content was translated by AI.

The 2026–2027 Hana Bank Korea Cup Round of 16 matches, which will determine South Korea's strongest football club, are set to take place.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on the 18th via a press release that the 2026–2027 Hana Bank Korea Cup Round of 16 matches will be held starting tomorrow, the 19th.

This round of 16 features a total of 16 teams: the 12th teams that advanced from the third round plus four K League 1 clubs participating in the AFC Champions League (ACL)—Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Daejeon Hana Citizen, Pohang Steelers, and Gangwon FC—officially joining the competition.

Whether "giant killings" will occur is the top concern. The most anticipated matchup is between K3 League's Ulsan Citizen FC and K League 1's Gwangju FC. Under manager Yoon Won-il, Ulsan Citizen FC pulled off a major upset last month on the 29th by defeating K League 1 powerhouse Ulsan HD 1-0 in the third round. With striker Kim Jae-cheol, who has scored four goals in three tournament matches, leading the charge, they are determined to overcome Gwangju as well.

The rebellion from lower divisions continues. Currently leading the K4 League, Jinju Citizen FC will face Pohang, a traditional powerhouse of K League 1, while Dangjin Citizen FC of the K3 League will travel to Jeonbuk for a match against the K League 1 side. Despite being objectively at a disadvantage in terms of team strength, they aim to capitalize on the variables of single-elimination matches and pull off an upset against the giants.

Among the eight Round of 16 matches in this Korea Cup, FC Anyang vs. Jeju SKFC, Gangwon vs. Seongnam FC, and Busan IPark vs. Bucheon FC 1995 will kick off at 7:30 p.m., while the remaining five matches will all start simultaneously at 7:00 p.m.

Meanwhile, after the Round of 16 matches, the Korea Cup schedule will take a brief break and resume in May 2027. The quarterfinals are scheduled for May 19, 2027; the semifinals on May 26, 2027; and the highly anticipated final on June 5, 2027.

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*This content was translated by AI.