'Kim Ki-dong Magic' Seoul, Finally the Champions! K League 'Unification of All Under Heaven' in 10 Years... 1-1 Draw with Gangwon: 'Gu Seong-yun PK Save Show → Moon Sun-min Equalizer' [Sangam On-Site Review]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

FC Seoul has climbed to the throne of the K League after 10 years. They have finally pinned their seventh star on their chest.

Seoul drew 1-1 with Gangwon FC in a home match at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 24th, in Round 33 of the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 season, thanks to Moon Sun-min's equalizing goal.

Adding one point to their tally, Seoul reached 67 points (20 wins, 7 draws, 7 losses), completely shaking off the pursuit of second-place Ulsan HD (51 points), who drew with Pohang Steelers at the same time. As a result, Seoul has secured an early championship in K League 1 for this season on their own merit, regardless of the results of the remaining five matches in the final round.

Seoul's last time standing atop K League 1 was 10 years ago, in 2016. Since the introduction of the split system, Seoul is only the third team to secure an early championship during the regular round, following Jeonbuk Hyundai in 2018 and 2025. In front of approximately 30,000 spectators at the stadium, Seoul completely washed away their 10-year championship drought and lifted their seventh title trophy in history.

Seoul, led by Manager Kim Ki-dong on this day, deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Up front, the two-striker duo of Klimara and Hoois led the attack, while Anderson, Babetz, Son Jeong-beom, and Jeong Seung-won were positioned in the second line. The back four consisted of Kim Jin-su, Yazan, Lee Sang-min, and Choi Jun. Gu Seong-yun donned the goalkeeper gloves.

Manager Jung Kyung-ho countered with a 4-4-2 formation for Gangwon as well. Go Young-jun and Choi Byung-chan took charge of the front line, while Kim Jae-won and Mo Jae-hyun stood on the left and right flanks, respectively. The midfield was formed by Seo Min-woo and Lee Yu-hyeon. The back four featured Kang Jun-hyuk, Lee Gi-hyuk, Shin Min-ha, and Hwang Moon-gi. Goalkeeper Park Cheong-hyo guarded the net.

After a tense probing phase, the first shot of the match finally came in the middle of the first half. In the 24th minute of the first half, Mo Jae-hyun immediately connected with a shot after receiving a pass from Go Young-jun at the center of the penalty box, but it flew high over the bar.

One minute later, Seoul counterattacked. Kim Jin-su fired a long-range shot from outside the box, but Lee Yu-hyeon blocked it with his body. Lee Yu-hyeon, who took the ball in his side, was unable to get up for a while.

Gangwon once again threatened Seoul's goal. In the 30th minute of the first half, Kang Jun-hyuk cut inside from the left flank and passed to the center, where Seo Min-woo controlled the ball and attempted a low drive at the corner, but it went slightly wide to the left of the goalpost.

Gangwon missed another decisive opportunity. In the 36th minute of the first half, goalkeeper Gu Seong-yun parried a shot fired by Choi Byung-chan from close range directly in front of him.

Pressing hard, Gangwon even earned a penalty kick (PK) late in the first half, but Kim Dae-won missed, swallowing their disappointment. In stoppage time of the first half, a PK was awarded after Kim Jin-su pulled Seo Min-woo down. Kicker Kim Dae-won shot to the right side, but Gu Seong-yun dove and parried it away. The first half ended 0-0 without any goals.

Manager Kim Ki-dong brought on Moon Sun-min, Lee Han-do, Hwang Do-yun, and Kim Geon-hee all at once at the start of the second half, and the substitutions paid off.

Moon Sun-min, who showed lively movement immediately after coming on, scored the opening goal. In the 13th minute of the second half, Moon Sun-min received a pass from Anderson and shook the net with a powerful right-footed shot from the penalty LINE. Moon Sun-min ran to the stands, performed his signature 'knee slide celebration,' followed by his unique 'control tower celebration.'

Seoul's joy was short-lived. Gangwon scored an equalizer in the 20th minute of the second half to level the score. Kim Rae-won threaded a through ball to Kang Jun-hyuk, who was making a run into the box, and Kang Jun-hyuk pushed it in with his right foot.

In the remaining time, both teams engaged in fierce exchanges, but no winning goal emerged, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw, allowing Seoul to pin their seventh star on their chest.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original