2024 in South Korean football

This article shows a summary of the 2024 football season in South Korea.

Football in South Korea
Season2024
Men's football
K League 1Ulsan HD
K League 2FC Anyang
K3 LeagueSiheung Citizen
K4 LeagueJeonbuk Hyundai Motors B
Korea CupPohang Steelers
Women's football
WK LeagueSuwon FC
← 2023 South Korea 2025 →

National teams

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AFC Asian Cup

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Under manager Jürgen Klinsmann, South Korea were considered among the pre-tournament favourites.[1] After winning their opening match against Bahrain, the team failed to win their remaining two group stage matches after drawing with Jordan and Malaysia, respectively, finishing second in their group and conceding goals in all matches.[1] South Korea narrowly advanced to the semi-finals after knocking out Saudi Arabia on penalties and Australia in extra time, but Klinsmann was heavily criticised for his lack of tactical ability.[2] Korean FA president Chung Mong-gyu, who directly appointed Klinsmann as national team manager without a general process, was called to be held responsible for his decision after South Korea's semi-final loss to Jordan without a shot on target.[3]

15 January Group E South Korea   3–1   Bahrain Al Rayyan, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Jassim bin Hamad Stadium
Attendance: 8,388
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
20 January Group E Jordan   2–2   South Korea Doha, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
Attendance: 36,627
Referee: Salman Falahi (Qatar)
25 January Group E South Korea   3–3   Malaysia Al Wakrah, Qatar
14:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
Attendance: 30,117
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
Group E table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   Bahrain 3 2 0 1 3 3 0 6 Advance to knockout stage
2   South Korea 3 1 2 0 8 6 +2 5
3   Jordan 3 1 1 1 6 3 +3 4
4   Malaysia 3 0 1 2 3 8 –5 1
30 January Round of 16 Saudi Arabia   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(2–4 p)
  South Korea Al Rayyan, Qatar
19:00 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Education City Stadium
Attendance: 42,389
Referee: Ilgiz Tantashev (Uzbekistan)
Penalties
2 February Quarter-finals Australia   1–2 (a.e.t.)   South Korea Al Wakrah, Qatar
18:30 UTC+3
Report
Stadium: Al Janoub Stadium
Attendance: 39,632
Referee: Ahmed Al-Kaf (Oman)
6 February Semi-finals Jordan   2–0   South Korea Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Ahmad bin Ali Stadium
Attendance: 42,850
Referee: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)

FIFA World Cup qualification

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21 March AFC second round, Group C South Korea   1–1   Thailand Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report
Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 64,912
Referee: Khalid Al-Turais (Saudi Arabia)
26 March AFC second round, Group C Thailand   0–3   South Korea Bangkok, Thailand
19:30 UTC+7 Report Stadium: Rajamangala Stadium
Attendance: 45,458
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
6 June AFC second round, Group C Singapore   0–7   South Korea Kallang, Singapore
20:00 UTC+8 Report Lee Kang-in   9', 54'
Joo Min-kyu   20'
Son Heung-min   53', 56'
Bae Jun-ho   79'
Hwang Hee-chan   82'
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 49,097
Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)
11 June AFC second round, Group C South Korea   1–0   China Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 64,935
Referee: Mohammed Al Hoish (Saudi Arabia)
AFC second round, Group C table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Korea 6 5 1 0 20 1 +19 16 Advance to AFC third round
2   China[a] 6 2 2 2 9 9 0 8
3   Thailand 6 2 2 2 9 9 0 8
4   Singapore 6 0 1 5 5 24 −19 1
Source: FIFA AFC
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
5 September AFC third round, Group B South Korea   0–0   Palestine Seoul, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9 Report Stadium: Seoul World Cup Stadium
Attendance: 59,579
Referee: Alireza Faghani (Australia)
10 September AFC third round, Group B Oman   1–3   South Korea Muscat, Oman
18:00 UTC+4
Report
Stadium: Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex
Referee: Ma Ning (China)
10 October AFC third round, Group B Jordan   0–2   South Korea Amman, Jordan
17:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Amman International Stadium
Referee: Hiroyuki Kimura (Japan)
15 October AFC third round, Group B South Korea   3–2   Iraq Yongin, South Korea
20:00 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Yongin Mireu Stadium
Attendance: 35,198
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
14 November AFC third round, Group B Kuwait   1–3   South Korea Kuwait City, Kuwait
17:00 UTC+3
  • Daham   60'
Stadium: Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City
Attendance: 22,791
Referee: Shaun Evans (Australia)
19 November AFC third round, Group B Palestine   1–1   South Korea Amman, Jordan
17:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Amman International Stadium
Attendance: 2,405
Referee: Yusuke Araki (Japan)
  1. ^ Head-to-head points: China 4, Thailand 1.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

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16 April Group B South Korea   1–0   United Arab Emirates Qatar
Report Attendance: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Referee: Rustam Lutfullin (Uzbekistan)
19 April Group B China   0–2   South Korea Qatar
Report
Stadium: Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Doha
Referee: Mohammed Al-Shammari (Qatar)
22 April Group B Japan   0–1   South Korea Al Rayyan, Qatar
16:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium
Referee: Majed Al-Shamrani (Saudi Arabia)
Group B table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1   South Korea 3 3 0 0 4 0 +4 9 Advance to knockout stage
2   Japan 3 2 0 1 3 1 +2 6
3   China 3 1 0 2 2 4 −2 3
4   United Arab Emirates 3 0 0 3 1 5 −4 0
Source: AFC

WAFF U-23 Championship

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20 March Quarter-finals South Korea   1–0   Thailand Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
20:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Prince Abdullah bin Jalawi Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Alaeddin Sheikh Ahmad (Lebanon)
23 March Semi-finals Saudi Arabia   0–1   South Korea Al Mubarraz, Saudi Arabia
23:00 UTC+3 Report
Stadium: Al Fateh Stadium
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Saad Ahmed (Egypt)
26 March Final Australia   2–2
(3–4 p)
  South Korea Al Mubarraz, Saudi Arabia
23:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Al Fateh Stadium
Penalties

Friendlies

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Senior team

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6 January South Korea   1–0   Iraq Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
17:00 UTC+4
Report Stadium: New York University Stadium
Attendance: 100
Referee: Yahya Al-Mulla (United Arab Emirates)

Under-23 team

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3 June Maurice Revello Tournament South Korea   0–2   Saudi Arabia Vitrolles, France
14:00 UTC+2 Report
Stadium: Stade Jules-Ladoumègue
Referee: Veronika Bernatskaia (Kyrgyzstan)
5 June Maurice Revello Tournament Ivory Coast   2–1   South Korea Fos-sur-Mer, France
14:00 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade Parsemain
Referee: Odette Hamilton (Jamaica)
7 June Maurice Revello Tournament France   1–0   South Korea Aubagne, France
17:30 UTC+2
Report Stadium: Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny
Referee: Susana Corella (Ecuador)
14 June Maurice Revello Tournament South Korea   2–1   Indonesia Saint-Chamas, France
14:00 UTC+2
Report
Stadium: Stade René Gimet
Referee: Akhona Makalima (South Africa)
  1. ^ Not recognised as an official match.

Women's team

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24 February Czech Republic   1–2   South Korea Lisbon, Portugal
18:00 UTC±0
Report
Referee: Sandra Braz Bastos (Portugal)
27 February Portugal   5–1   South Korea Estoril, Portugal
--:-- UTC±0
Stadium: Estádio António Coimbra da Mota
Referee: Daniela Constantinescu (Romania)
5 April Philippines   0–3   South Korea Icheon, South Korea
Report
Stadium: Icheon Sports Complex
8 April Philippines   1–2   South Korea Icheon, South Korea
19:00 UTC+9
Report
Stadium: Icheon Sports Complex
1 June United States   4–0   South Korea Commerce City, United States
15:00 UTC−6
Report Stadium: Dick's Sporting Goods Park
Attendance: 19,010
Referee: Carly Shaw-MacLaren (Canada)
4 June United States   3–0   South Korea St. Paul, United States
19:00 UTC−5
Report Stadium: Allianz Field
Attendance: 19,169
Referee: Astrid Azucena Gramajo (Guatemala)
26 October Japan   4–0   South Korea Tokyo, Japan
14:20 UTC+9
Report Stadium: Japan National Stadium
Attendance: 12,420
Referee: Shu Ting Yang (Chinese Taipei)
29 November Spain   5–0   South Korea Cartagena, Spain
19:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio Cartagonova
Attendance: 8,660
Referee: Kirsty Dowle (England)
3 December Canada   5–1   South Korea Murcia, Spain
18:00 UTC+1
Report Lee Hyo-kyeong   76' Stadium: Pinatar Arena

Leagues

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K League 1

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation[a]
1 Ulsan HD (C) 38 21 9 8 62 40 +22 72 Qualification for Champions League Elite league stage
2 Gangwon FC 38 19 7 12 62 56 +6 64
3 Gimcheon Sangmu[b] 38 18 9 11 55 41 +14 63
4 FC Seoul 38 16 10 12 55 42 +13 58 Qualification for Champions League Elite play-off round
5 Suwon FC 38 15 8 15 54 57 −3 53
6 Pohang Steelers 38 14 11 13 53 50 +3 53 Qualification for Champions League Two group stage[c]
7 Jeju United 38 15 4 19 38 54 −16 49
8 Daejeon Hana Citizen 38 12 12 14 43 47 −4 48
9 Gwangju FC 38 14 5 19 42 49 −7 47
10 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (O) 38 10 12 16 49 59 −10 42 Qualification for relegation play-offs
11 Daegu FC (O) 38 9 13 16 45 52 −7 40
12 Incheon United (R) 38 9 12 17 38 49 −11 39 Relegation to K League 2
Source: Soccerway K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Teams played each other three times (33 matches), before the league was split into two groups, the top six and the bottom six.
  2. ^ Military-owned team Gimcheon Sangmu cannot qualify for AFC competitions.
  3. ^ Qualified as Korea Cup champions.

K League 2

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Regular season

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or qualification
1 FC Anyang (C, P) 36 18 9 9 51 36 +15 63 Promotion to K League 1
2 Chungnam Asan 36 17 9 10 60 44 +16 60 Qualification for promotion play-offs final round
3 Seoul E-Land 36 17 7 12 62 45 +17 58 Qualification for promotion play-offs second round
4 Jeonnam Dragons 36 16 9 11 61 50 +11 57 Qualification for promotion play-offs first round
5 Busan IPark 36 16 8 12 55 45 +10 56
6 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 36 15 11 10 46 35 +11 56
7 Gimpo FC 36 14 12 10 43 41 +2 54
8 Bucheon FC 1995 36 12 13 11 44 45 −1 49
9 Cheonan City 36 11 10 15 48 57 −9 43
10 Chungbuk Cheongju 36 8 16 12 32 42 −10 40
11 Ansan Greeners 36 9 10 17 35 48 −13 37
12 Gyeongnam FC 36 6 15 15 45 62 −17 33
13 Seongnam FC 36 5 11 20 34 66 −32 26
Source: K League Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goals scored; 3) Goal difference; 4) Wins; 5) Head-to-head points
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted

Promotion play-offs

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First round Second round Final 1
           
3 Seoul E-Land 2
4 Jeonnam Dragons 2
4 Jeonnam Dragons 0
5 Busan IPark 0
Seoul E-Land 1 1 2
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2 2 4
Final 2
Chungnam Asan 4 1 5
Daegu FC (a.e.t.) 3 3 6

K3 League

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Regular season

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion or relegation
1 Siheung Citizen (C) 30 18 6 6 60 27 +33 60
2 Hwaseong FC (P) 30 16 8 6 56 32 +24 56 Promotion to K League 2[a]
3 Gyeongju KHNP 30 17 5 8 44 28 +16 56
4 Changwon FC 30 14 8 8 48 31 +17 50
5 Gimhae FC 30 13 11 6 41 28 +13 50
6 FC Mokpo 30 15 4 11 49 45 +4 49
7 Daejeon Korail 30 11 13 6 42 28 +14 46
8 Paju Citizen 30 11 9 10 30 30 0 42
9 Gangneung Citizen 30 10 9 11 34 41 −7 39
10 Yangpyeong FC 30 11 4 15 33 45 −12 37
11 Yeoju FC 30 9 8 13 26 42 −16 35
12 Ulsan Citizen 30 9 7 14 30 43 −13 34
13 Busan Transportation Corporation 30 9 3 18 38 60 −22 30
14 Chuncheon Citizen 30 4 14 12 27 38 −11 26
15 Pocheon Citizen (O) 30 5 11 14 34 49 −15 26 Qualification for relegation play-off
16 Daegu FC B (R) 30 5 6 19 36 61 −25 21 Relegation to K4 League
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Wins
(C) Champions; (O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Promoted after getting a license for K League 2.

Relegation play-off

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The relegation play-off was contested between the 15th-placed team of K3 League and the third-placed team of K4 League (instead of runners-up Daejeon Hana Citizen B).

WK League

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Regular season

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Hwacheon KSPO 28 16 8 4 49 27 +22 56 Qualification for Championship
2 Suwon FC 28 15 8 5 47 31 +16 53 Qualification for Play-off
3 Gyeongju KHNP 28 14 9 5 54 36 +18 51
4 Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels 28 12 11 5 36 25 +11 47
5 Sejong Sportstoto 28 9 11 8 31 30 +1 38
6 Seoul City 28 6 9 13 33 44 −11 27
7 Mungyeong Sangmu 28 4 7 17 24 45 −21 19
8 Changnyeong WFC 28 2 5 21 11 47 −36 11
Source: Soccerway

Championship play-offs

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Play-off
(Semi-final)
Championship
(Finals)
1 Hwacheon KSPO 0 2 2
2 Suwon FC (p) 1 (5) Suwon FC 2 1 3
3 Gyeongju KHNP 1 (4)

Final table

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Pos Team Qualification
1 Suwon FC (C) Qualification for Champions League
2 Hwacheon KSPO
3 Gyeongju KHNP
Source: Soccerway
(C) Champions

Domestic cups

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Korea Cup

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Round of 16
(Fourth round)
Quarter-finals
(Fifth round)
Semi-finals
(Sixth round)
Final
(Seventh round)
 
                      
 
 
 
 
Pohang Steelers (p)1 (5)
 
 
 
Suwon Samsung Bluewings1 (4)
 
Pohang Steelers050
 
 
 
FC Seoul1
 
FC Seoul (p)0 (5)
 
 
 
Gangwon FC0 (4)
 
Pohang Steelers020020040
 
 
 
Jeju United213
 
Gimpo FC1
 
 
 
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors0
 
Gimpo FC0
 
 
 
Jeju United1
 
Daejeon Hana Citizen0 (7)
 
 
 
Jeju United (p)0 (8)
 
Pohang Steelers (a.e.t.)030
 
 
 
Ulsan HD1
 
Bucheon FC 19952
 
 
 
Gwangju FC3
 
Gwangju FC (a.e.t.)3
 
 
 
Seongnam FC2
 
Seongnam FC (p)1 (5)
 
 
 
Chungbuk Cheongju1 (4)
 
Gwangju FC022
 
 
 
Ulsan HD123
 
Ulsan HD (p)4 (3)
 
 
 
Gyeongnam FC4 (0)
 
Ulsan HD1
 
 
 
Incheon United0
 
Incheon United (p)0 (4)
 
 
Gimcheon Sangmu0 (3)
 

International cups

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AFC Champions League Elite

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2023–24 season

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The previous rounds before the knockout stage were held in 2023.

Team Result Round Aggregate Score Venue Opponent
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Quarter-finals Round of 16 3–1 2–0 Home   Pohang Steelers
1–1 Away
Quarter-finals 1–2 1–1 Home   Ulsan HD
0–1 Away
Pohang Steelers Round of 16 Round of 16 1–3 0–2 Away   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
1–1 Home
Ulsan HD Semi-finals Round of 16 5–1 3–0 Home   Ventforet Kofu
2–1 Away
Quarter-finals 2–1 1–1 Away   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
1–0 Home
Semi-finals 3–3 (4–5 p) 1–0 Home   Yokohama F. Marinos
2–3 (a.e.t.) Away

2024–25 season

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The other two league stage matches and the next rounds were held in 2025.

Team Result Round Aggregate Score Venue Opponent
Gwangju FC League East 7–3 Home   Yokohama F. Marinos
1–0 Away   Kawasaki Frontale
3–1 Home   Johor Darul Ta'zim
0–2 Away   Vissel Kobe
1–0 Home   Shanghai Shenhua
1–1 Away   Shanghai Port
Pohang Steelers League East 1–4 Away   Shanghai Shenhua
3–0 Home   Shanghai Port
0–1 Away   Buriram United
4–2 Home   Shandong Taishan
0–2 Away   Yokohama F. Marinos
3–1 Home   Vissel Kobe
Ulsan HD League East 0–1 Home   Kawasaki Frontale
0–4 Away   Yokohama F. Marinos
0–2 Home   Vissel Kobe
0–3 Away   Johor Darul Ta'zim
1–3 Home   Shanghai Port
2–1 Away   Shanghai Shenhua

AFC Champions League Two

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The next rounds after the group stage were held in 2025.

Team Result Round Aggregate Score Venue Opponent
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Knockout stage Group H Winners 6–0 Away   Dynamic Herb Cebu
4–0 Home
4–1 Home   Muangthong United
0–1 Away
1–2 Away   Selangor
1–0 Home

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Some criticism of South Korea at Asian Cup has crossed a line says Son". Reuters. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  2. ^ Spiers, Tim (11 February 2024). "Inside Jurgen Klinsmann and South Korea's awful Asian Cup: Tactics, travel and too many smiles". The Athletic. Retrieved 18 February 2024.
  3. ^ 축구대표팀 8일 밤 귀국…클린스만 경질론·정몽규 책임론 거세질 듯. Nate.com (in Korean). Xportsnews. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
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