Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Pohang: AFC Champions League quarter-finalists Pohang Steelers and FC Seoul drew goalless in their K League Classic’s 14th round match on Wednesday at Pohang Steelyard Stadium with the former club maintaining their top position in the league’s standings.
It was the second straight time Pohang drew blanks after their 0-0 draw with Jeju United last Saturday as the league continued after almost two months’ break to make way for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil where the national team took part.
Despite the latest draw, Pohang managed to stay in pole position thanks to contenders Jeonbuk Motors who, trailing them by only two points, drew 1-1 with Jeju in another match. Had Jeonbuk won the game, they would have leapfrogged Pohang to top position.
Pohang have accumulated 27 points from 14 games and will have to win their next league game against Ulsan on July 12 to keep a safe distance from Jeonbuk who have amassed 25 points.
Meanwhile FC Seoul dropped from seventh spot to ninth following the draw with Pohang with results from the other five matches that day also contributing to the fall.
Just like Pohang, Wednesday’s latest match was Seoul’s second straight stalemate, having drawn 2-2 with Jeonnam Dragons last Saturday with Jong Ho-lee and Macedonian striker Stevica Ristic contributing their goals.
The Korean league match between Pohang and Seoul was a ‘rehearsal’ for both teams as they will take on each other in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals which will begin on August 20 with Pohang hosting before the action shifts to Seoul’s World Cup Stadium for the second leg a week later.