The 2023 K League 1 starts this season with a rivalry match between Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai.
The Korea Professional Football Federation announced the schedule from round 1 to round 33 of the 2023 K League 1 regular round on the 13th. The official opening game will be a confrontation between Ulsan and Jeonbuk at 2:00 pm on February 25 at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium.
It is a big match between the ‘defending champion’ Ulsan and the FA Cup winner Jeonbuk. The rivalry that has been fiercely competing for the league championship in recent years is predicting a fierce battle this year as well.
In the 2021 season, Ulsan recruited the Swedish duo of K-League 1 scorer Ju Min-gyu, Daryan Boyanich, and Gustav Rubiksson in turn. Ulsan, who won the league championship for the first time in 17 years last season, will drive the momentum and challenge for a second consecutive victory.
Jeonbuk, which failed to achieve its 6th consecutive K-League title, recruited Lee Dong-jun and Amano, who played in Ulsan. In addition, they strengthened their attacking team by embracing Rafael, a Brazilian striker who has won the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
On the same day at 4:30 pm, FC Seoul and Incheon United will play at Seoul World Cup Stadium, and Suwon Samsung and Gwangju FC at Suwon World Cup Stadium. On February 26 at 2:00 PM, Pohang Steelers and Daegu FC will meet at the Pohang Steel Yard. Jeju United will also play its first match against Suwon FC at the Jeju World Cup Stadium.
At 4:30 pm on the 26th, Daejeon Hana Citizen, who have been promoted to the K-League 1, will face Gangwon FC at the home of the Daejeon World Cup Stadium. Gwangju, which was promoted by winning the K-League 2 last season, will face Seoul at 4:30 pm on March 5th in the home opening game of the Gwangju Soccer Stadium. 먹튀검증
Rival team matchups also raise expectations. The first ‘Super Match’ between Seoul and Suwon will be held on April 22 at 2:00 PM at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Ulsan and Pohang’s first ‘East Coast Derby’ will be held at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium at 4:30 pm on the same day.