Five in a row: Gwangju's tactical fouls silence Seoul again (Gwangju FC vs FC Seoul analysis) | OneFootball

Gwangju FC Extend Dominance Over FC Seoul with Clinical Away Win

Tactical Fouls and Finishing Quality Secure Fifth Consecutive Victory Against Capital Club

Gwangju FC continued their remarkable run against FC Seoul with a 2-1 victory at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Saturday, extending their winning streak in this fixture to five matches.

Goals from Reis and Park Tae-Jun proved enough for the visitors, despite Jesse Lingard pulling one back for the hosts in the closing stages.

Clinical Finishing Makes the Difference

In a match where both sides created opportunities, it was Gwangju's efficiency in front of goal that ultimately separated the teams. Reis opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, continuing his impressive form since joining in the winter transfer window.

Park Tae-Jun doubled the advantage after 64 minutes, giving Gwangju a cushion they would ultimately need as Seoul mounted a late comeback attempt.

FC Seoul manager Kim Gi-Dong acknowledged the difference in finishing quality afterward: "We created chances but couldn't convert them. That was decisive today."

Tactical Fouls Part of Gwangju's Game Plan

Gwangju's disciplinary record raised eyebrows, with six players receiving yellow cards. However, manager Lee Jung-Hyo made no apologies for his team's approach in the closing stages.

"The late yellow cards? I instructed them," Lee admitted candidly after the match. "We needed to break Seoul's momentum and secure these points, especially with our AFC Champions League fixture in Saudi Arabia coming up."

The tactical fouls worked, as Gwangju successfully disrupted Seoul's rhythm after Lingard's 79th-minute goal had threatened a comeback.

Injury Concerns Mount for Seoul

FC Seoul's struggles were compounded by ongoing injury issues. The absence of experienced midfielders Ki Sung-Yueng and Jung Seung-Won—both sidelined for 1-2 months—has significantly impacted the team's midfield stability.

Despite these challenges, Lingard continues to be a bright spot for Seoul. The former Manchester United midfielder not only scored but was at the heart of most attacking moves for the capital club.

Continental Ambitions and League Positioning

The victory propelled Gwangju to second place in the K League 1 with 16 points, while Seoul dropped further down the table.

Lee Jung-Hyo's attention now turns to continental competition, with Gwangju preparing for a challenging AFC Champions League fixture against Saudi powerhouse Al-Hilal.

"I appreciate Kim Gi-Dong and FC Seoul for accommodating our schedule," Lee said. "We're representing the K League and Korea in Asia, and that support means a lot."