Five must-see games to end the season | OneFootball

The hardest part about this exercise was narrowing down the remaining fixtures in Final A, Final B, and K League 2 to a subjective list of five. It does a disservice to the relegation and promotion battles but these are, likely, to be the games where titles are won and an unfortunate team is sent down.

Gimcheon Stadium. Saturday, October 19th. 16:30.

The only game from Final A to feature on this list comes in at number 5. Last week, Gimcheon looked to be on course to completely blow open the title race with a seismic victory in Munsu. Instead, two late goals (a feature of Korean domestic football) transformed the game and likely the season. Yago Cariello scored the winner, this 12th of the campaign, to complete the turn around. This is why Ulsan caused controversary by bringing Yago in from fellow contenders Gangwon FC; because they can.

As faith would have it, the two sides meet in the first game back after the break. This time Gimcheon will have home advantage but they know - like the rest of us - that a victory is the only result to keep the title race alive into the remaining weeks. The league probably needs it, too. The current gap is five points, and I suspect every neutral from Seoul to Seogwipo will be hoping for a Gimcheon win.

[LISTEN: Final A run down podcast]

Number 4: Gimpo FC vs. Suwon Samsung

Solteo Stadium. Sunday, October 27th. 14:00.

The inconceivable is very much on. Suwon Samsung, the biggest club to have ever been relegated to K League 2, are odds-on to extend to stay beyond a solitary season. To make matters worse, they might see out their maiden season in the second tier without claiming a playoff slot. Given Suwon have been bouncing around from one embarrassment to another (losing twice at home to, eh, Cheonan City FC might be the nadir) not even finishing top 5 would represent a very Suwon season. Maybe Yeom Ki-hun wasn't the problem after all?

Suwon are currently ahead of Gimpo in the table, but on current form, you'd be putting the mortgage on Gimpo to make the playoffs. It mightn't make much sense, given they're currently 8th, but they look the best equipped out of any team in the division to knock a K League 1 team off their pedestal. Gimpo's mediocre position can be attributed to their most unusual of seasons, and the fact that senior players started slowly. But Luis Mina is scoring again, Bruno is a class act, and Leo Pllana is the best player in the league. If they finish top 5, they have the tools to get promoted.

Number 3: Jeonbuk Motors vs. Daegu FC.

Jeonju World Cup Stadium. Sunday, November 10th. 16:30.

I thought Jeonbuk were clear of relegation worries after opening the cheque book over the summer and recording some big wins (including a 6-0 demolition of sorry Suwon) in the last few weeks. Then they responded to a 2-0 deficit against Daegu to stun DGB Bank Park with what looked like an 85th minute winner. Had they held on, they'd be 9th, five points clear of 10th and practically safe. Then they chucked it all away; conceding twice in added-on time to lose 4-3.

The net result is Daegu are 9th, Jeonbuk occupy a relegation-promotion slot, and time is running out. It is possible they go on a run after the break, rendering this game meaningless, but given what we've seen this year, that is unlikely. If you thought Suwon going down was a big deal, imagine the scenes if Jeonbuk Motors joined them in K League 2. This clash with Daegu offers them a chance at revenge; more importantly, it could save them from total humiliation.

Number 2: FC Anyang vs. Busan IPark.

Anyang Stadium. Sunday, October 20th. 16:30.

On the face of it, Anyang should be breathing a massive sigh of relief that the internationals have arrived at this juncture. Having gone nine points clear only two weeks ago, Anyang have lost three straight, whittling their sizeable advantage over their rivals down to a mere three points. Fortunately for the Violets, their latest slip up went virtually unpunished. They have failed to score in 270 minutes, and badly miss the injured Danrlei up front (Nicholas isn't fit to tie his boot laces; a poor mid summer acquisition).

Busan are an interesting team, hitting form at exactly the right time. At the half way point of the season, Busan were in 9th, spending a total of 14 weeks outside the playoff spots. Today they are third, just four points off Anyang, who they face as soon as the international break is over. Cho Seung-hwan has turned their season around and after the heartbreak of 2023, it would be some Cinderella story to claim the title this time round. Victory in Anyang won't put them top, but it could be the final blow to Anyang's chances.

Cho up, and Incheon down, would be comical!

Number 1: Incheon United vs. Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Incheon Football Stadium. Sunday, November 10th. 16:30.

What a shame this game isn't on the final weekend, as opposed to the penultimate one. In 2023, we were treated to a stirring finale in K League 1 when Suwon Samsung went north to Sangam knowing a defeat could have relegated them. They won. Then, a week later, three sides entered the final round knowing their faith was in their own hands. When the music stopped, Suwon's feeble home performance against Gangwon meant they were standing without a chair, and through the door they slipped.

[LISTEN: Final B run down podcast]

Unlike Suwon, Incheon haven't been bottom - or near the foot - for most of the season. Incheon have spent as much time in the top 6 as 12th, but form, momentum, and confidence are against them. Daejeon are no better, blowing a much-needed three points in Jeju to lose at the death. From this far out, one of Incheon or Daejeon will finish 12th. This could well be the game that decides it.