Korean K Preview: Seoul’s AFC Champions League battle is costly, as many as 3 people from Gangwon are suspended at the same time
At 13:00 on October 26, Beijing time, in the 34th round of the 2025 K-League season, FC Seoul faced Gangwon FC at the home team court.
The home team FC Seoul lost 1-2 to Pohang Ironman in the last round of the league. In the AFC Champions League in midweek, they lost 0-2 at the feet of Shanghai Shenhua. They have suffered two consecutive defeats recently.
It is worth mentioning that Seoul only made a small rotation when facing Shanghai Shenhua in midweek. Only core players such as Cao Yongxu and Zheng Chengyuan got a chance to rest. Even the defense defender Yazan Arab, who had just returned from injury, was also arranged to start and tried to play half of the game to find a sense of competition. Goalkeeper Kang Hyun-moo, a key member of the team who had suffered from psychological problems before, got a chance to start again after many games, but his competitive form is still sluggish. During this away team's field trip, Seoul's core players spent a lot of energy.
In terms of injuries, only forward Klimala cannot play. Defender Yazan Arab returned to the game after recovering from injury. He should be able to get more playing time in this game, but his physical competitive condition is obviously not at its best.
The visiting team Gangwon FC drew 2-2 with Daegu in the last round of the league and successfully entered the championship group. Gangwon, who had no relegation pressure, fielded a full core lineup of players in the AFC Champions League match in midweek and defeated the J-League strong team Kobe 4-3.
In terms of personnel, as many as three players of the team were suspended for this game at the same time. Brazilian foreign aid Vitor Gabriel, rotating midfielder Kim Kang-guo and core left-back Song Jun-suk are all suspended for this game and will definitely be absent today. Forward Vitor Gabriel, who has been inefficient in scoring this season, has been reduced to a reserve player, and his absence will only affect the team's bench depth. Left back Song Junxi has performed well this season, and it is expected that versatile Li Qiyi will replace him. In addition, wing forward Cui Bingzan is injured and cannot play in this game.
In terms of battle record, among the three clashes this season, the two sides drew once, each with one victory and a tie. In the last 10 games, Seoul has 5 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses, giving them a psychological advantage. Seoul has faced Gangwon in the last 8 home games, with 5 wins and 3 draws, remaining unbeaten.
