K League United | South Korean football news, opinions, match previews and score predictions

Ju Se-jong: 'I hold a World Cup assist record but didn't even realise'

2026-06-08T14:24:17.045+09:00

The record holder for the longest assist for an outfield player at a World Cup is none other than Ju Se-jong, but it wasn't something the experienced midfielder, who represented the Taeguk Warriors in 2018, realised until it was pointed out to him.
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Ju Se-jong's record-breaking assist came in an iconic South Korea World Cup moment. On June 27, 2018, at the World Cup in Russia, the Taeguk Warriors headed into their final Group F game against Germany staring down the barrel of yet another group stage exit, their fourth in a row. But not only that, a group stage campaign that failed to yield a single win, as had been the case in 2014.

The odds were stacked against Korea as even a potentially morale-boosting win for players and fans alike would not guarantee a place in the knockouts.

Having lost their first two matches, 1-0 to Sweden in Nizhny Novgorod and 2-1 to Mexico in Rostov-on-Don, not only did what was then Shin Tae-yong's men need to beat the reigning world champions, Germany, but they also had to rely on Mexico beating Sweden.

The match has been described as the "Miracle of Kazan," in Korea with goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo producing a string of impressive saves. Germany had 26 shots on goal and completed nearly four times the number of passes.

Korea soaked up pressure and hit Germany on the counterattack, choosing their moments carefully. Ju Se-jong came off the bench in the 69th minute, replacing Moon Seon-min.

It signalled a change of approach in Korea's search for a goal - the passing range and vision of Ju was seen as a better route to goal than Moon's dribbling.

Korea went ahead in the 92nd minute through centre back Kim Young-gwon, a goal that then pushed Die Mannschaft to throw everything at Korea in search of an equaliser. This included goalkeeper Manuel Neuer leaving caution to the wind and joining Germany's attack. A group stage exit for the reigning World Cup winners would be unthinkable, especially to a team that was already heading home early.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

What happened in the sixth minute of added time will live long in the memory.

Ju Se-jong stole the ball from Neuer, looked up and sent a 70-yard pass into Son Heung-min, who managed to stay onside and keep pace with the pass before tucking it into an empty net.

With the Germans pushing and pushing for a blushes-sparing equaliser, the goal sealed the win and capped off an extraordinary game. All connected to Korea breathed a sigh of relief; at least if the team was going out, they were, at least, able to do so in a blaze of glory, ending on a high.

But the pass from Ju Sejong - was it instinct, or was it a specific instruction to try and pick Son out on the counter like that?

"There weren’t any specific instructions, says Ju Se-jong, speaking shortly after K League broke for the World Cup. Adding, "During the game, I noticed that Neuer was coming very far off his line, and I thought that if the timing was right, we could win the ball from him."

Ju Se-jong, at the time representing K League 2 Asan Mugunghwa as part of his mandatory military service, was already a K League 1 winner with FC Seoul, and was seen as one of the best midfielders in K League. So his pass over the top might not have been too much of a surprise to those who had watched him, but it was the quickness of it.

"Luckily, in that moment, [Neuer's] touch got a bit heavy, and after I won possession and looked up, I saw Son Heung-min raising his hand and preparing to run through on his own. I just tried to deliver the most accurate pass possible."

The pass was inch-perfect, lashed left-footed. Ju seemed to play down the skill involved in his pass, but the three touches he takes are the precise number needed. One to steal the ball from Neuer, one with his right foot to put the ball into a position where he could release the pass, then the third - the pass - turned out to be the longest assist in a World Cup from an outfield player at 75 yards. That's the record Ju Se-jong holds.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Ironically, the player who holds the record for the longest assist at a World Cup was the same man who Ju stole the ball off - Manuel Neuer. Ju admits that he wasn't aware of this stat.

"I didn’t know that. Hearing that now makes me feel proud, because it’s something people might continue talking about for the rest of my life."

The celebrations for both goals were pictures of pure joy. Korea, at this point, didn't know that Sweden were 3-0 up against Mexico.

In the end, Korea were knocked out but could at least take pride in a giant killing and being the team that toppled the current holders of the competition.

The 2018 World Cup was Ju's first, so what advice would he give to players going to their first World Cup this year?

"There are many players who are better and more experienced than me, so rather than giving advice, I’d just like to send a message of support. Naturally, media attention and public interest will grow as the World Cup approaches, but I hope our players focus only on the goal of showing their best performances, prepare well for every match, and achieve great results. I’ll be cheering for them wholeheartedly."

2026 K League 2 Round 15 Preview

2026-06-04T14:37:59.432+09:00

The final round before the World Cup break brings several intriguing storylines across the K League 2. In-form Hwaseong FC put their eight-match unbeaten run on the line against promotion contenders Suwon Samsung Bluewings, league leaders Busan IPark look to maintain momentum despite key absences, and Cheonan striker Lee Jun-ho has emerged as one of the competition’s most influential supporting forwards after inspiring his side back to winning ways.

Match of the Round

In-form Hwaseong vs. Suwon Bluewings seeking a response

Hwaseong FC versus Suwon Bluewings has been selected as the standout fixture ahead of the final round before the World Cup break.

Hwaseong are currently enjoying a remarkable run of form, going unbeaten in eight consecutive matches (six wins, two draws), including three straight victories. One of the biggest changes compared to earlier in the season has been the significant reduction in late goals conceded. Built around a solid back three defensive structure, Hwaseong have also looked dangerous going forward through the movement of Leonard Plana, Kim Byung-oh, and Jegal Jae-min. Full-backs Park Kyung-min and Kim Dae-hwan have also become key attacking outlets with their aggressive forward runs. In addition, substitutes such as Sava Petrov and Demethryus have made important attacking contributions off the bench, helping fuel the team’s momentum.

Suwon, meanwhile, face an unexpected challenge ahead of the match. No fewer than seven players are unavailable due to national youth team call-ups. Kim Jun-hong, Kang Seong-jin (U23 national team), and Lee Geon-hee (U21 national team), all of whom featured against Chungnam Asan in the previous round, will miss this game. On top of that, opposing teams have recently begun finding effective ways to counter head coach Lee Jung-hyo’s tactics, making game management more difficult. As a result, Suwon will be relying heavily on the attacking duo of Stanislav Iljutcenko and Paulinho.

The two sides met three times last year, with Suwon holding the edge with two wins and one draw. However, given Hwaseong’s recent form, Suwon are unlikely to have an easy night.

Team of the Round

Busan secure top spot before World Cup break

Busan IPark have first place wrapped up heading into the break, even before a ball is kicked this weekend. A commanding 4-1 victory over Paju Frontier in Round 14 moved Busan onto 31 points, opening up a five-point lead over second-place Seoul E-Land.

Despite leading the table, Busan have not been without setbacks this season. They suffered a 3-2 defeat to Suwon Bluewings in Round 9 and later fell 3-2 to an in-form Hwaseong side in Round 12. However, Busan’s greatest strength has been their ability to avoid consecutive defeats. Each time they have lost this season, they have responded immediately with a victory in the following match. Wins over Gimhae FC 2008 after the Suwon defeat and Paju after the Hwaseong loss are prime examples.

Their recent 4-1 victory over Paju in Round 14 was particularly impressive. With striker Cristian Renato
attracting heavy defensive attention in recent matches, Busan’s supporting attackers have begun stepping up. Gabriel Honorio took advantage of the extra attention focused on Cristian to score twice, while Kim Hyun-min has continued to play with confidence following his debut goal in Round 11. Substitutes Kim Se-hoon and Baek Ga-on have also provided energy and quality in limited minutes.

The main variable for Busan is once again national team call-ups. Park Hye-seong, Kim Hyun-min, and Baek Ga-on have all been selected for the U21 national team. All three have contributed consistently both as starters and substitutes. Meanwhile, this round’s opponents Chungnam Asan claimed their first victory under head coach Andre Gaspar after defeating Suwon 2-1 in the previous round. Attackers Charles Lokolingoy, Park Si-hoo, and Denisson Silva have all been showing improved form, making Chungnam Asan a dangerous opponent.

The two teams faced each other three times last year, with Busan winning two and losing one.

Player of the Round

Lee Jun-ho, the perfect supporting forward

Cheonan City ended a three-match winless streak (one draw, two defeats) with a 3-1 away victory over Ansan Greeners in Round 14. Park Jin-sub's men had started the season strongly, going unbeaten in their opening seven matches (three wins, four draws), but later lost momentum. In particular, they struggled to convert early chances.

The match against Ansan helped solve those issues, with Lee Jun-ho playing a central role. Introduced in the 23rd minute to replace Woo Jung-yeon, Lee used his physical presence to trouble Ansan’s defence throughout the game. His aggressive hold-up play and constant battling up front drew defender attention and gradually allowed Cheonan to take control offensively.

Lee’s influence was especially evident in two key goals. In the 59th minute, he headed the ball down inside the penalty area for Jin Eui-jun, who finished with a left-footed strike. Just before full time, Lee received the ball with his back to goal and produced an excellent pass for Lee Ji-hoon, who calmly converted a one-on-one chance to seal the victory. Although Lee did not score himself, he played a decisive role in every goal.

Cheonan, now looking for a second consecutive win with Lee leading the line, will host Suwon FC this round. Suwon FC were held to a 0-0 draw against Seongnam in their previous match.

via K League press release

2026 K League 2 Round 15 Fixtures

Friday 5th June

Daegu FC vs. Paju Frontier - 19:30
Busan IPark vs. Chungnam Asan - 19:30
Seongnam FC vs. Gimhae FC 2008 - 19:30

Saturday 6th June

Gyeongnam FC vs. Yongin FC - 19:30
Hwaseong FC vs. Suwon Bluewings - 19:30

Sunday 7th June

Cheonan City vs. Suwon FC - 19:30
Seoul E-Land vs. Chungbuk Cheongju - 19:30
Gimpo FC vs. Jeonnam Dragons - 19:30

Where to Watch

Watch all matches live and for free on TV.KLeague.com.

2026 K League 2 Round 14 Preview

2026-05-28T14:23:13.789+09:00

Round 14 of the K League 2 season brings together several of the division’s form teams as the race for promotion and playoff places continues to intensify. With confidence growing across the league and several clubs beginning to find their identity, this weekend’s fixtures could prove another important turning point in the season.

Match of the Round

Gimhae host Gimpo eyeing back-to-back wins

Round 14 sees Gimhae FC 2008 host Gimpo FC. Gimhae claimed their long-awaited first K League win in their most recent outing against Jeonnam Dragons, while Gimpo come into the match unbeaten in their last three games with two wins and a draw.

Gimhae had endured a difficult start to the season prior to the Jeonnam match, recording two draws and nine defeats. With just eight goals scored and 27 conceded, the balance between attack and defence had also been a major issue. To make matters more difficult, head coach Son Hyun-jun stepped down, meaning the Jeonnam match was overseen by assistant coach Choi Myung-sung.

However, the South Gyeongsang side looked far more organised under the interim setup. Defensively, Choi Jun-young and Yeo Jae-yul added much-needed stability, while goalkeeper Choi Pil-soo produced several crucial saves to guide the team to a 1-0 clean sheet victory. Gimhae’s concentration stood out as they protected a lead earned through an opposition own goal until the final whistle.

Gimpo, meanwhile, have also been enjoying a steady run of form. Due to renovation work on their home pitch, they have been forced to begin the season with 12 consecutive away matches, with only this trip to Gimhae remaining. Despite the demanding schedule, Gimpo have posted five wins, five draws, and two defeats, proving difficult to break down.

In their most recent match against Paju Frontier, Gimpo secured a 1-0 win thanks to Kim Sung-jun’s late winner in a tightly contested game. Their recent improvement has been credited to a shift away from their traditionally defensive approach, increasing possession while making better use of their physical strengths.

This will be the first-ever meeting between the two sides. With Gimhae looking to build momentum after their first victory and Gimpo aiming to push further up the table, an intense contest is expected. Gimhae and Gimpo meet on Saturday the 30th at Gimhae Sports Complex.

Team of the Round

A back-in-form Daegu FC

Spring has returned to Daegu. After an inconsistent start to the season, Daegu FC have successfully turned the tide thanks to a recent upturn in form.

The Sky Blues' campaign did not begin with blue skies. They appeared to be building momentum with three straight wins after the opening round, but then stumbled with two draws and three defeats in their next five matches. Defensive instability was a particular concern. Operating with a back four, Daegu repeatedly dropped points late in matches. In Round 8 against Cheonan City, they conceded twice in stoppage time to suffer a frustrating defeat.

Recently, though, the atmosphere around the club has changed completely. Under new head coach Choi Sung-yong, Daegu are unbeaten in four matches with three wins and a draw, climbing to fifth place in the standings.

Perhaps the biggest positive has been their renewed defensive solidity, keeping clean sheets in three of those four matches. In their most recent outing against Ansan Greeners, Daegu also demonstrated their attacking quality by scoring three goals. Alongside the regular starters, substitutes such as Park Ki-hyun and Edgar Bruno have also made strong contributions. Overall, Daegu are beginning to look far more balanced at both ends of the pitch.

Riding this momentum, Daegu travel to Yongin FC this round. Yongin are also unbeaten in their last three matches with one win and two draws. The two sides meet on Saturday the 30th at Yongin Mireu Stadium.

Player of the Round

Hwaseong's supersub Sava Petrov

Hwaseong FC's rise shows no signs of slowing down. They have recorded five wins and two draws from their last seven matches, climbing to fourth place in the table. Head coach Cha Du-ri’s tactics and leadership, combined with the squad’s strong winning mentality, have helped maintain their impressive run. Sava Petrov’s recent performances have been central to that surge.

Hwaseong produced a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Chungbuk Cheongju in Round 13. Trailing 2-1 until the 80th minute, Petrov completely changed the game.

Introduced in the 56th minute in place of Kim Byung-oh, Petrov equalised in the 80th minute with a header from a Demethryus cross. Then, just before full time, he struck again with another header from a corner to complete the comeback.

Petrov’s greatest strength has been his remarkable efficiency in front of goal. Despite mostly appearing as a substitute, he has already scored seven goals and currently leads the league scoring charts. Six of those seven goals have directly contributed to victories, underlining his value as a decisive finisher.

Starting with a brace against Gimhae in a 2-0 win, Petrov then scored the winner against Jeonnam in a 1-0 victory and followed that with another winning goal in a 3-2 win over Busan. Against Chungbuk Cheongju, he delivered both the equaliser and the winner in another 3-2 comeback triumph.

With Petrov leading the charge, Hwasong now aim to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches as they host Gyeongnam FC this round. Gyeongnam are also in strong form after overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Suwon FC 3-2 in their previous match, extending their own run to two wins and a draw from the last three games. The in-form sides meet on Sunday the 31st at Hwaseong Sports Complex.

via K League press release

2026 K League 2 Round 14 Fixtures

Saturday 30th May

Busan IPark vs. Paju Frontier - 16:30
Chungnam Asan vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings - 16:30
Yongin FC vs. Daegu FC - 16:30
Gimhae FC 2008 vs. Gimpo FC - 19:00
Suwon FC vs. Seongnam FC - 19:00

Sunday 31st May

Hwaseong FC vs. Gyeongnam FC - 16:30
Jeonnam Dragons vs. Seoul E-Land - 16:30
Ansan Greeners vs. Cheonan City - 19:00

Where to Watch

Watch all matches live and for free on TV.KLeague.com.