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| Players of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors celebrate their record 22-game undefeated streak after beating Jeju United 1-0 in a K-League Classic game at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, North Jeolla Province, Saturday. / Yonhap |
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| Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors coach Choi Kang-hee |
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors wrote K-League history on Saturday to maintain their undefeated campaign, while the classic clash of Suwon Samsung Bluewings and FC Seoul ended in a landslide 5-1 victory for the Bluewings'.
In the seventh round K-League Classic game at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonbuk rallied past Jeju United 1-0 with Leonardo's second-half decider. Jeju fiercely attacked to level the game, but Jeonbuk goalkeeper Kwon Sun-tae denied their attempts, extending his side's undefeated streak.
From September last year, the 2014 K-League champions have won 17 and tied five league games. The previous record was set 17 years ago by Jeonnam Dragons who did not lose for 21 games. Busan Daewoo Royals (now Busan IPark) also made a 21-game undefeated streak in 1991.
"This feat was possible thanks to our fans who have given us ardent support," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee. "Our players must have felt pressure because of the record, but they concentrated on the game. I guess this record will make other teams look after us more fiercely, but we'll try our best to continue the streak."
As Choi said, Jeonbuk players seemed pressured during the game and showed a lagging performance. When Leonardo's goal opened the cagey game, the grim-faced coach, who seldom makes a facial expression even after his side's goal or victory, clenched his fist.
Saturday's win was Jeonbuk's 300th K-League victory in 751 games, the second smallest number of games played, following Suwon which clinched 300 wins in 640 games.
The game also marked Choi's 300th K-League appearance, listing him among the 10 coaches who have done so.
Under Choi's leadership, Jeonbuk have emerged as a strong force in the league, but Choi's men are not as strong as they were in 2011 when Jeonbuk won the 2011 league. This can be attributed to the club's two-track approach to both the domestic league and the Asian Champions League (ACL), which is draining the players physically.
Jeonbuk will face Japan's Kashiwa Reysol on Wednesday in Kashiwa in a Group E match of the ACL. With a win, Jeonbuk can book a spot in the round of 16.
Despite the tight schedule, Jeonbuk players were confident.
"I want the league completely unbeaten," said veteran forward Lee Dong-gook. "Not only me but anyone in my team can score, so we play every game believing that we can win if we don't concede."
Suwon thrashes Seoul in rival clash
In what is dubbed here as a "super match," Suwon thrashed Seoul 5-1, Saturday, with the trio of Lee Sang-ho, Yeom Ki-hun and Jong Tae-se dominating the game.
This is the first time since 2000 that the two team's fierce rivalry ended with a goal difference larger than four goals.
The game was tightly contested in the first half, sharing one goal each, but Suwon was more concentrated, with Yeom and Lee scoring seven minutes into the second half.
Jong rose to net twice in the 22nd and 45th minutes of the second-half, while Seoul's substitute Park Chu-young was ineffective in his side's attempt to narrow the margin.
Jong also made two assists during the game. Lee and Jong each scored twice. Yeom extended his attacking streak into the sixth game, with one goal and two assist against Seoul.
After the past weekend's fixtures, Jeonbuk lead the table with a 6-1-0 record, while Suwon and Ulsan are in pursuit with 4-2-1 and 3-4-0, respectively.
In other games, Gwangju FC and Seongnam FC recorded a goalless tie in Mokpo on Saturday, while Incheon United and Ulsan Hyundai FC shared the points after a 1-1 draw on Sunday in Busan.
In Daejeon, Pohang Steelers beat the hosts 2-0, while Jeonnam also won 2-0 against Busan on Sunday.
