Soccer fans, who had been cowed for several years due to the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19), showed off their enthusiasm as more than 100,000 people visited the stadium on the weekend alone with the opening of the 2023 K-League. The performances of “stars” such as Cho Kyu-seong (Jeonbuk Hyundai), Hwang Eui-jo (FC Seoul), and Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan Hyundai), who led the advance to the round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, became a boon.
According to the Korea Professional Football Federation on the 26th, the opening round of the Hana 1 Q K League 1 2023, which was held for two days from the 25th to the 26th, had 101,632 players, the highest ever since the introduction of the promotion and relegation system in 2013.
The number of 101,632 is 3,279 more than the 98,353 in the 2017 season, which recorded the largest number of spectators for the opening round of the K League 1. Starting from the 2018 season, only paid spectators are counted as official spectators.
The official opening game, Ulsan and Jeonbuk’s ‘Hyundai Family Derby’, drew attention over transfer student Amano Jun (Jeonbuk), and the heat was heating up from the opening day. 28,039 fans gathered at Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium, the largest number of spectators in a K-League game since Corona 19.
In particular, soccer fans visited the site to see Cho Kyu-seong, who emerged as the best star of the World Cup in Qatar, proving his hot popularity.
On the same day, 22,204 people visited the ‘Gyeongin Derby’ between Seoul and Incheon United at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Fans and many reporters flocked to the Seoul World Cup Stadium to see Seoul striker Hwang Eui-jo, who returned to the K-League after six years.
Although Hwang Eui-jo did not record an attack point, he showed active activity and sharp shooting and made it clear to the fans.
Hwang Eui-jo, who received a lot of support from the home fans, said, “I am very grateful that so many fans came to visit me.” I will repay you.” He smiled.
In addition, 10,348 people gathered for the match between Suwon Samsung and Gwangju FC held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th, and many fans also visited the site on the second day of the game on the 26th.
8,362 people visited the Jeju World Cup Stadium where Jeju United and Suwon FC met, and the match between Pohang Steelers and Daegu FC at Pohang Steel Yard recorded 14,089 people.
18,590 people visited the match between Daejeon Hana Citizen and Gangwon FC, the last game of the opening round, and the total number of people in the opening round was 101,632. 토토사이트
In particular, at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium, which is called the ‘soccer city’, crowds gathered to see the K-League 1 promotion after 8 years since 2015 attracted attention.
Daejeon presented a valuable gift to the home fans by defeating Gangwon, who reached the top division last year, 2-0 with a hot performance unlike a promoted team.
“Captain” Joo Se-jong of Daejeon also said, “There are not many players who can play in front of so many fans. I am very grateful.”
As the long Corona 19 crisis comes to an end, spring winds are blowing in the K-League.