Defending K-League champions Jeonbuk Hyundai are set to host the league’s opener against FA Cup champions Suwon Bluewings today.
The K-League will become one of the few football leagues currently playing and has attracted international attention ahead of today’s curtain-raiser.
Jeonbuk have won each of the last three K-League titles, clinching the last one from Ulsan on goal difference on the final day of the 2019 season. They take on Suwon Bluewings in their opening match, who won the FA Cup last season.
The hosts remain among the favorites to win the competition again this season, while Suwon have struggled of late in the league, finishing 8th in 2019. They also lost their last two competitive games, both in the AFC Champions League, as they were beaten 1-0 by Vissel Kobe on February 19th and 2-1 by Johor Darul Ta’zim on March 3rd.
Jeonbuk’s continental campaign has been similarly disappointing, with a 2-1 home loss to Yokohama F. Marinos and a 2-2 draw against Sydney being the only competitive games the side has played this year.
The K-League experience will be very informative for leagues across the world looking to restart and could indicate some of the challenges that will have to be faced. In exchange, the league will be back in the spotlight and get a chance to display its quality to the rest of the world.
