26.21 Incheon Again

State of the League

The regular season is nearing its end. After tonight's game, there are only five rounds and three home matches remaining. Amazingly, I have not missed a single home match.

Seoul hosts a struggling Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels tonight, and I'm quietly hoping to see a victory this evening. Incheon has not won in their last ten matches, losing seven of them. Seoul's last ten matches include two wins and two draws against strong teams. Still, form has meant nothing for the 2026 Amazones.

To be clear, this is the same Incheon Red Angels that played in the championship match for every one of the first fifteen WK League seasons and won eleven titles in a row, the last coming as recently as 2023. Just a few years ago, the idea of Incheon not playing in the final was almost unthinkable. Now, the only reason they are not at the bottom of the league is that Gangjin refuses to relinquish the wooden spoon.

Looking at the rest of the league, Suwon and Hwacheon have 24 points still to play for, but I don't see Suwon dropping enough points for Hwacheon to catch up. Just one more win for Suwon should remove even the mathematical possibility of the third-, fourth-, and fifth-placed teams catching them.

Of the remaining three teams, Gangjin looks stuck at the bottom, while neither Seoul nor Incheon looks capable of fighting for that last playoff position.

Odds are the final will be played between Suwon and Hwacheon, and as far as I know, they will play both matches on consecutive Saturdays. That means I will have two more away trips: one an easy hop to Suwon, and one a long ride up to northern Gangwon-do.

Match Preparations

Before the match, I go to HomePlus to see how this branch is handling the changes. It looks better organised than the Suwon branch, but it is the same basic idea. The upper floor is not accessible, and the merchandise has been consolidated onto one floor.

On the refreshment front, there is quite a bit of fried chicken available, but in the drinks section the selection looks more limited than at Suwon. I've been excited about getting a bottle of my favourite makgeolli for the match. However, there is only a single bottle of a brand I might consider if it were offered free.

At least the beer selection is no longer limited to a single brand of alcohol-free, beer-flavoured soda.

I'm not in the mood for a fuss, so I pick up a beer and a burger before heading to the stadium.

New Faces

The usual suspects are at the stadium, including the small group of women who usually sit behind us. I want to greet them, but I can't bring myself to do it.

Why is this so difficult?

Just to my left are two women I have never seen before. In itself, new people are not strange, but they are interesting. They are dressed well, but it is just not "Korean enough". They also look slightly tanned, something that is uncommon in Korea. They are speaking Korean, though.

Throughout the match, they shyly shout encouragement to the team, sometimes throwing in an English word or two. The words are nothing that most Koreans wouldn't use, but it's the pronunciation that draws my attention.

Not only do they look like they've lived outside Korea for an extended period of time, but they also sound like it.

Of course, I don't go and talk to them. I'm shy, and I don't want to be the weird guy who looks like he is chatting up the "new blood".

Next, I greet Incheon Man and prepare my burger for consumption. Usually I set up my banner first, but I'm not even sure I will do it tonight. I'm still unhappy about the team ignoring supporters in the previous two matches.

But just before kick-off, I give in and hang it, but I refuse to do it with good cheer.

Both of the spectators who had shirts in the railing at previous matches here today. I suspect the man who helped us get team shirts lives in Incheon, because I think the last time he was here was also against Incheon.

Just before kick-off, the team gathers for a team photo. They are joined by who I assume is a former player. The number on her back is 2004, and the name is just that number written out in words.

In the following week, there are no articles mentioning who she is, so I'm still in the dark.

Entertainment on the Pitch

The match is an entertaining back-and-forth, with both teams seeing good chances. However, while there is no shortage of chances, the main battle is to see which side can actually convert them.

Incheon seems unable to hit the target even when they are right in front of the goal. Seoul is able to hit the target, if the target is the goalkeeper. Each Seoul attempt goes straight at wherever the goalkeeper happens to be standing, leading to a lot of excitement that ends with "AAAaaah..."

The only goal of the match comes just after the start of the second half. A Seoul corner is played infield for Min I-ji, better known as Han Chae-rin, to swing across the face of goal towards three waiting Seoul players.

Kim Min-ji manages to get a head on it and steer it into the goal. After a few congratulations, the main celebration seems to centre around Han Chae-rin. I'm confused. Did my eyes deceive me?

The back and forth continues, but Seoul holds on for a 1-0 victory, and with this result I notice a pattern. When the team wins, they are eager to thank the supporters and pose for a victory photo. When they lose, they are likely to just walk off.

If anything, they can walk off after a win because it's easy to support them when things go well. But, if anything, they should thank the supporters when they don't leave halfway through another miserable loss.

This really bothers me.

The Final Matches

With this win, Seoul and Incheon swap places in the league.

Three days from now, Seoul has a Saturday match in Sejong. Unfortunately, I will not be able to watch it, not even on the livestream, because Incheon will be in Seoul.

Yes, on Saturday this same week, FC Seoul will host Incheon United at the main stadium, and Incheon Man and I are both planning on being there. 

26.20 Mount Suwon

A Steep Hill

This will possibly be my last away match of the season, and Seoul has another difficult one tonight.

Today, Seoul makes the short hop over to Suwon to face the team currently running away with the league.

Suwon FC Women have been doing well all season, but since the Champions League final, they have been on a tear. Across all competitions, they have played 16 matches in total, losing just one and drawing two. Going into this match, they are nine points ahead of Hwacheon in second place and 21 points ahead of Gyeongju and Mungyeong in third and fourth.

The Journey to Suwon

The trip to Suwon is not a long one, but it can be annoying.

I use the bus to get to Suwon, which means possibly waiting outside for long stretches. The worst of summer is over, so the heat is no longer a major problem, but the transfer stop is still next to a busy, exhaust-fume-saturated road connecting Anyang to Suwon. And depending on which bus I board there, I might have to stand for a good 30 minutes on a packed bus, swinging back and forth, left and right.

Gogga is joining me again. The main selling point this time is that there are tons of restaurants in the area. We cannot drink beer because we have to go for a medical check-up tomorrow, but she is okay with that. Her choice of dinner today is… SALADY!

It has been a while since we have been there. It is not the most substantial meal, but I will never say no to a good salad.

The Return of an Old Extra Character

After dinner, we have a bit of time, and we decide to visit a perpetual extra character: HomePlus.

As a reminder, the retailer has been through tough times, struggling to fill shelves and pay suppliers. I have not seen the Seoul World Cup Stadium branch since they reopened, but I assume all the branches are operating similarly right now.

The shelves are no longer stocked with just a single type of item, and suppliers seem willing to give them another chance. The alcohol section at this branch, at least, has a small selection of makgeolli and beer instead of just one brand of alcohol-free beer. It is a strange thing to comment on, but it feels reassuring. And maybe I will be able to watch the next home match with some makgeolli again!

Everything feels condensed, though, as the store consolidated limited supplies onto one floor. It is not bad, but now it feels like any other single-floor hypermarket rather than the big E-Mart competitor.

The “Cheese Section” is stocked with soju, and a few of the fridges are being used to display kitchenware. There is clearly still some work to be done here. Still, it is much better than the HomePlus of a few months ago, and despite the odd layout, everything feels more sustainable.

In the food court, most of the restaurants seem to be closed, which is odd considering it is Friday evening. I wonder if they are still in business.

We grab some cold water and a small snack before we make our way towards the stadium.

A Proper Match-Day Experience

Suwon FC Women charges an entry fee.

It is only 5,000 won, and it makes sense because they market themselves as “One Team”, with a professional men’s squad and an effectively professional women’s squad.

With this professionalism, you get a club shop that is open before the game and a refreshment stand inside the stadium that remains open during the match.

We also get what looks like a souvenir ticket and a cooling patch. Both are cheap little additions, but they add value to the ticket price and help make the match feel like an event.

The seating arrangements are also a little different from the opening match I attended here. This time, we enter on the ground floor and are funnelled to either side through the tabled seating section. On the Suwon side, there are at least five times as many tables, and most of the supporters sit there.

On the Seoul side, there are maybe 12 tables, and it is not immediately clear whether we are allowed to sit there. Most people simply walk past them towards the normal seats.

After setting up my banner, upside down by mistake, I head over to the Suwon side to see if I can get some photos of the fans and maybe a signed ball.

The team does not throw balls into the crowd today. Boo! And the fans are slow to get started, leaving me standing around like a lost tourist. They need to take some lessons from their men’s supporters or their neighbours, the Bluewings, who start chanting well before the match begins.

An Unexpected Guest in the Seoul Section

On my way back, I notice someone sitting in the table section on the Seoul side. She looks familiar, maybe a player, but I cannot place her. I later realise that it is number 7, Han Chae-rin. I assume she is injured, but I am not about to walk up to her and ask.

Once we realise that we are allowed to sit at the tables, we move over and make ourselves comfortable a few tables away from her.

The Seoul side is quite empty tonight, so she is the only person of real interest in our immediate vicinity. And sitting near her turns out to be quite amusing.

As an actual squad member, she is much more invested in the action on the field than we are. No one can hear her, but she spends the entire match giving instructions to the players, jumping up whenever something interesting happens and generally behaving like a very well-informed supporter.

Seoul Takes the Lead

On the field, Suwon always looks like the stronger team. Their passing is better, their runs are better, and they have the territorial advantage for most of the match.

But Seoul scores first, just before half-time.

The goalkeeper launches a massive kick across the field. It bounces, and a defender tries to head it out of the box. It does not go far.

Kim Min-ji gets to the ball first and lobs it towards goal, where it hits the crossbar. The ball bounces back into the field, and captain Gang Tae-gyeong is there to smash it into the net.

Against all expectations, Seoul leads. The substitutes, who are busy warming up, celebrate by forming a circle and jumping together, making the whole circle spin as if they are playing Ring-a-rosies.

I manage to get a photo, but I really wish I had my phone ready to capture it on video.

The Main Talking Point

The main talking point of the match actually comes earlier, after Ji So-yeon receives a yellow card.

From where we are sitting, it is not clear what happens. Watching the match online later helped fill in the gaps.

In the broadcast, you can see Ji So-yeon talking to the referee. The referee stops, and as she turns around, she is already reaching into her pocket. At the same time, Ji So-yeon appears to put a finger to her lips, seemingly telling the referee to keep quiet as the yellow card comes out.

Ji So-yeon immediately walks towards her bench, shaking her finger and seemingly indicating that she will not accept the decision.

And from there, things only get more heated.

You can see her talking to the coaches, presumably explaining the situation. The referee follows her and speaks to the coaches as well, while Ji So-yeon appears to become angrier by the second.

Most of the players are staying clear of whatever is happening.

Interestingly, at one point during the argument, Seoul’s Im Seon-ju comes over and tries to calm Ji So-yeon. I suppose they know each other well after playing so many national team matches together. But it does not help.

Eventually Ji So-yeon becomes so angry that, after speaking to the fourth referee, she turns around and throws a bottle of water onto the ground.

The referee immediately pulls out a red card. But three Suwon players step between her and Ji So-yeon, apparently trying to calm the referee down.

I have a feeling the card was never more than a threat, but who knows?

My Rugby Brain

Now, I come from a rugby background, and my immediate feeling is that, no matter what the referee has done, you need to back off. She has made her decision, and she is not going to change it.

Stopping the game for five minutes to scream at the referees is not on. Let it go and make an official complaint after the match.

The next day, though, we learn what had happened. I believe it is the main referee who, while talking to another referee over their communication system, said that Ji So-yeon’s reaction to something on the field was possibly because she was on her period.

Maybe that is funny when you are at home talking to friends who understand your sense of humour. It is definitely unprofessional when you are a referee officiating a match.

After reading this and watching the replay, I definitely have sympathy for the way Ji So-yeon reacted.

I still feel that she should have backed off much earlier, but I also have a feeling that, if it were me, I would have thrown the bottle not on the ground but at the referee.

I do not doubt that Suwon filed an official complaint, but we later learn that Seoul filed one. For what it’s worth, I do not think the referee should be fired, but there should be some sort of disciplinary action.

Suwon Comes Back

Back to the football.

In the second half, Suwon keeps up the pressure, which eventually pays off, and they score two goals before the final whistle.

Honestly, I never thought that a single goal was going to be enough for Seoul to beat a team as strong as Suwon.

Seoul put up a good fight, but Suwon’s quality eventually shows.

The Long Walk Away

After the match, Seoul forms their usual huddle on the pitch while the Suwon players go to thank their supporters.

When the Seoul players finish, though, they grab their gear and walk off in dribs and drabs.

A few players wave to friends who have come to watch, but apart from that, they completely ignore the tiny group of travelling supporters.

And that is where the frustration from the previous match comes back.

I am still kind of pissed off about what happened then. I remember other occasions this season when something similar has happened too. I have spent much of this year travelling to matches, making plans around kick-off times, standing at bus stops, sitting through uncomfortable journeys and finding ways to make an entire day out of following Seoul. These are the things that create memories.

Now, the team does not owe me anything for that, but just the simple act of saying “Thank you for your support today.” means so much to fans.

I committed to supporting Seoul this season, and I intend to see that commitment through. This season has already become a much bigger story than simply whether Seoul wins or loses. It has become a story about following the team around Korea and seeing what happens along the way.

But commitment and support are a strange thing. We spend time and money to make the journeys, and we come back even when the team loses. The only thing that matters is that we enjoy ourselves.

What is harder to deal with is when the team does not seem to care whether or not we are in the stands. That starts eating away at the overall enjoyment.

Maybe I am expecting too much. Or maybe, by the end of the season, I will decide that I have done what I set out to do and choose a new team.

For now, though, I pack away the banner, leave the stadium and start the journey home, already checking when the next match will be.

26.19 That Was Unexpected

Tonight, Seoul face a Gyeongju team with 5 wins and a draw from their last six matches. But as I’ve now learned, form means nothing when Seoul are playing. Still, I expect to see Gyeongju win tonight.

Back Home

Seoul missed a great opportunity to strengthen their league position when they visited an out-of-form Mungyeong. I watched that match online while on holiday, having only returned to Korea yesterday afternoon. During the journey home, I crossed seven time zones and slept very little. I managed to get a full night’s sleep last night, but I’m still tired and jet-lagged, and my concentration isn't what it should be.

Gogga joins me again today. The plan was to get kimbab from inside the main stadium and have a beer outside the GS25 before going to the game, but somehow we arrived later than expected. We are eating at the stadium tonight.

Few Usual Suspects

A few of the usual supporters are here, including a small group of women I’ve seen a few times now. I recognise them because one of them always wears a Manchester City shirt.

There are also shirts hung on the railing again. Initially, I think they’re the same as the ones from the last match, but they’re actually for a different player and from a different supporter. The shirts are for No. 8, Bak Ye-eun. She spent five years playing for Gyeongju before a short stint in the UK with Brighton and Hove Albion, then Hearts of Midlothian. She returned for a year with Incheon before joining Seoul. She has also been a regular in the national team, although you have to wonder if that is still the case now while she’s playing for Seoul.

Speaking of shirts, Incheon Man has news about our replica shirts. Hummel will print them with our chosen names and numbers, and it will cost us only half what you would pay for a shirt from a big team like FC Seoul. He is, of course, at the match tonight. He keeps telling us he’s sick and shouldn’t come, but here he is, again. Legend.

A Pleasant Evening

The temperature is not as stifling as it has been over the last few weeks, and the light breeze blowing through the stadium is delightful. It’s a pleasant evening, and the players dont look as taxed as they’ve been recently.

The match on the field is a fun back and forth, but the Gyeongju attack looks more dangerous. Seoul manages to resist, but I fully expect them to crumble in the final 15 minutes, as is common with struggling teams. Against all expectations, Seoul absorb the Gyeongju attacks and earns a draw. There are a few scary moments, but Gyeongju looked surprisingly tame when it mattered.

Three For One

After the match, the players take off their shoes and sit down in a circle. They eventually get up to thank the supporters, but why on earth they don’t just quickly do it before goofing off is beyond me.

Why does this team seem so generally blasé towards their supporters? As much as I dislike flopping between teams, I can’t help but wonder if I would have been better off supporting Suwon this season. It takes to Suwon as it does to Seoul, and they actually seem to appreciate people turning up every week to watch them. I am seriously considering changing teams next season.

With the post-match meeting complete, they pose for a team photo and a small ceremony for three players: No. 18 Kim Jeong-mi, No. 26 Im Seon-ju and No. 27 Lee Chae-yun. I don’t recall any announcement about the celebration, and I only learned about it when the team posted the photos on Instagram a few days later.

At first, I’m confused about why Kim Jeong-mi, who has been playing for more than 20 years, has only 350 appearances. Then I remember that goalkeepers often spend their first few seasons sitting on the sideline, watching the first-choice keeper do all the work.

Interestingly, all three players joined Seoul from Incheon this season.

Out In The Mountains

The following week, Seoul travelled to Hwacheon, a team arguably even stronger than Gyeongju. Their recent record is similar to Geongju, though.

Hwacheon controlled the game for most of the 90 minutes. But Seoul held on and even managed a few shots on target. The star of the match was definitely goalkeeper Kim Jeong-mi. She was diving and blocking like a boss, generally just being a wall in front of the goal and preventing Hwacheon from getting the victory everyone expected. She definitely deserved her inclusion in the Round 21 Queen of the Week voting.

26.18 Surely this time

Gangjin Come to Seoul

Gangjin Swans arrive in Seoul in poor form. They have picked up just four points from their last ten matches, making this one of Seoul's better chances to collect three points.

That is easier said than done. Seoul are still dealing with a growing injury list, made even worse by one player serving a suspension. Even the reserve goalkeeper remains unavailable, although I still do not know exactly what her injury is. Some players are even playing through injuries that would normally keep them off the field. Number 23, for example, is reported to be carrying some kind of pelvic injury.

The summer heat is not helping either. Every match seems to demand a little more from already exhausted players. We are only just past the halfway point of the season, and I find myself wondering how Seoul will keep putting full teams on the pitch until the final round.

At least it probably will not become as desperate as the old fourth-tier men's side, Seoul Martyrs, who once arrived at a match with only eight players and lost 25–0.

Dinner at Mangwon Market

One of the nice things about the summer schedule is the late kick-off. Instead of rushing straight to the stadium, there is time to enjoy nearby attractions. Today that means Mangwon Market.

Although it is a popular destination, it feels more like a local attraction than a place filled with international tourists. Like many popular traditional markets, food is the main attraction. We wander past stalls selling fried chicken, sausages and all kinds of snacks before settling on a restaurant famous for its wide selection of makgeolli.

It is essentially a bunsik restaurant for adults. The menu includes quick noodle dishes, stuffed peppers and tteokbokki, all served alongside one of Korea's best traditional drinks.

We order shrimp jeon and stuffed chillies, along with the house speciality, a drink they call Cream Makgeolli. It is smooth and easy to drink, making it perfect for someone trying makgeolli for the first time. For me, though, it tastes a little watered down. Premium brands like Haechang are just as creamy while keeping a much richer flavour, although they also come with a much higher price tag.

Shirt Collectors

After dinner we make the short trip to the stadium. Plenty of supporters are already in the stands, and one thing immediately catches my attention. The Gangjin supporters occupy almost as much of the stand as the Seoul supporters.

Part of that is probably because this side of the stadium is where most people enter, and curious spectators normally end up there. Still, there seem to be far more Gangjin fans than I expected. There are almost as many here as I saw when I visited Gangjin itself. Surely they have not travelled all this way together?

The group of young women usually seated near me is missing today, but two new faces quickly grab my attention.

One supporter is sitting on the far side of the stand with two Number 18 shirts hanging over the railing. Another man is sitting much closer to us with an incredible collection of shirts. He has around eight in total, all belonging to the same player, number 18 Kim Yeong-Mi, all shorts from her time at Incheon and the national team, all fully or partially signed. Most interestingly, there is a Seoul City Hall shirt.

I might not be the most outgoing person, but when there is something worth gaining, I have no problem introducing myself. I head over and ask where he managed to buy the Seoul shirt.

He tells me he bought it directly through the club's kit supplier, Hummel.

Our friend from Incheon notices the conversation and joins us. Since he speaks Korean, he is able to ask far more detailed questions than I can. By the end of the conversation, we have learned that there is a genuine chance of ordering our own customised Seoul City Hall shirts before the season finishes.

Even better, Seoul keeps the same shirt design from year to year, so anything we buy now should still match the team's kit next season.

This alone almost makes today's match worthwhile.

A Scrappy Match

The football itself never quite reaches the same standard.

Both teams look evenly matched during the opening half, although Seoul appears slightly stronger. Possession changes hands regularly, but neither side can string together enough accurate passes to build sustained attacks. Every promising move seems to break down because passes are just a little off target.

It feels like this match will be decided by whichever team can put together two or three good passes at the right moment.

Gangjin strikes first. A well-weighted through ball splits the defence before being calmly finished between the goalkeeper and the near post. It is an excellent goal, and I suspect I am not the only Seoul supporter wondering if another frustrating evening is about to unfold.

Fortunately, Seoul responds before the break.

Number two, Bin Hye-Jin, delivers an excellent ball into the penalty area. The scramble that follows is chaotic, but Han Chae-rin emerges out of the mess and finds herself with an empty goal to aim at. She simply taps the ball home to level the score. It is one of several dangerous deliveries from Bin Hye-Jin during the evening.

Seoul Finish Strong

The second half continues much like the first. Both teams work hard, but accurate passing remains elusive. Chances are few and the game drifts towards what looks like a draw.

Then, around the 80th minute, a corner changes everything.

The ball glances off a Seoul player's head before striking the hanging hand of a Gangjin defender. It is an unfortunate incident more than a careless one, but the referee has little choice but to award a penalty.

Seoul converts the spot kick to take the lead.

Deep into stoppage time comes the final moment of the evening. Number 15, Gang Yu-Mi, tries to lob the ball over the goalkeeper from outside the box, only to see her effort bounce against the crossbar. Luckily for Seoul, the rebound falls perfectly for Jo Yae-Son, who calmly finishes into the open net to seal a 3–1 victory. Great work by the two substitutes.

More Than Three Points

The result is exactly what Seoul needs, but the football itself is only average. Both teams struggle to find any rhythm, and neither ever looks particularly convincing.

When I think back on the day, though, the match is not what stands out most.

Instead, I keep thinking about that conversation in the stands and the possibility that, before the season ends, I might finally have my own customised Seoul City Hall shirt.

26.17 Things Were Looking Up

Form Guide

Sejong is back in Seoul, but they are hardly in convincing form. Their last five matches produced three draws and two defeats. One loss came against league challengers Hwacheon, which is understandable, but the other is a disappointing result against an inconsistent Mungyeong. Their only real bright spot is last weekend’s draw against an in-form Gyeongju.

Seoul arrive in much better shape than the league table might suggest. Recent defeats came against runaway leaders Suwon and the same in-form Gyeongju side, but between those matches they managed two valuable victories. Somehow, Seoul are looking stronger than several of the teams around them.

Maybe today will be another step forward.

Dinner Plans

Being a weekday match means the usual after-work scramble for food before heading to the stadium.

Last time I noticed a Japanese ramen restaurant that looked interesting, so tonight I decide to give it a chance. Unfortunately, the nicest thing I can say about it is that they serve food.

The broth is painfully salty, and even if I ignore that, the flavour just isn’t very good. The noodles are clumped together at the bottom of the bowl so badly that my first bite lifts almost the entire serving out at once. Then there is the egg. Instead of the soft, marinated egg you expect with ramen, it is a plain hard-boiled egg, the sort you would normally find in naengmyeon or bibimguksu.

Needless to say, next time I’ll be eating at the kimbap shop next door.

HomePlus Lives… Sort Of

On the way out, I spot Incheon Man buying a muffin at a nearby coffee shop. We exchange a quick greeting, but I don’t want to interrupt his dinner for too long.

My original plan was to head over to HomePlus, but he mentions that he has similar plans, but the branch is not open.

In my previous report on our perpetual extra character, I mentioned that all branches closed during the company’s financial troubles. During the week, however, HomePlus received a lifeline. Just days before the deadline, its main creditor finally agreed to provide emergency funding after months of refusing to help. Suddenly, the same creditor is playing the hero. The funding allowed many stores to reopen and some unpaid wages to be settled.

It has also been reported that HomePlus wants to focus more on its own private-label products, moving toward a business model similar to Trader Joe’s in the United States.

I don’t know enough about Trader Joe’s to judge the comparison, but I actually like the idea. Even before the financial problems, I often felt HomePlus should put more emphasis on its own brands. Plenty of supermarkets have private-label ranges, but none make it the core of the business.

Maybe I’m in the minority, but I actually enjoy having fewer choices. I don’t need ten different brands of the same product.

Familiar Faces

As I approach the stadium, Lone Hero is impossible to miss.

He is already in his usual position up front, proudly wearing his yellow Sejong shirt with his banner hanging nearby. Earlier this week he commented on one of my Instagram posts saying he’ll be at the match, so after scanning my ticket I head over to say hello.

Although my Korean has improved tremendously this year, I still lack the confidence to start conversations in Korean. We exchange a few words before I head towards the Seoul supporters section.

Just before I leave, he surprises me.

“When is the book coming out?” he asks. “I’d want to buy it.”

I don’t think I’ve mentioned it on the blog before, but we’re currently rewriting and compiling these posts into a book. The men’s league adventures from last season will form the first half, while this year’s WK League travels will become the second. Hopefully everything will be translated and ready for printing before the end of the year.

But enough about future projects. Back to today’s adventure.

Becoming a Regular

A healthy crowd is already gathered despite the sweltering heat.

Most people are sitting in their usual places, including the dachshund owner who greets me as I arrive. She doesn’t have her dog with her today, but she does have several friends.

I’ve started noticing just how many people she knows around the club. When a young woman arrives wearing a Team Korea T-shirt with the Olympic rings, she immediately walks over to greet her.

For a brief moment I wonder if she’s an Olympian. Part of me wants to ask, but I’ve always felt uneasy with the idea of interrupting players during their private time.

A few rows behind them sit three young women I’ve seen at several recent matches. They’ve become familiar faces without us ever speaking. Perhaps next week I’ll finally say hello.

Side quest accepted.

The Great Ball Hunt

While chatting with Incheon Man before kick-off, the traditional signed ball launch begins, and chaos immediately follows.

One regular supporter—who also happens to be friends with the dachshund owner—charges around the stand collecting balls at an astonishing pace. Every successful catch is followed by an enthusiastic shout of “Assa!”

He even ends up wrestling for one with another regular who turns every home game into his own personal ball-catching mission. I’m honestly surprised neither of them comes away injured.

When the dust settles, Assa Man has collected three balls. At first it seems excessive, but then he hands them to the friends who came with him today. It turns out he wasn’t collecting souvenirs for himself after all. Fine. I’ll forgive him this time. Wink.

Wait… You Read My Blog?

During the first half, I wander back over to the away supporters, hoping for a better angle to photograph Solo Legend.

As I sit down, a man wearing a team shirt looks at me.

“Are you Otto Silver?”

Excuse me… what?

He tells me he reads the blog.

I spend the next few minutes trying to work out how he even found it, but never really get an answer. We chat about Solo Legend, who he initially assumed is from Sejong. He promises to investigate during half-time and report back later.

When I return after the break, drop into a seat in front of a spectator wearing a yellow shirt. As I get the camera ready, I jokingly say, “So noisy!” The man in a yellow shirt agrees.

After taking a photo, I look around to hear what was found out about Lone Hero, and for a moment I’m completely confused because the man isn’t wearing glasses like the other supporter.

Instead, we end up chatting about football anyway. He notices my FC Seoul shirt, tells me he supports Gangwon FC, and we spend a few minutes talking about their excellent season.

Five different conversations in one evening. Two of them with strangers. What is happening?

A Tale of Two Halves

Seoul actually begin the match well.

They move the ball confidently, link together some promising passing sequences and even create a handful of dangerous attacks. Whether it’s confidence from last week’s performance against Incheon or simply the belief that Sejong’s recent goal drought will continue, Seoul look comfortable during the opening stages.

Gradually, though, the momentum shifts. As half-time approaches, Sejong grow stronger.

Right at the end of the first half, Sejong win a corner. The delivery is perfect, and a Sejong player meets it with a header that flies into the top corner beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Statistically, corners are not the most efficient route to goal. Against Seoul, however, they are starting to feel like the only reasonable route.

The second half belongs almost entirely to Sejong. The visitors dominate possession, string together the better passing moves and spend most of the half on the Seoul side.

Sejong dominate possession, string together the better passing moves and spend most of the half camped inside Seoul’s defensive third.

Their second goal arrives shortly before the 75th minute. Once again, it begins with a corner. This time the initial delivery doesn’t go straight in, but Seoul fail to clear, and the loose ball is bundled home in the chaos.

If that isn’t painful enough, Sejong add a third well into stoppage time. Let’s just say the defending left plenty to wonder about.

Final Thoughts

It’s a disappointing evening for Seoul.

I’ll always have a soft spot for Gangjin, but perhaps Seoul can bounce back next week by taking points off them instead.

Before the match, the Seoul coach spoke openly about the team’s recent struggles. She pointed to injuries and the lack of meaningful training during the week because of the extreme weather. To her credit, she also admitted every team was dealing with similar conditions and suggested the increasingly congested fixture list may be the main culprit.

Whatever the cause, it does not look like Seoul's struggles will end any time soon, but they’ll need to regroup quickly if they want to get away from the wrong end of the table.

26.16 Another Trip to Incheon

Today will likely be the last away trip to Incheon for the current season, as Seoul faces the Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels. I’m looking forward to it because it’s a Saturday match, but I am also dreading the journey.

The Red Angels play at Incheon Namdong Rugby Stadium, and no matter how carefully I plan these trips, something usually goes wrong. Still, Saturday gives us plenty of time to work with, so we leave early, figuring four hours is more than enough. We planned to have dinner near Ansan Station before heading to the stadium.

Lunch in Wongok-dong

Many visitors know Itaewon as Seoul’s international neighbourhood, but its reputation is a little outdated. It is still international, but years of gentrification have transformed it from the gritty district that once catered mainly to English-speaking and African expatriates into a much trendier area largely filled with Korean visitors. Redevelopment in nearby residential neighbourhoods also pushed the foreign community further away into the capital.

One expatriate hangout that has hardly changed is Wongok-dong, near Ansan Station. For years it has been home to communities from across Asia, making it one of the best places in Korea to find authentic Asian food. Curiously, though, Filipino restaurants are still surprisingly difficult to find, even here.

Dongdaemun in Seoul is better known for its Central Asian and Russian restaurants, but Wongok-dong has its own thriving community. That is why we make our way to an Uzbek restaurant called Samarkand. Why does it seem like every Uzbek restaurant is called Samarkand anyway?

Their menu perfectly reflects Uzbekistan’s location at the crossroads of Asia. Rich, fatty meats, oily rice and dense breads provide the kind of hearty food needed to endure long, harsh seasons. Alongside them are dumplings that would not look out of place in East Asia, spices that hint at South Asia, and soups that would feel perfectly at home in Russia. The food isn’t particularly cheap, but the portions are enormous. Depending on your appetite, two people could easily share a single meal.

After lunch we browse the small shop attached to the restaurant. I pick up a can of something called Ayran, a fermented milk drink, planning to save it for the match later.

The Oido Curse

Back at Ansan Station, we make the short journey to Oido Station, the station that is responsible for so much past misery. You may recall that on my most recent visit I managed to catch the wrong bus and travel in the complete opposite direction from where I needed to go.

Today isn’t much kinder. We compare every possible route to the stadium, trying to work out which one will get us there the quickest. Amazingly, every combination of buses and trains takes more than an hour, even though the stadium is only about 8.5 kilometres away.

To put that into perspective, I could comfortably cycle the distance in less than thirty minutes.

The match kicks off in less than an hour. I do not want to deal with this stress again, so I suggest a taxi instead. It’s expensive, but some things are worth paying for, and solving another Oido Station disaster is definitely one of them.

A Better Matchday Atmosphere

The stadium feels far more alive than it did on my previous visit, a cold weekday evening. A match on a warm Saturday evening makes a huge difference.

Near the entrance, a small football game offers supporters the chance to win prizes by kicking a ball at targets. We’re the only people nearby, but the two young men running the stand make no attempt to wave us over. Even the two cheerleaders standing nearby seem perfectly content chatting with each other while holding signed footballs, ignoring our arrival. I don’t expect a parade, but we are the only spectators within sight. Even a wave would make their presence seem reasonable.

The volunteers checking tickets are much more welcoming. They immediately remind us to get a QR code if we do not have one yet, before offering noisemakers, folding fans, and small packs of drip coffee. They’re only small gifts, but they make it feel as though the club is making an effort to look after its supporters. We flash our season tickets, collect our freebies and head inside.

We make our way to the away section where Incheon Man is already watching the players warm up. Unlike us, who have to complete what feels like a main quest just to reach the stadium, he lives nearby. In fact, he tells us his high school was right next door. I can’t help feeling a little envious. Imagine having your team practically on your doorstep. Even FC Anyang takes me around forty-five minutes to reach by bike or bus.

We also bump into our acquaintance from HL Anyang. I’d completely forgotten that he supports the Red Angels. He tells us he normally leads the drumming on the Incheon side, but he injured his wrist, so someone else is taking over today.

He confidently tells us Seoul should win because Incheon aren’t playing well at the moment. The funny thing is, I think exactly the opposite.

I’m expecting Incheon to win because Seoul haven’t exactly been in great form either. It’s not often you find two opposing supporters trying to convince each other that their own team is going to lose.

Another Signed Ball

Before kick-off, I notice something interesting. Quite a few supporters are already walking around with signed footballs. For some reason, I suddenly decide I want one as well.

Once the players come onto the pitch, I wander over to the Incheon supporters’ section to try my luck. Thankfully, the atmosphere is a little calmer than it usually is at the Seoul end. There aren’t men trying to grab every ball that’s thrown into the crowd week after week. Just what do they do with all those balls?

Then number 18, Bak Mi-Deum, catches my eye. She gestures towards me, silently asking whether I’d like a ball. I nod, and a second later it’s flying through the air towards me. I make the catch and thank her before heading back to our seats.

I now have a “collection” of two signed balls, and I’m wondering whether I should try to collect one from every WK League club this season. Suwon and Gyeongju sell theirs online, but for the remaining clubs I’ll probably have to rely on Instagram messages. Judging by my previous attempts, that may prove to be the hardest challenge this season.

A Much-Needed Victory

The match begins at a good pace, and immediately it becomes clear that these two sides are evenly matched.

Seoul move the ball around with far more confidence than they have in recent weeks. They even manage to put together some impressive passing sequences. I’m still not entirely convinced that Seoul are suddenly playing brilliant football, though. Part of me thinks Incheon are allowing them more time on the ball.

When Seoul play against a side like Suwon, every touch is immediately pressured. A defender appears almost the instant a player receives the ball. Incheon, by comparison, seem happy to sit off and allow Seoul time to build attacks. It probably isn’t one thing or the other. The reality is likely somewhere in the middle.

As the game settles down, I finally open the Ayran I bought earlier. It does not taste as I would have expected. It’s surprisingly salty and reminds me of drinking liquid feta cheese.

Gogga is sticking with a beer, and we share the biltong I made yesterday. For anyone unfamiliar with it, biltong is South African-style dried beef. Unlike beef jerky, which is dried and cooked using gentle heat, biltong is air-dried and effectively still raw. The seasoning is different too, with coriander forming the backbone of almost every recipe. In my admittedly biased opinion, biltong is the king of all dried meats.

The football and snacks aren’t the only things of interest. To our left sits one of the doggo families. Seoul’s number 2 Bin Hyeon-Jin is suspended after being sent off last week, so instead of playing she spends the afternoon watching from the stand with her family. She only heads down to the pitch during the warm-up, at half-time and after the final whistle.

The supporters to our right also appear to be relatives of one of the players, and I suspect the group a few rows in front of us are as well. It is slightly sad that more than half of the away support is made up of family members.

I also make good on my intention to meet more of the other supporters. I go over and ask the doggo family whether I can take a photo of their fluff ball. It is sporting a fresh haircut, and it’s a good one. No bright colours. No elaborate bows. No ridiculous styling. Just a short, practical trim exactly as a dog should have.

We don’t really chat beyond asking for the photo, but at least we’ve now interacted. Maybe next time I can say hello properly instead of just recognising them from across the stand.

The football also gives me some of my favourite photographs of the season.

One sequence captures the goalkeeper diving full stretch in an unsuccessful attempt to save Seoul’s first-half penalty. The handball decision is obvious. It’s unfortunate for the defender, but there’s no real argument. The shot is clearly heading towards goal, and the player herself doesn’t even try to protest.

A little later I manage to photograph another memorable moment.

The Incheon manager loses his temper after believing his side should have been awarded a corner. Members of his coaching staff actually have to hold him back as he argues with the referee. Somehow the incident only results in a yellow card.

Even better, another photo catches the referee holding up the yellow card while the coach is being restrained. That’s definitely a keeper.

Not long after the manager’s outburst, Seoul produce the moment that settles the match. Kim Min-Ji receives the ball inside the penalty area with plenty of room to work. She shrugs off a defender before calmly placing her shot beyond the goalkeeper to make it 2–0.

The goal celebration is almost as entertaining as the finish. She and Han Jae-Rin launch into what is clearly a rehearsed handshake routine, only for at least one of them to forget the sequence halfway through. The whole thing falls apart, but somehow that only makes it funnier.

The two of them seem to get on really well, and we’ve started jokingly calling Han Jae-Rin “Mi Ni-Ji.”

Han Jae-Rin is number seven. Two sevens make fourteen. Kim Min-Ji wears number fourteen. So naturally Han Jae-Rin is half a Min-Ji, or Kim Min-Ji is double Han Jae-Rin. It’s complete nonsense, of course, but it still makes us laugh.

Watching the replay of the goal afterwards only strengthens my feeling that Incheon give Seoul more freedom than most teams do. The pass to Min-Ji is allowed to reach its target far too easily, and after she receives the ball, only one defender seriously tries to stop her. The other two never really close the space or get between the ball and the goal.

After the final whistle, the mood is completely different from the last time we watched Seoul play. The players gather briefly for a team talk before drifting off to spend time with family and supporters.

Kim Min-Ji calls over the dachshund that usually wears a Seoul shirt before posing for photos with the dog and Han Jae-Rin. Other players wander across to chat with family members in the stands, and everyone seems relaxed and happy.

It’s amazing how different the team looks after a win compared to after a defeat.

This victory pulls Seoul right back into the mid-table battle. They are not far from that elusive playoff position, and their next few league matches are all against similarly inconsistent teams.

Who knows? Maybe this time next month we’ll see Seoul sitting in third place and trying to hold on to a playoff spot.

The SD Card Strikes Again

On the journey home, I start looking through the photos on my camera. Or at least I try to. I remember I never put the SD card back into the camera. Again.

The worst part is that I’d actually intended to do it the day before. Instead, I put the card down “just for a moment,” moved a few things around on my desk, and it promptly disappeared from sight.

Out of sight, out of mind.

I know exactly how to stop this from happening. I also know I’ll probably forget again. It’s unbelievably frustrating.

Still, all isn’t lost. At least I managed to capture a few moments of the day on my phone, even if my best camera never took a single photo.

---

Round 16 Results

Incheon Hyunsai Steel Red Angels 0-2 Seoul City Hall Amazones
Suwon FC Women 0-0 Hwacheon KSPO
Gyeongju KHNP 0-0 Sejong Sportstoto
Mungyeong Sangmu 0-1 Gangjin Swans

League Standings

Team	Played	Points
1. Suwon	16	37
2. Hwacheon	14	29
3. Mungyeong	16	23
4. Gyeongju	16	21
5. Incheon	15	21
6. Sejong	16	18
7. Seoul	15	18
8. Gangjin	16	11

26.15. So Much Suwon

Part 1

The rescheduled Round 8 match snuck up on me because I forgot to write the new date in my diary. It was postponed due to Suwon's involvement in the AFC Women's Champions League, and that is probably the reason Seoul was able to get their own match rescheduled in the previous round.

Since losing in the AFC semi-finals, Suwon have been beating up on WK League teams. I don't expect Seoul to have much of a chance tonight.

Despite the unexpected schedule change, Gogga joins me. I'm always happy when she comes along because we both get to relax outside the house. Gogga brings the beer; I arrange the food. United Man also made it tonight, and he brought snacks to thank us for sharing ours at the previous match. We are clearly well supplied and don't need to make a HomePlus run this evening.

This season, HomePlus has become a character in its own right in my match reports. Unfortunately, its fortunes have not improved. News reports say that the Seoul Bankruptcy Court has officially terminated HomePlus' corporate rehabilitation process. The company now has two weeks to appeal the decision and somehow come up with KRW 200 billion (about USD 130 million) in emergency operating funds. Around 100,000 workers are anxiously waiting to hear what happens next. It is not something you wish on anyone, especially with the difficult economic situation so many people around the world are facing.

Back to the stadium, another Seoul City Hall youth team is in the stands tonight. They are definitely older than the previous group, and I assume they are high school students.

That makes me wonder whether the club also has an elementary school team. The internet comes to the rescue, and indeed, there is an elementary school team. All three teams are based in northeast Seoul. Seoul Wuidong Elementary School is in Gangbuk-gu, right next to Nowon-gu. Insub Middle School and Dongsan Information Industry High School are located in Nowon-gu.

Seoul City Hall is the only club with such a complete development pathway. That is largely thanks to the city's size and population density. Most other WK League clubs have to rely on short-term partnerships with different schools. However, there is a push to make the WK League fully professional, and professionalism usually comes with stricter youth development requirements.

I also learned that Dongsan Information Industry High School is one of the traditional powerhouses of girls' football in Korea. Even Suwon captain and Korean legend Jo So-Yeon is a former student.

Like their younger counterparts, tonight's youth team seems to come with activation buttons. The moment someone starts a chant or cheer, they immediately join in without any hesitation. And even more than their younger counterparts, they watch the match closely. Unlike most spectators who blame the ref for everything, you can often hear them say things like "I guess the ref had a better view."

On the field, Ji So-Yeon is expected to retire at the end of the season, but judging by the way she has been playing over the last few weeks, she may end up changing her mind. She dominates the first half and is directly responsible for Suwon's opening goal.

She collects the ball near the halfway line, shrugs off three Seoul players, and drives towards goal. Looking up, she spots a teammate making a run into the penalty area and threads a perfectly weighted pass through the defence. The striker reaches it first and shoots. The goalkeeper gets a hand to the ball, but not enough to keep it out. Despite the light deflection the rolls over the line by the slimmest of margins.

Seoul seem overly defensive tonight, lining up with a back four that quickly turns into a back five whenever Suwon attack.

During the half-time break, I spot the former national team coach and go over to say hello. He is always friendly and happy to chat, but I don't want to take up too much of his time. Other people want to speak to him as well, and he probably wants to enjoy the football, so I leave after a bit of small talk.

As I return to my seat, I notice one of the Suwon coaches walking towards the dressing room. Koreans are not exactly famous for luxurious beards. Most men seem to have about fifteen facial hairs in total, and many probably don't know which side of a razor is the sharp one. I exaggerate, of course, but a thick beard like that coach's is genuinely rare here. I have something that vaguely resembles a beard, but it is nowhere near thick enough to qualify as a good one. I have to admit I feel a little envious.

I also notice some interesting weather conditions. It is humid this evening, but thankfully not too hot. The weather creates a light mist that hangs over the pitch at the start of the second half. It is with that cloud still floating over the field that Suwon score their second goal.

A corner is curled into the penalty area, and the goalkeeper catches it cleanly. Unfortunately, she catches it while moving backwards and carries the ball over the goal line. She quickly pushes it back out, but it is too late. The assistant referee has a clear view and immediately signals that the whole ball crossed the line.

What follows are some animated protests about pushing, although nobody appears to have touched the goalkeeper, leaving everyone around us thoroughly confused. The complaints become so heated that the Seoul bench receives its second yellow card of the evening. After watching the replay on my phone, I can only assume they are arguing that one of their defenders was pushed and therefore unable to challenge for the header. Honestly, I don't think she would have reached the ball either way.

The rest of the second half follows much the same pattern. Suwon string together accurate passes with confidence, while Seoul work incredibly hard but achieve very little. Whenever Suwon have possession, they almost always find runners with well-weighted, accurate passes. Seoul, on the other hand, often seem to pass simply for the sake of passing. More often than not, the ball is played to teammates already surrounded by Suwon defenders or into empty space where a Suwon player arrives first.

Sometime during the second half, Suwon add a third goal, but for me the bigger story is that Seoul are finally able to use a full set of substitutes again. It has been quite a while since they have had enough healthy players to make tactical changes late in a match. The fresh legs make little difference, though, and the game finishes with Seoul unable to score.

As we leave the stadium, we bump into an old acquaintance. He tells me, "I come to one or two matches every season. Last year Seoul were decent, but this year they're dog s*** again."

It may be a little harsh, but it is not far from the truth. Thankfully, my main reason for supporting this team has always been their fighting spirit rather than their winning record.

Part 2

Suwon had a midweek match against fellow league challengers Hwacheon. That was good news for Seoul because hopefully it took a bit out of the legs of the Suwon players. Even so, I still do not have high expectations for tonight.

Before the match, I head into the main stadium to find something to eat. That is where our extra character, HomePlus, is located. The deadline for their appeal is early next week, and it seems they have accepted the inevitable. Everything in the store is discounted by as much as 50%. Their already inexpensive house brand is now even cheaper, and news reports say people are arriving with shopping baskets and stripping entire shelves of single products like avocado oil.

It is going to be a stressful time for the employees, many of whom may soon be out of work. There is nothing I can do to change their fortunes, and all I can do is carry on with my own life.

At the stadium, a few fans have already arrived by the time I get there. Among them are several Suwon supporters. They are not the singing supporters, but the quieter type, much like myself. One woman is wearing Suwon's AFC Women's Champions League shirt. She looks as though she might be Brazilian, and I cannot help but wonder whether the shirt was a gift from Suwon's Brazilian player. It's wild speculation, though, because I'm afraid of offending her by asking, "Hey! You look Brazilian. Are you friends with Milena (Barreto de Oliveira)?"

Another supporter is wearing an away shirt covered in player signatures. I really envy Suwon fans. They can actually buy merchandise, and their players seem more than happy to interact with supporters. It's something I desperately wish Seoul had. Having said that, I am sure Seoul's players would also happily sign an autograph book, but a signed shirt is something special.

Soon enough, it's time for the players to line up for the usual pre-match handshakes, and something immediately catches my eye. Kim Min-Ji is wearing mostly red. It is essentially the normal team kit with the colours reversed, and there is no goalkeeper in yellow in the line-up.

Wait... Kim Min-Ji? The team's star midfielder is playing in goal? Is she even trained for this? This is going to be an interesting match.

Suwon is not without their visual interest either. In fact, they are visually one of the most interesting teams in the WK League. Last season, their Milena wore the normal short, fairly tight shorts that are common in the European and American leagues. It even caused a small controversy when one YouTuber blurred her shorts whenever she appeared in his videos.

There was nothing wrong with her shorts, other than that it was different from what almost every other player wore. In East Asia, at least, the fashion is to basically wear the same kit as the men. However, this season Suwon seems to be bucking this trend. While Milena's shorts are slightly longer and looser, other players have gone in the opposite direction, with shorts coming in various lengths and tightnesses.

Suwon's players are distinctive in other ways too. Both wingers are noticeably slender compared to most players in the league, yet neither backs away from a physical challenge. The left winger is also quite tall, and with her pace she becomes a dangerous target whenever Ji So-Yeon threads a pass into the penalty area.

Forward, Haruhi, dyes her hair a dark brown, and together with her build she constantly tricks my brain into thinking she is European. Even the way she runs feels different from what I have become used to seeing in East Asian football.

Ji So-Yeon is easy to recognise as well thanks to her broad headband. Little visual quirks like these make players easy to follow without even looking at their shirt numbers. That is not always the case, especially when watching matches on television.

For the opening twenty minutes, Suwon do not look nearly as dominant as they did last week. Seoul even give the impression that they might be able to fight for a point.

Then disaster strikes.

Seoul's defender, Bin Hyun-Ji, goes in for a tackle and catches the Suwon player on the knee. The injured player immediately cries out in pain. The referee first produces a yellow card, but while the medical staff are treating the player, the officials confer and upgrade it to a straight red.

Naturally, this leads to an animated confrontation between the Seoul coach and the referee. She is shouting loudly enough that I expect a booking at any moment, yet somehow she escapes without even a yellow card.

Meanwhile, I am sitting in the stands half-heartedly shouting, "My phone has VAR!" at the officials. I doubt they even hear me. The decision stands, and we all know Seoul's uphill battle has just become a mountain.

Despite being down to ten players, Seoul defend surprisingly well. About fifteen minutes later, however, Suwon score with a fairly soft finish that slips past the stand-in goalkeeper.

It is easy to say she should have done better, but how much can you expect from someone who is not even a recognised goalkeeper?

At some point during the first half, a mysterious voice begins shouting from the woods beside the stadium. All I can make out is a figure wearing what looks like a white plastic raincoat, half hidden among the trees. He looks like he has wandered straight out of a horror film.

His shouting is regularly interrupted by two men sitting in the front row watching baseball on a phone with the volume turned all the way up. Why come to a football match if you would rather watch baseball? Thankfully, they disappear during the half-time break.

The first half ends with Seoul trailing only 1-0.

The stands are fairly quiet during the break. The former national team coach is here again, so I walk over to say hello. We chat briefly about the red card and how it may have spoiled the match, but I also say I do not think it will affect the outcome of the match. He agrees and says this may be the weakest Seoul team he has ever seen. In his opinion, their biggest problem is the lack of dangerous strikers.

He is the expert, not me, so from now on I suppose my opinion is that Seoul need to strengthen their attack.

As the players return for the second half, the player who was sent off walks into the stands wearing her training kit and sits with who I assume is her family. Another player, probably injured, joins her.

I once saw two injured Incheon players sitting in the stands during a match. A group of young girls asked for autographs, and both players happily signed for them. I suspect most footballers are like that.

Which gives me an idea. I will try to make friends with the dog people, because they know the players well. Maybe they can help me get my banner signed by the team. For this, I will need much more than social baby steps.

During the second half, Suwon's control steadily grows, although Seoul continue to defend far better than I expected. They even manage a few promising attacks of their own.

The mysterious voice is still echoing from the woods, constantly reminding the Seoul players to concentrate. I still cannot understand why the man is standing out there when there are plenty of empty seats inside the stadium. At least his shouting is relevant to the football, unlike the unwanted live baseball commentary from earlier.

Seoul hold out until the 85th minute before the pressure finally tells. They concede two quick goals in succession, and what had looked like a respectable defeat quickly becomes another 3-0 loss.

It is not a goalkeeping performance anyone will remember, and the worrying news is that Seoul's first-choice goalkeeper is expected to miss another three weeks. For Kim Min-Ji's sake, I hope the second-choice keeper is fit by the next match. It is unfair to expect a midfielder to regularly perform one of the most specialised jobs on the pitch.

The next match is away to Incheon on Saturday. I am curious to see who turns up for that one, although I am fairly certain at least one of the dog owners will be there. "Greet them and speak a few words" is now on my TODO list.

---

Round 8 Results

Seoul City Hall Amazones 0-3 Suwon FC Women

Round 9 Results

Gangjin Swans 1-2 Mungyeong Sangmu
Hwacheon KSPO 1-2 Suwon FC Women

Round 15 Results

Seoul City Hall Amazones 0-3 Suwon FC Women
Sejong Sportstoto 0-1 Mungyeong Sangmu
Hwacheon KSPO 5-1 Gangjin Swans
Gyeongju KHNP 2-1 Incheon Hyunsai Steel Red Angels

League Standings

Team	Played	Points
1. Suwon	15	36
2. Hwacheon	13	28
3. Mungyeong	15	23
4. Incheon	14	21
5. Gyeongju	15	20
6. Sejong	15	17
7. Seoul	14	15
8. Gangjin	15	8