FC Seoul achieved its first victory at home against Anyang with the fans.
FC Seoul won 2-1 in the match against FC Anyang in the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 Round 2 held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 22nd.
With this victory, Seoul reported its first win of the season. Captain Lingard scored the opening goal, and Lucas fired in the decisive goal.
The match between Seoul and Anyang attracted attention over the issue of 'relocation'. Anyang was newly founded as a civic club in 2013, nine years after Anyang LG (the predecessor of Seoul) relocated to Seoul in 2004.
Introduction
Seoul lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jo Young-wook played as the lone striker, while Son Seung-beom, Lingard, and Jung Seung-won were positioned in the second line. Lee Seung-mo and Ki Sung-yong operated as defensive midfielders, coordinating the game, and the four-back defense consisted of Kim Jin-Soo, Kim Joo-sung, Yazan, and Choi Jun.
Anyang faced Seoul in a 4-4-2 formation. Motta and Mateus formed the two-striker front, while Kang Ji-hoon, Lee Young-jik, Kim Jung-hyun, and Chae Hyun-woo were stationed in the midfield. The four-back defense included Kim Dong-jin, Thomas, Lee Chang-yong, and Lee Tae-hee.
Seoul's head coach Kim Gi-dong noted, ''The match against Anyang was like any other game,'' while Anyang's head coach Yoo Byeong-hoon remarked, ''It seems like Seoul is discriminating. They didn’t properly inform us of the height of the bus,'' expressing determination for victory.
Although the comments from both teams' coaches were contrasting, the players displayed strong pressure from the beginning of the match, showing movements for the opening goal.
Development
Jung Seung-won, who was positioned in midfield, moved up to the second line, and Seoul launched a sharp attack in the 28th minute of the first half, but it was unproductive. On the other hand, Anyang looked for opportunities with a counterattack. Seoul immediately conducted a substitution, bringing in foreign player Lucas in place of U-22 resource Son Seung-beom to bolster the attack. Both teams were active in trying to steal the ball in the midfield. In the 32nd minute of the first half, Mateus’s sharp volley shot went straight to the opposing goalkeeper. Unlike in their match against Ulsan, Anyang engaged in a direct confrontation with Seoul instead of retreating. They kept up strong pressure, working hard to improve the atmosphere.
In the 36th minute of the first half, Lingard attempted a right-footed shot after receiving a pass from Jo Young-wook. It missed the goal but was a threatening moment.
Turn
Seoul scored the opening goal right at the start of the second half. Captain Lingard was the one who scored. As the referee signaled the start of the second half, Seoul launched an attack, and Liu Seung-won connected with a ball that Lingard converted into a right-footed shot from the top of the arc, giving Seoul a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the half. After scoring, Lingard performed the 'ice' celebration from 'Squid Game 2'. Perhaps it signified that he had perfectly frozen the Anyang defense.
Anyang brought in Yago to boost their attack right after the second half began. Although they conceded the first goal, they fought back fiercely.
Seoul took control of the game. Lingard was the centerpiece. Rising in momentum after scoring the opening goal, he actively attempted more shots for additional scores. Seoul, attacking with Lingard at the center, applied increased pressure on Anyang. Anyang, becoming desperate, saw an increase in fouls and yellow cards. Seoul substituted Moon Seon-min for Jo Young-wook in the 20th minute of the second half.
Conclusion
Anyang also played a new card. They brought in Eduardo and Choi Seong-beom in the 24th minute of the second half, enhancing their forward speed in an attempt to score. However, Lingard of Seoul kept moving vigorously, tormenting the Anyang defense. Additionally, Seoul established a stable defense, working hard to not give any opportunities to the opponent.
Seoul scored an additional goal. Captain Lingard initiated the play. Lingard connected with a ball in the center of the arc that Ajan dropped, allowing Lucas to score with a deft right-footed shot, extending Seoul's lead to 2-0 in the 33rd minute of the second half.
Anyang was unable to create threatening scenes like in their opener against Ulsan. Their attack struggled to flow, and the pressure was high. Six minutes of additional time were given in the second half. Anyang did not miss the opportunity from a mistake in Seoul's defense during extra time, with Choi Seong-beom scoring to reduce the gap to 1-2. However, the eventual winner was Seoul.
[Photo] Provided by the league.
[OSEN=Seoul World Cup Stadium, reporter Woo Chung-won]