Incheon United did not lose its numerical advantage. They held firm, shook them, and finally produced a decisive blow. It was the long-awaited first win of the season.
Incheon beat FC Anyang 1-0 in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 round 5 at Anyang Sports Complex on the 22nd. Incheon, which recorded its first win in five matches, rose to ninth with 1 win, 1 draw and 3 losses (4 points). Anyang fell into a two-game losing streak and remained seventh (5 points).
The early flow of the game did not favor Incheon. In the second minute of the first half, it seemed Han Garam had scored from a corner kick, but a VAR review ruled offside and they breathed a sigh of relief. Afterwards they were shaken by consecutive long-range shots from Mateus and Ailton, and the start remained difficult.
The balance of the game was broken late in the first half. In the 40th minute, Oh Ho-seong, who received a pass from Mu Go-sa, broke into the space behind the defense, and Lee Chang-yong committed a foul trying to stop him. The referee, after VAR, judged it to be a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity and issued a red card. It was the moment Incheon secured a numerical advantage.
Momentum shifted quickly. As Anyang dropped its line and adjusted its pressing intensity, Incheon's build-up came alive. Incheon threw in Lee Chung-yong and Jerso at halftime as a tactical gamble. The movements of the two players alternating between the flanks and half spaces began to unsettle Anyang's defense.
Eventually the balance collapsed. In the 22nd minute of the second half, a scramble followed from a cross from the left, and Mu Go-sa did not miss the loose ball. He struck the net with a composed right-footed shot to score the winning goal. It was his third consecutive match with a goal and his fourth of the season.
After that the match was a period of management for Incheon. Anyang, disadvantaged numerically, tried to use substitutions to turn things around but failed to create a decisive moment. Yukić's free kick late in the second half also missed the goal, and Incheon maintained focus until the end. Just before the final whistle, Lee Ju-yong cleared Kim Ji-hoon's header to preserve the victory.
They turned numerical advantage into opportunity. Incheon seized the long-awaited first win.
At the same time, Gangwon drew 1-1 with Jeju SK in the Hana Bank K League 1 2026 round 5 at Gangneung High1 Arena. Gangwon recorded a third consecutive draw, and Jeju earned 1 point after three straight losses.
The pattern of the match was clear. Gangwon held the ball and Jeju sat back. Jeju focused on defense in an effective five-back formation, dropping its fullbacks to the sides based on a three-back. Gangwon kept probing steadily based on possession.
The opening goal belonged to Jeju. In the 16th minute of the first half, after intercepting the ball in midfield, Cho In-jeong made a direct forward run. A powerful left-footed long-range shot from the left of the arc hit the net. It was an impressive strike in his first professional start.
Gangwon immediately opted for change. In the early 20th minute they took off Shin Min-ha and brought on Kim Do-hyun to reorganize the defensive line, and adjusted the formation to increase attacking numbers. After that the flow was one-sided. They targeted the goal in various ways—corners, cutbacks and long-range shots—but finishing did not follow.
The same pattern continued in the second half. Gangwon even won a penalty. In the 13th minute of the second half they drew a foul inside the box and had a chance, but Mo Jae-hyun's shot was stopped by Kim Dong-jun's save. The ball even struck the post and the equalizing opportunity was lost.
Jeju retreated even deeper. Most players clustered inside the penalty box to hold out. Gangwon continued to look for cracks using the flanks and half spaces, but they lacked the decisive touch. Both long-range shots and headers either missed the goal or were saved by the goalkeeper.
Ultimately the balance was broken in the final scene. In stoppage time of the second half, Abdalla calmly finished after receiving Kang Yoon-koo's pass inside the box to score the equalizer. It was the moment the persistent attack throughout the match bore fruit.
Gangwon avoided defeat. Jeju also held on as if about to crumble. Neither team could fully celebrate the result.
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