Hello everyone, today is December 14, 2023. Below, let's take a look at today's "Hanzu Evening News" focus news, which is as follows:
1. Summary of K1 League attendance: The prosperity of the post-epidemic era is coming
2. Go and stay!FC Seoul welcomed the new coach on the same day and sent meritorious service
3. European arena: Li Gangren advanced to the knockout round, and Huang Renfan shocked Manchester City with a goal and an assist
Let's take a look at the details of each news
Nearly half a month has passed since the 2023 K1 season, and for many people, this is the first year of the "post-epidemic era" to reopen a large number of spectators, and it is also the 40th year of the K-League's establishment. Either way, it will rekindle the passion of the fans. So what about K-League attendance this year?Judging from the current data, this is the most prosperous year in the K-League after the 2018 season!One of the most obvious statistics is that this year's total audience exceeded the 3 million mark for the first time!(Note: The total audience of the K1 League this year is 2,447,147, and the total audience of the K2 League [including 2 playoff games] this year is 564,362!)）
Let's take the K1 league as an example: FC Seoul's home stadium, the Seoul World Cup Arena, hosted 19 matches this year, with a total of more than 430,000 fans coming to watch the games, which is the first time that the home attendance has exceeded the 400,000 mark in the year since the establishment of the K-League. In particular, the Seoul vs. Daegu match where singer Lim Young-yong came to kick off at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 8, a total of 45,007 fans came to the scene and witnessed the 3-0 victory of FC Seoul.
In addition to FC Seoul, another club that has made an absolute contribution to attendance is champion Ulsan Hyundai. This year, their home stadium total is 345,990 (18,210 per game), which is second only to FC Seoul and the second highest attendance in the K1 League this year, and it is also the first time in Ulsan's modern history that it has exceeded the 300,000 mark. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motor's home stadium data this year is 238,759 (12,566 per game), ranking thirdDaegu FC ranked fifth with 208,340 (10,965 per game). And who is the fourth?It is the only K1 team to be relegated this season, Suwon Samsung Blue Wings!They had an attendance of 224,177 at home (11,799 per game).
There is also an interesting record, and that is the booming month!As I mentioned earlier, FC Seoul played Daegu at home in April with 45,007 people, and at home in May, Jeonbuk played with 37,008 people. In November, the "National Derby" relegation battle with Suwon Samsung Blue Wings was also the last home game of the season, and 36,007 people came!Of course, the "modern derby" can also join in the fun, with a total of 30,756 people coming to watch the two teams in August. And many of the focus battles are basically all seats sold out one day before the start of the game, which was unthinkable in the past.
The increase in the number of spectators reflects the enthusiasm and love of the fans for the K-League. This is something we didn't expect, and the K-League will have such a big charm to attract so many spectators to watch the game. For the healthy development of a professional league, how to win the support of the audience to a greater extent, how to let more fans come to the scene to cheer for themselves, that will be a matter that every club needs to think about seriously. Undoubtedly, the K League has spent a lot of brains in operation this year and has achieved good results.
For FC Seoul fans, they finally waited for the official announcement of the team's new manager today. Without any suspense, on December 14, FC Seoul announced through its official social platform: former Pohang Irons coach Kim Ki-dong was officially appointed as the 15th coach of FC Seoul.
After joining the team, Coach Kim Ki-dong said, "Thank you FC Seoul for choosing me. I'm going to do my best to prove that the team made the right choice for me. Most importantly, I believe that it is my duty to recreate the former glory of FC Seoul, and I will do my best to meet everyone's expectations. ”
However, in addition to the arrival of the "new coach", Seoul fans also have to accept the departure of a meritorious player, and he is Na Sang-ho. According to Japan**, FC Seoul's midfielder Na Sang-ho will sign a contract with J1 League newcomer Machida Wizea, which is also Na Sang-ho's return to the J-League after 5 years.
However, this evening, Na Sang-ho's agent denied such news, he said, "We have contacted 3 4 teams, Na Sang-ho's own intention is to play in the European League, he is not too interested in returning to the J1 League, if it is not good to go to Europe, the Japanese J1 League will be his last choice." ”
It is reported that clubs in small and medium-sized leagues, including the Turkish Super League, have made contact with Na Sang-ho. In fact, in any case, Na Sang-ho's departure from the team has become a fact. Although the FC Seoul fans are sad, they also wish the captain who has built up the team in the past good luck in the future, and of course, it is better to prove himself in the Europa League, if he can, it is the fourth consecutive FC Seoul player to go to Europe after Hwang In-beom, Lee Han-fan and Hwang Eui-su.
Last night, the final round of the 2023-24 Champions League group stage was also contested. In the "Group of Death", Paris Saint-Germain, where Li Gangren plays, challenged Dortmund, which has already qualified, away from home. In the 68th minute of the game, he had a number of breakthroughs and shots, three shots and four crosses, although he did not directly cause a goal, but one of his passes was handed to Mbappe, who assisted Unai Emery to equalise. In the end, the two sides drew 1-1. With AC Milan beating Newcastle United 2-1 away, Paris Saint-Germain were lucky to finish second in their group and make it to the knockout rounds. Lee Gang-in's dream continues, and perhaps we will witness the "Korean Derby" in the knockout round of the Champions League.
Let's take a look at the performance of the teams that have already been decided. Last night in Belgrade, although they were already out of the group, Red Star Belgrade played their most beautiful game!South Korean midfielder Hwang In-bum broke the goal drought in the Serbian Super League in midweek, and in this game against the powerful Manchester City, he contributed a pass and a shot, especially in the 76th minute on the left side of the penalty areaBefore the end of the game, Hwang In-beom assisted his teammate's header to score the goal, and finally Red Star Belgrade lost 2-3. But Hwang In-beom scored his first goal and first assist in the Champions League, going down in the history of Korean football. For him personally, this is a new breakthrough!
Finally, let's take a look at the Celtic situation. In this game, only one South Korean player, Oh Hyun-hun, sat on the bench, and he came on in the 68th minute to replace his underperforming teammate. After Oh Hyun came on, the team's attack improved, and Wu Hyun Hyun used the breakthrough to keep the opponent's backline busy. Although he didn't score, the team finally completed the last minute to win the Champions League group 2-1. For Wu Xianhua, he can also say goodbye to this season's European competition without regrets.
(Editor in charge: Korean Football Research Association).
The copyright of the above news belongs to the "Korean Football Research Association".