K-League Wrap: Ulsan, Pohang ease to victories

Ulsan Hyundai maintained their advantage at the top of the K-League with a comfortable 3-1 win at Gyeongnam on Wednesday.

A late double from Chikashi Masuda proved to be enough for the leaders, as the Japanese midfielder scored his first 11 minutes before the end before sealing the victory in injury time. Masuda’s intervention came after Han Sang-Woon’s 12th-minute strike was cancelled out by Gyeongnam forward Milan Bubalo.

Pohang Steelers remain a point behind Ulsan in second following their 4-0 home success against Gangwon. Forward Cho Chan-Ho netted an impressive hat-trick following Park Sung Ho’s opener as the hosts cruised to an emphatic win.

Jeonbuk Motors stay five points behind in third after they came through an away trip to Daegu, midfielder Seo Sang-Min scoring the only goal of the game just after the hour mark.

Incheon United’s 1-0 win over bottom club Daejeon Citizen keeps them one point adrift of Jeonbuk, a 19th-minute effort from attacker Seol Ki-Hyeon the difference between the two sides as Incheon made it just one defeat in their last six matches.

Busan I’Park’s hopes of qualifying for the Championship round were dealt a blow as they were comfortably beaten at Suwon Bluewings. The home side produced a thoroughly professional display and made sure of maximum points with goals from Hong Chul and Cho Dong-Geon.

However, Busan are still only behind seventh-place Jeju United on goal difference after they were edged out 1-0 by Seoul, defender Adilson Dos Santos scoring the crucial goal for the capital club after 69 minutes.

Elsewhere, Chunnam Dragons ended a run of four games without a win by beating Seongnam 2-1.

Strikers Lee Jong Ho and Wesley moved Chunnam two goals to the good just after 25 minutes. Kim Dong-Sub pulled one back for the visitors, but it proved to be little more than a consolation as Chunnam held on for the three points.