Jeonbuk's depth already apparent
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Jeonbuk Hyundai striker Lee Dong-gook celebrates after scoring a goal during the K-League Classic football match against Ulsan Hyundai at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, March 1. / Yonhap
By John Duerden
There is a long way to go, but Pohang Steelers will be delighted with the start to the 2018 K-League season with a 3-0 victory over Daegu FC.
The past two years have not been as good as they should have been for the Steelers with a ninth place and seventh place finish.
More is expected this season and there is some talent at the club even if there is a lack of big names compared to the past. Nobody is demanding the title but a top three finish should be the target.
The Steelers should be one of the biggest teams in Asia -- after all, the club has been continental champion three times, more than any other team.
Much depends on new Brazilian import Leo Gamalho, 32. He scored twice in his debut and hopes are high that this could be a decent season. Players who score goals are always important, but in the K-League they are crucial and that was demonstrated elsewhere.
The big game of the opening round involved two teams that finished in the top four last season. Jeonbuk Motors lifted the title in 2017 by some distance, and hosting Ulsan Horangi, which finished fourth, would give an indication of what may be in store this season.
Jeonbuk won 2-0 and showed the rest of the league that it will again be the team to beat this season. More than any other team, the Motors have enviable attacking options.
It was telling that despite starting with the likes of Kim Shin-wook and Adriano on the field, both goals came from substitutes. Lee Dong-gook and Han Kyo-won came off the bench to win the points for Jeonbuk.
No other club has such strength in depth and can afford to bring such talented players off the bench.
Take FC Seoul for example. The club was pleased to tie 0-0 against Jeju United on opening day. For the 2016 champion, fifth in 2017 was a disappointment and its lowest finish since 2011.
Jeju finished second last season and the trip to the island these days is a tough one.
Both Seoul and Jeju defended well, but they lacked a cutting edge. This is what makes the difference in the K-League.
It has never been an easy place to score goals. Defenses often come out on top and most coaches look to defend first and hit on the counter-attack. So it is those teams with the firepower that will succeed. Chances can be tough to come by, and teams that waste them will struggle.
This is why Jeonbuk has already shown it is the team to beat. The rest of the league has to work out how to stop the men in green.