2025 Season Review: FC Anyang | OneFootball

Following a first-ever promotion to K League 1 last winter, Anyang shocked the country by winning in Ulsan on the opening day. From that moment on, it was clear the Violets would not be overawed by the step up in quality. They survived relegation early and even recorded the most noteworthy victory in their history, when they stormed Sangam to beat Seoul for the very first time.

What Went Well

Anyang’s season started with a bang. In defensive mode for 93 minutes away to three-in-a-row champions Ulsan HD, they snatched a glorious late winner in front of teary supporters. It set the tone for the entire season: a team that was very tough to break down (their heaviest defeats were by two-goal margins), punching above their weight, winning plenty of narrow matches, and Bruno Mota on the end of expert deliveries to secure vital points. That Anyang never looked in serious danger of relegation must be applauded.

Their second match of the season was away to FC Seoul. Fans of Korean football will be aware of the significance of this fixture to Anyang. FC Seoul relocated to the capital from Anyang in 2004, leaving the city without a club for a decade. Anyang competed valiantly but ended up on the wrong side of a 2–1 result. When the sides met again, this time in Anyang, they were seven minutes away from a famous win. That victory would eventually arrive on a glorious summer’s night, when Thomas Oude Kotte and Bruno struck either side of half-time. More tears.

It is difficult to put into words how significant that victory was for the club, the players, the city, and especially the fans. When the season wrapped up in satisfaction, the win in Seoul was the cherry on top. Kotte and Mota enjoyed excellent seasons, too. It is hard to single out anyone who failed to perform. Aging stars such as Kim Da-sol, Kim Dong-jin, Kim Jung-hyun, and captain Lee Chang-yong were superb. Recruitment—both foreign and domestic—was spot on, and manager Yoo Byeong-hoon mixed and matched his options to great effect. This was an 8/10 season for Anyang.

Thomas Oude Kotte opened the scoring in Sangam.

Finally, it would be remiss not to mention the run of six losses in seven matches up to mid-August. After a tame 1–0 home defeat to Pohang, Anyang looked doomed. Instead, they bounced back emphatically, recording three straight wins and going seven unbeaten. A squad with less resolve would have folded.

What Didn't Go Well

Finishing eighth—and well clear of relegation—in their first season at this level was a fine reward. Not much went wrong, but there are always areas for improvement. Anyang drew seven of their 39 matches, with four of those coming in the final nine games. Their first 12 matches all ended in either a win or a loss. Why does this matter? Fourteen of Anyang’s 17 defeats were by a single goal. Sometimes, especially for teams expected to be near the foot of the table, you need to find ways to turn narrow losses into valuable points. In the end, this didn’t hurt Anyang, but it could have.

This may be explained by the squad’s relative lack of top-flight experience. Many of Anyang’s key players had never played in K League 1 before, while others—such as Kim Dong-jin and Kim Da-sol—had very limited experience. It worked out this time, but as the club approaches its second season in the top flight, and with an aging squad, freshening things up with more K League 1 experience would make sense.

Young Player of the Year

Chae Hyeon-woo after his goal against Ulsan.

Chae Hyun-woo was nominated for K League 1 Young Player of the Year thanks to another season of steady progression from the 21-year-old. Chae made his Anyang debut at the start of last season as a teenager and went on to feature 26 times. The move to K League 1 did not faze him; he made 33 appearances and scored four goals. Chae started the first nine matches, scoring the winner against Daegu midway through that run.

The personal highlight was surely starting away to Seoul when Anyang recorded the most impressive victory in their history. His most significant goal came against Ulsan near the end of the season. Introduced in the 72nd minute, Chae scored within minutes to secure the win and confirm Anyang’s survival. The club may now face a battle to retain a pacey, energetic winger capable of playing on either flank.

Team MVP

Bruno Mota was the right player at the right time for FC Anyang. The big Brazilian won the K League 2 Golden Boot with Cheonan City FC—many, myself included, felt he should have scooped the MVP award as well—and earned a place in the Best XI. Anyang did not win promotion on the back of a prolific attack; they needed a proven goalscorer, and Mota ticked every box. At 29, he was the ideal age to lead the line. Having spent two-and-a-half years in Korea, he knew the culture and environment well. Most importantly, he guaranteed goals, registering 26 in 70 appearances for Cheonan.

Mota also fit the Anyang striker mould perfectly. They favour a powerful, mobile target man who can hold the ball up and allow teammates to transition from defence to attack. Mota played centrally but also chased defenders into the corners and, naturally, dominated in the air. That is where he etched his name into Violet folklore—rising highest to head home the winner at Munsu on opening day. That goal was one of 14 for the season, and he will always be remembered as the man who scored the winner in Sangam. Kim Da-sol, Kim Dong-jin, and Thomas Oude Kotte were unlucky to miss out.

Most Disappointing Player

It pains me to select 31-year-old Kim Woon for this category, because the striker is living the dream. If you haven’t heard of Kim, here’s some background. He finished the 2023 season in K4 with Dangjin Citizen, scoring 13 goals for a side that narrowly missed the playoffs. Before that, he played in K3, the National League, and at university level. The highlight of his nomadic career came when he helped Gyeongju Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power reach the Korea Cup quarter-finals, where they lost on penalties to eventual winners Suwon Samsung.

Anyang took a punt on Kim, and he played his part in their championship-winning campaign. However, the jump to K League 1 proved an insurmountable obstacle. In 29 league appearances, including 10 starts, he failed to register a goal or an assist and missed some important chances along the way. Labeling him “most disappointing” feels harsh given the path he took to reach this level. Kim even started Anyang’s heroic 2–1 win over FC Seoul in Sangam. Still, his struggles placed greater reliance on Bruno Mota as the primary goalscorer. Kim does have attributes—he holds the ball up well and makes life difficult for defenders—but someone had to be chosen. Sorry, Kim Woon.

Most Important Decision of the Off-Season

It is highly possible that 2026 will be a tougher season than the one that preceded it. Incheon United replace Daegu FC, while Suwon FC have finally slipped through the trapdoor. Bucheon FC 1995, led by star man Rodrigo Bassani, will also join the league. Unless the front office, aided by a historically generous city hall, can reinvigorate an aging squad and replace key departing players, Anyang are unlikely to be as comfortable.

But that may not matter. With the K League set for reconstruction next winter, only one team will be relegated based on league position. Gimcheon Sangmu will go down regardless, meaning only the 12th-placed team is truly at risk—though even they will have the safety net of a playoff. Are Anyang likely to drop from eighth to 12th? That seems implausible. This could therefore be a transitional season, with relegation only an outside possibility.

The front office can use the year to refresh the starting XI. Anyang fielded the oldest squad in the league last season and need fresh legs, particularly in defence and goal. There is a noticeable lack of players aged 22–28, so recruitment should focus on that bracket. Replacing departing foreign stars such as Mota, Matheus, and Yago will be crucial. However, with this effectively a free-hit season, that process could be spread over the next 12 months.