FA Cup Semi-Final First Leg Preview | OneFootball

We're down to the final four of the 2025 Korean Cup. Three clubs from K League 1 have advanced to this stage, including favorites and runaway league leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. K League 2 is represented by Bucheon FC 1995, who face Lee Jung-hyo, determined to cement his legacy in the City of Light with a trophy.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (K League 1) vs. Gangwon FC (K League 1).

Wednesday, August 20th, 19:00. Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Route to the Semi

Owing to their dismal 2024 season,Jeonbuk began their cup adventure earlier than expected. They needed extra time to eliminate K League 2 whipping boys Ansan Greeners in the third round. Jeonbuk followed that up with impressive away wins in Daejeon (3-2) and Seoul (1-0) to reach the last four.

Gangwon finished the season in 2nd, so they were granted a bye until the fourth round. There they met third tier Siheung Citizen, who were already on a giant-killer spree. Gangwon prevailed 2-1 before winning by the same margin at K League 1 basement dwellers Daegu FC.

Recent Form

Jeonbuk ghosted past Daegu FC on Saturday night to open up a huge lead at the top of K League 1. The champions-elect have faced serious challenges of late, notably by a woefully out-of-form Anyang, but they keep finding ways to win. Interestingly, Gangwon were the last club to inflict a defeat on Poyet's and that was back in March. As things stand, 28 points separate Jeonbuk and Gangwon.

Despite playing against 10 men for nearly an hour, Gangwon were unable to secure a valuable win against Jeju SK on Friday. Kim Jun-ha's first-half red card should have been the springboard for an away victory, but it wasn't to be. Gangwon will end the weekend in 8th, 2 points clear of the final relegation spot. They need wins, and fast, because Suwon FC are looking like top 6 contenders all of a sudden.

Cup Legacy

Jeonbuk are Korean Cup royalty, having lifted the trophy on five occasions (second only to Pohang Steelers). Their most recent success came in 2022 when they beat FC Seoul over two legs. The following season, Jeonbuk returned to the final but lost out to the Steelers in Kim Gi-dong's glorious farewell.

Gangwon have equaled their best-ever cup finish with a semi-final appearance. They achieved this once before, back in 2021. In a one-off tie, Bruno Lamas scored the only goal of the match in the 59th minute to send Daegu to the final.

Previous Meetings

This tie marks the first time Jeonbuk Hyundai and Gangwon have been drawn together in the cup, but they have already met three times in the league. In round 4 of the 2025 season, Gangwon beat Jeonbuk 1-0 in Jeonju, marking an early setback in the Gus Poyet revolution. However, by the time the teams met again in June and July, Jeonbuk had already established themselves as the league's dominant power. They made light work of Gangwon, winning 2-0 and 3-0.

Prediction

Gangwon continue to punch well above their weight, in both the league and the cup. However, it would constitute a major surprise if they left Jeonju with the tie still in the balance.Jeonbuk to win 3-0.

Gwangju FC (K League 1) vs. Bucheon FC 1995 (K League 2).

Wednesday, August 20th, 19:30. Gwangju World Cup Stadium.

Route to the Semi

Gwangju opened their account with a comfortable win against Gyeongju KHNP in the third round. A trip to Castle Park followed, and after the game ended 1-1, Gwangju prevailed 4-3 on penalties. Their reward was Ulsan HD (the beaten finalists) in turmoil due to a poor FIFA World Club Cup and an uninspiring start to the season. Cho Sung-gwon's 75th-minute strike was the only goal of the match. Afterward, manager Lee declared it his number one goal to win the FA Cup with Gwangju.

Bucheon have taken the scenic route, advancing through more rounds than any of the other semi-finalists. K3 side Yeoju were dispatched 3-1 in the second round, setting up the Home Town Derby with Jeju SK. Jeju were once known as Bucheon SK. In one of several surprise results that night, Jeju were beaten on their return to the city. Next, Bucheon again defied the odds to win in extra time against high-flying Gimcheon Sangmu. That took them up the Han to Gimpo for the only all-K League 2 tie in the last eight. Bucheon won 3-1 to advance.

Recent Form

Gwangju extinguished whatever was left of a title race when they beat Daejeon Hana Citizen in Sunday's late kick-off. Brazilian Reis netted in each half to secure a 2-0 win. The victory brought to an end a poor run of one point from 12, lifting the club above Ulsan into 6th. Gwangju have been operating between 5th and 7th for almost the entire season.

Down in Gwangyang,Bucheon suffered a potentially crippling late defeat to Jeonnam Dragons. Jeonnam took the lead on 84 minutes but talisman Rodrigo Bassani equalized 100 seconds later. This would have represented a big point for Bucheon, who led Jeonnam in the table, but in the 4th minute of added-on time, the hosts scored and held on. The defeat is Bucheon's 3rd in four games and sees them lose 3rd spot to the Dragons.

Cup Legacy

Beaten quarter-finalists in 2023,Gwangju went one round further, making the semis in 2024. They would lose 3-2 on aggregate to Ulsan HD, but that last four appearance marked their best-ever finish in the domestic cup competition. They have equaled that, and due to the kind draw, they should continue several years of progression by qualifying for their first-ever final.

This will beBucheon's second appearance at the semi-final stage, too. This was previously achieved in 2016 when Pohang and Jeonbuk were eliminated in an impressive run. The dream ended thanks to Dejan Damjanović's early goal for FC Seoul. Since then, Bucheon have typically won one or two ties before getting knocked out early.

Previous Meeting

This marks the second straight season Gwangju have faced Bucheon in the Cup and fourth overall, with Lee Jung-hyo's team leading 2-1 on head-to-head. The first Cup meeting came in April 2014 when a reported crowd of less than 300 turned up to the Gwangju World Cup Stadium to see the hosts eliminate Bucheon 1-0 thanks to Kim You-sung's early strike. The Gyeonggi side would regain revenge for that elimination in 2022 with a 2-1 victory when both clubs were in the second division. Last season, Gwangju almost blew a 3-0 lead in Bucheon, eventually hanging on to reach the quarters.

Prediction

For the neutral, this tie is aggravating. I'd love to see Bucheon advance and follow in Jeonnam Dragons' footsteps by winning the Cup from the second tier. Even though I'm not a Gwangju fan, it is myKorean hometown and I find Lee Jung-hyo a fascinating character. But logic suggests the mid-table K League 1 team should have too much for their opponents on home soil. It'll be close. Gwangju 2-1 Bucheon.