The K League match between FC Seoul and Incheon United drew 51,670 fans, the highest paid attendance since 2018. The two teams battled to a 0-0 draw, with neither team able to find the back of the net.
The Seoul home opener of the 2024 K League 1 (1st Division) Round 2 at Seoul World Cup Stadium on April 10 was a preview of things to come, as more than 44,000 tickets were sold in advance. In the end, more than 50,000 fans filled the stadium, including on-site sales, easily surpassing the previous record of 45,057 set on April 8 last year against Seoul-Daegu. At the time of the Seoul-Daegu match, popular singer Lim Young-woong performed at the opening ceremony and halftime, attracting a large number of Lim fans to the stadium.
The 51,670 people who entered Sangam on that day were the largest crowd since 2018, when only paid spectators were counted, and since the implementation of the promotion system in 2013. It ranks fourth on the all-time list. The previous record was 67,474 at Seoul-Seongnam Stadium on May 5, 2010, when young fans were admitted for free on Children’s Day.
The ‘Lingard effect’ was huge.
Jesse Lingard, 32, who joined FC Seoul as a surprise signing before the season, is the most famous foreign player in K League history.
He played 232 games for Manchester United in England, scoring 35 goals, and also played 32 games (6 goals) in an England jersey, including a starring role at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On the day of the match, Seoul organized a “Lingard Zone” in front of the stadium. The space was set aside to sell jerseys with Lingard’s name and number 10 on the front of the stadium. Seoul sold more than 1,000 jerseys against Incheon, generating more than $100 million in revenue. That’s more than five times more than in a normal game.
Seoul head coach Kim Ki-dong made five changes to his starting lineup against Incheon after suffering a 0-2 loss in the first round against Gwangju on Feb. 2. 스포츠토토 National team member Kang Sang-woo, who joined Seoul on July 7 after playing in Beijing, China, started on the right wing and partnered with Ilyuchenko in the center and Kim Sang-hyeop on the left in attack. Incheon’s attack was spearheaded by Montenegrin international striker Mugosa, who has 71 career K League goals.
Seoul, who started the game with the support of the clouded crowd, did not easily connect with Incheon’s offense. Instead, Incheon took advantage of their solid defense to create chances with sharp counterattacks. Incheon took the lead in the 13th minute when Jung Dong-yoon received a long pass from the back from Mpoku, but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Choi Chul-won.
Coach Kim Ki-dong, who said before the match that Lingard was “still at 60 to 70 percent” of his fitness
Instructed Lingard to warm up in the first 20 minutes as the Incheon defense was stuck in a rut. The moment Lingard hit the ground in the 29th minute, earlier than expected, a thunderous roar erupted from the Seoul stands. The Incheon fans, a massive 4,000-strong traveling contingent, responded with boos. Lingard was the focal point of the attack as an attacking midfielder behind Ilyuchenko.
In the 35th minute, Lingard created the decisive chance. After receiving an exquisite through ball from Lingard, Kang Sang-woo found himself facing the goalkeeper, but the ball was saved by Lee Bum-soo.
Incheon gained momentum at the start of the second half, attacking quickly and creating several chances. Seoul failed to push the tempo with too many crosses and backpasses. Lingard also didn’t have many opportunities to get on the ball.
In the 38th minute of the second half, Lingard had a chance. Kang Sung-jin’s pass down the right flank was met by Lingard, but the ball sailed wide. The two teams continued to attack, but the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
GS Group Chairman Heo Tae-soo visited the stadium to watch the match. “We must focus on GS Sports’ capabilities with the mindset of prioritizing not only our performance but also the fans who support us,” said Heo.