Defending champ Jeonbuk claim season opener over FC Seoul

JEONJU, South Korea, March 12 (Yonhap) -- Two-time defending champion Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defeated visiting FC Seoul 1-0 Saturday in their first match of the 2016 K League Classic football season.

Forward Kim Shin-wook headed in the winner in the 62nd minute at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, as Jeonbuk began their quest for a third consecutive championship.

Kim, last year's scoring champion acquired from Ulsan Hyundai FC, is one of several big names to join Jeonbuk this past offseason. The lanky forward made an immediate impact, as he put his head on a Lee Jae-sung corner kick in the second half.

Jeonbuk then played lockdown defense on FC Seoul to preserve the clean sheet victory.

Elsewhere on the opening day, Seongnam FC blanked visiting Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2-0. Midfielder Kim Do-heon opened the scoring in the 48th and Tiago doubled the lead seven minutes later.

Suwon outshot Seongnam 9-7 but failed to get on board.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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