Defending champions eliminated early in nat'l football tournament

Sports 08:53 May 26, 2022

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, May 26 (Yonhap) -- The defending champions Jeonnam Dragons have been sent home early from the top national football tournament.

Busan Transportation Corp., a third-tier semi-pro club playing out of the K3 League, stunned the K League 2's Jeonnam 5-4 in a penalty shootout in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

Daegu FC players celebrate their 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Daejeon Korail in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup football tournament at Daejeon World Cup Stadium's auxiliary field in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 25, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Busan exacted revenge on Jeonnam after falling to the same club on penalties in the round of 16 a year ago.

Jeonnam then went on to become the first second division club to win the FA Cup, a tournament that brings together professional, semi-pro and college teams from across the nation. But Jeonnam's title defense couldn't get past the fourth round. No team has won back-to-back FA Cups since Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2009-2010.

The runners-up from last year, Daegu FC of the K League 1, eked past Daejeon Korail, another K3 League side, 5-4 on penalties.

Ulsan Hyundai FC players celebrate their 2-0 victory over Gyeongnam FC in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup football tournament at Jinju Stadium in Jinju, 430 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 25, 2022. (Yonhap)

Elsewhere, Ulsan Hyundai FC, currently in first place in the K League 1, defeated the K League 2 club Gyeongnam FC 2-0. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the five-time defending K League 1 champions, defeated Ulsan Citizen of the K3 League 1-0.

There were three matches pitting K League 1 clubs against each other: Suwon Samsung Bluewings defeated Gangwon FC 2-0, Pohang Steelers beat Seongnam FC 2-1, and FC Seoul got past Jeju United 3-1.

Sebastian Gronning of Suwon Samsung Bluewings (C) scores against Gangwon FC in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup football tournament at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, 45 kilometers south of Seoul, on May 25, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

In an all-K League 2 contest, Bucheon FC prevailed over Gwangju FC 2-1.

All four quarterfinal matches will kick off at 7 p.m. on June 29. It will be Jeonbuk vs. Suwon, Daegu FC vs. Pohang, Ulsan Hyundai FC vs. Bucheon and Busan Transportation Corp. vs. FC Seoul.