2012 in South Korean football

The 2012 season involves the domestic leagues of South Korean football and the National team.

Honors

League
Competition	Start	End	Champions
K-League	3 March	1 December	FC Seoul
Korea National League	10 March	17 November	Incheon Korail
Challengers League	5 March	24 November	FC Pocheon
WK-League	26 March	29 October	Goyang Daekyo Noonnoppi
Cup
Competition	Start	End	Winners
Korean FA Cup	17 March	20 October	Pohang Steelers
National League Cup	1 June	13 June	Suwon City
Challengers Cup	28 July	4 August	Icheon Citizen

Leagues

K-League

Main article: 2012 K-League

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	FC Seoul (C) (Q)	44	29	9	6	76	42	+34	96	Qualification to 2013 AFC Champions League Group Stage
2	Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Q)	44	22	13	9	82	49	+33	79
3	Pohang Steelers (Q)	44	23	8	13	72	47	+25	77
4	Suwon Samsung Bluewings (Q)	44	20	13	11	61	51	+10	73
5	Ulsan Hyundai	44	18	14	12	60	52	+8	68
6	Jeju United	44	16	15	13	71	56	+15	63
7	Busan IPark	44	13	14	17	40	51	−11	53
8	Gyeongnam FC	44	14	8	22	50	60	−10	50
9	Incheon United	44	17	16	11	46	40	+6	67
10	Daegu FC	44	16	13	15	55	56	−1	61
11	Chunnam Dragons	44	13	14	17	47	60	−13	53
12	Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma	44	14	10	20	47	56	−9	52
13	Daejeon Citizen	44	13	11	20	46	67	−21	50
14	Gangwon FC	44	14	7	23	57	68	−11	49
15	Gwangju FC (R)	44	10	15	19	57	67	−10	45	Relegation to 2013 K League Challenge
16	Sangju Sangmu Phoenix (R)	44	7	6	31	29	74	−45	27	Withdrawn2,3

Updated to games played on 2 December 2012.
Source: K-League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
¹Pohang Steelers, the winner of the 2012 Korean FA Cup, will qualify for the 2013 AFC Champions League.
²Because Sangju Sangmu Phoenix can not compete in the AFC Champions League, if Sangju would in the top three in the league, the next highest-placed team of the league advance AFC Champions League.
³Sangju Sangmu Phoenix withdrew from the league after Round 30.
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Korea National League

Main article: 2012 Korea National League

League table

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Goyang KB Kookmin Bank	26	15	10	1	51	20	+31	55	Championship playoff
2	Ulsan Hyundai Mipo Dolphin	26	15	4	7	61	30	+31	49
3	Gangneung City	26	14	5	7	32	21	+11	47
4	Changwon City	26	14	4	8	36	30	+6	46
5	Incheon Korail (C)	26	12	6	8	39	30	+9	42
6	Yongin City	26	12	6	8	37	35	+2	42
7	Busan Transportation Corporation	26	11	8	7	28	23	+5	41
8	Mokpo City	26	10	6	10	28	37	−9	36
9	Suwon City	26	9	7	10	29	32	−3	34
10	Ansan H FC	26	8	8	10	25	34	−9	32
11	Gimhae City	26	6	10	10	26	34	−8	28
12	Chungju Hummel	26	5	6	15	20	34	−14	21
13	Cheonan City	26	6	1	19	25	45	−20	19
14	Daejeon KHNP	26	3	3	20	22	54	−32	12

Updated to games played on 27 October 2012.
Source: Korea National League (Korean)
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Championship Play-off

	First round					Second round					Semifinals					Finals
						0	(bye)	0
						2	Ulsan Hyundai Mipo	0
	3	Gangneung City	0 (2)								2	Ulsan Hyundai Mipo	1
	6	Yongin City	0 (4)								5	Incheon Korail	2
						6	Yongin City	1
	4	Changwon City	0			5	Incheon Korail	3
	5	Incheon Korail	2													5	Incheon Korail	1	3	4
																1	Goyang KB	0	2	2
											0	(bye)	0
											1	Goyang KB	0

Challengers League

Main article: 2012 Challengers League

Group A

League standing is calculated by group A result (16 round) plus inter league (9 round) result.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	FC Pocheon (Q)	25	20	2	3	101	24	+77	62	Championship playoff
2	Chuncheon FC (Q)	25	18	4	3	62	25	+37	58
3	Icheon Citizen	25	17	2	6	73	27	+46	53
4	Yeonggwang FC	25	9	5	11	45	38	+7	32
5	Jeonju FC	25	8	4	13	52	55	−3	28
6	Gwangju Gwangsan FC	25	8	4	13	47	68	−21	28
7	Jungnang Chorus Mustang	26	6	3	17	33	75	−42	21
8	Namyangju United	25	2	1	22	31	120	−89	061
9	Seoul FC Martyrs	25	0	2	23	33	158	−125	2

Updated to games played on 3 Nov 2012.
Source: www.kfa.or.kr (Korean)
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
¹ Namyangju Citizen were deducted one point
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Group B

League standing is calculated by group A result (16 round) plus inter league (9 round) result.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Paju Citizen (Q)	25	15	5	5	61	34	+27	50	Championship playoff
2	Cheongju FC (Q)	25	14	7	4	72	30	+42	49
3	Yangju Citizen	25	14	4	7	79	51	+28	46
4	Gyeongju Citizen	25	12	7	6	48	30	+18	43
5	Bucheon FC 1995	25	12	5	8	52	29	+23	41
6	Seoul United	25	11	5	9	62	56	+6	38
7	Cheonan FC	25	7	10	8	44	43	+1	31
8	Yesan United	25	8	2	15	57	72	−15	26
9	Goyang Citizen	25	5	7	13	43	60	−17	0212

Updated to games played on 3 Nov 2012.
Source: www.kfa.or.kr (Korean)
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
² Goyang FC were deducted one point
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

League Total

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	FC Pocheon (Q)	25	20	2	3	101	24	+77	62	Championship playoff
2	Chuncheon FC (Q)	25	18	4	3	62	25	+37	58
3	Icheon Citizen	25	17	2	6	73	27	+46	53
4	Paju Citizen (Q)	25	15	5	5	61	34	+27	50	Championship playoff
5	Cheongju FC (Q)	25	14	7	4	72	30	+42	49
6	Yangju Citizen	25	14	4	7	79	51	+28	46
7	Gyeongju Citizen	25	12	7	6	48	30	+18	43
8	Bucheon FC 1995	25	12	5	8	52	29	+23	41
9	Seoul United	25	11	5	9	62	56	+6	38
10	Yeonggwang FC	25	9	5	11	45	38	+7	32
11	Cheonan FC	25	7	10	8	44	43	+1	31
12	Jeonju FC	25	8	4	13	51	55	−4	28
13	Gwangju Gwangsan FC	25	8	4	13	47	68	−21	28
14	Yesan United	25	8	2	15	57	72	−15	26
15	Goyang Citizen	25	5	7	13	44	60	−16	0212
16	Jungnang Chorus Mustang	25	6	2	17	33	75	−42	20
17	Namyangju United	25	2	1	22	31	120	−89	061
18	Seoul FC Martyrs	25	0	2	23	33	158	−125	2

Updated to games played on 3 Nov 2012.
Source: www.kfa.or.kr (Korean)
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
¹ Namyangju Citizen were deducted one point
² Goyang FC were deducted one point
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Championship Play-off

	Playoff					Semifinals						Final
												1	FC Pocheon		1
						2	Chuncheon FC	3				2	Chuncheon FC		0
	4	Paju Citizen (p)	1 (5)			4	Paju Citizen	2
	5	Cheongju Jikji	1 (4)

WK-League

Main article: 2012 WK-League

League

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Goyang Daekyo Noonnoppi	21	17	2	2	54	11	+43	53	WK-League Championship
2	Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels	21	16	2	3	43	17	+26	50	WK-League Playoff
3	Jeonbuk KSPO	21	10	2	9	30	32	−2	32
4	Chungbuk Sportstoto	21	7	5	9	31	43	−12	26
5	Seoul Amazones	21	5	9	7	26	29	−3	24
6	Suwon FMC	21	6	6	9	29	39	−10	24
7	Chungnam Ilhwa Chunma	21	3	6	12	16	30	−14	15
8	Busan Sangmu	21	2	4	15	25	53	−28	10

Updated to games played on 17 September 2012.
Source: wkleague.co.kr
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Playoff and championship

The playoff is played one leg and championship final is played over two legs.

	Play-off						Championship final
	1	Goyang Daekyo Noonnoppi (Bye)
							1	Goyang Daekyo Noonnoppi	0	3	3
							2	Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels	1	1	2
	2	Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels	3
	3	Jeonbuk KSPO	2

Cups

Korean FA Cup

Main article: 2012 Korean FA Cup

Korea National League Championship

Main article: 2012 Korea National League Championship

Challengers Cup

Main article: 2012 Challengers Cup

South Korean clubs performance in Asia

Champions League

Main article: 2012 AFC Champions League

South Korean clubs' score displayed first

Team	Round	Opponent	1st leg	2nd leg	Aggregate
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors	Group Stage	Guangzhou Evergrande	1–5	3–1	None
		Kashiwa Reysol	1–5	0–2
		Buriram United	2–0	3–2
Pohang Steelers	Qualifying play-off	Chonburi			2–0
	Group Stage	Adelaide United	1–0	0–1	None
		Gamba Osaka	3–0	2–0
		Bunyodkor	0–2	0–1
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma	Group Stage	Central Coast Mariners	1–1	5–0	None
		Tianjin Teda	1–1	3–0
		Nagoya Grampus	2–2	1–1
	Round of 16	Bunyodkor			0–1
Ulsan Hyundai	Group Stage	Brisbane Roar	1–1	2–1	None
		Beijing Guoan	2–1	3–2
		FC Tokyo	2–2	1–0
	Round of 16	Kashiwa Reysol			3–2
	Quarter-finals	Al-Hilal	1–0	4–0	5–0
	Semi-finals	Bunyodkor	3–1	2–0	5–1
	Final	Al-Ahli			3–0

Asian Challenge Cup

Main article: 2012 Asian Challenge Cup

Team	Round	Opponent	Score
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma	Semifinal	Guangzhou R&F	5–1
	Final	Shimizu S-Pulse	5–1

National team

Men's

Main article: South Korea national football team

2014 FIFA World Cup qualification

South Korea v Kuwait

29 February 2012 Third Round	South Korea	2 – 0	Kuwait	Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul
21:00 UTC+09	Lee Dong-Gook  65' Lee Keun-Ho  71'	Report		Referee: Yuichi Nishimura (Japan)

Qatar v South Korea

8 June 2012 Fourth Round	Qatar	1 – 4	South Korea	Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha
19:15 UTC+03	Ahmed  22'	Report	Lee Keun-Ho  26', 80' Kwak Tae-Hwi  55' Kim Shin-Wook  64'	Attendance: 10,730 Referee: Ali Al-Badwawi (United Arab Emirates)

South Korea v Lebanon

12 June 2012 Fourth Round	South Korea	3 – 0	Lebanon	Goyang Stadium, Goyang
20:00 UTC+09	Kim Bo-Kyung  30', 48' Koo Ja-Cheol  90'	Report		Attendance: 36,756 Referee: Masaaki Toma (Japan)

Uzbekistan v South Korea

11 September 2012 Fourth Round	Uzbekistan	2 – 2	South Korea	Pakhtakor Markaziy Stadium, Tashkent
18:00 UTC+05	Ki Sung-Yeung  13' (o.g.) Tursunov  59'	Report	Filiposyan  44' (o.g.) Lee Dong-Gook  57'	Attendance: 33,000 Referee: Ben Williams (Australia)

Iran v South Korea

16 October 2012 Fourth Round	Iran	1 – 0	South Korea	Azadi Stadium, Tehran
20:00 UTC+03:30	Nekounam  76'	Report		Attendance: 99,885 Referee: Malik Abdul Bashir (Singapore)

Friendlies

South Korea v Uzbekistan

25 February 2012	South Korea	4 – 2	Uzbekistan	Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju
14:00 UTC+09	Lee Dong-Gook  18', 45+1' Kim Chi-Woo  46', 90'		Rakhimov  78' Andreev  83' (pen.)	Attendance: 28,931 Referee: Chaiya Mahapab (Thailand)

Spain v South Korea

30 May 2012	Spain	4 – 1	South Korea	Stade de Suisse, Bern
19:00 UTC+01	Torres  12' Alonso  52' (pen.) Cazorla  56' Negredo  80'		Kim Do-Heon  43'	Attendance: 10,220 Referee: Alain Bieri (Switzerland)

South Korea v Zambia

15 August 2012	South Korea	2 – 1	Zambia	Anyang Stadium, Anyang
20:00 UTC+09	Lee Keun-Ho  16', 48'		Mayuka  28'	Attendance: 16,606 Referee: Nawaf Shukralla (Bahrain)

South Korea v Australia

14 November 2012	South Korea	1 – 2	Australia	Hwaseong Stadium, Hwaseong
19:00 UTC+09	Lee Dong-Gook  11'		Nikita Rukavytsya  43' Cornthwaite  87'	Attendance: 21,618 Referee: Wang Zhe (China)

Men's U-23

2012 Summer Olympics

Mexico v South Korea

26 July Group Round	Mexico	0 – 0	South Korea	Newcastle, United Kingdom
14:30 GMT		Report		Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 15,748 Referee: Slim Jedidi (Tunisia)

South Korea v Switzerland

29 July Group Round	South Korea	2 – 1	Switzerland	Coventry, United Kingdom
17:15 GMT	Park Chu-young  57' Kim Bo-kyung  64'	Report	Emeghara  60'	Stadium: City of Coventry Stadium Attendance: 30,114 Referee: Raúl Orosco (Bolivia)

South Korea v Gabon

1 August Group Round	South Korea	0 – 0	Gabon	London, United Kingdom
17:00 GMT		Report		Stadium: Wembley Stadium Attendance: 76,927 Referee: Pavel Královec (Czech Republic)

Great Britain v South Korea

South Korea v Brazil

7 August Semi-finals	South Korea	0 – 3	Brazil	Manchester, United Kingdom
14:30 GMT		Report	Monteiro  39' Damião  57'  64'	Stadium: Old Trafford, Manchester Attendance: 69,389 Referee: Pavel Královec (Czech Republic)

Japan v South Korea

10 August Bronze Medal Match	Japan	0 – 2	South Korea	Cardiff, United Kingdom
14:30 GMT		Report	Park Chu-Young  39' Koo Ja-cheol  57'	Stadium: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 56,393 Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan)