Jesse Lingard makes home debut in Seoul, drawing record 51,670 spectators

Gwangju clinched the top spot on the table, edging out defending league champions Ulsan by points scored.

FC Seoul midfielder Jesse Lingard comes on in a K League 1 match against Incheon United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Sunday. [YONHAP]

The K League 1 match between FC Seoul and Incheon United at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Sunday drew a record 51,670 spectators, with FC Seoul’s new signee Jesse Lingard making his home debut.

The number was the largest since the introduction of the promotion-and-relegation system in 2013. The previous record was 47,899 spectators set by the Super Match — a game between FC Seoul and now-relegated Suwon Samsung Bluewings — at the same venue in 2016.

Sunday’s huge number was perhaps partly thanks to former Manchester United midfielder Lingard, who joined FC Seoul last month. Despite the massive crowd, it was a tepid clash between the capital side and Incheon that ended in a goalless draw.

Lingard came on as a sub in the 30th minute and recorded one shot through the end of the game. The rest of the squad also struggled to land chances at the net and managed just one other shot on target.

Incheon, on the other hand, recorded seven shots on target but still failed to break through.

Both sides have yet to win a game in the league, having so far recorded one draw and one loss apiece.

Over in Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang on Saturday, defending champions Ulsan HD faced newly-promoted Gimcheon Sangmu and notched a 3-2 win thanks to quick work at the start.

Ulsan put the scoreboard at 3-0 before the break, though they conceded two goals to Kim Hyeon-ung in the second half. Still, they held onto the lead through the end.

Four other teams were in action on Saturday.

Suwon FC faced Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at home and drew 1-1.

Suwon midfielder Lee Seung-woo opened the scoring in front of Korean national team interim manager Hwang Sun-hong, who watched the game ahead of the national team roster announcement on Monday.

Suwon FC's Lee Seung-woo, center, shoots during a K League 1 match against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Saturday. [YONHAP]

Jeonbuk then equalized thanks to new signee Tiago Orobo, who joined Jeonbuk in December last year from fellow K League 1 side Daejeon Hana Citizen as the league’s second-top scorer, scoring his first goal at his new squad.

Last season’s runners-up Pohang Steelers, meanwhile, beat Daegu FC 3-1 at home, securing their first win under new manager Park Tae-ha.

Pohang Steelers midfielder Kim Jong-woo, left, celebrates scoring during a K League 1 match against Daegju FC at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang on Saturday. [NEWS1]

The 3-1 loss put Daegu at the bottom of the 12-team league table, having lost two consecutive games since the league began on March 1.

Elsewhere, Gwangju FC remained at the top of the table with a 4-2 win over Gangwon FC on Sunday.

Gwangju and Ulsan have six points each, but Gwangju edged the defending champions out by more goals scored — the second deciding factor when two teams are tied on points.

Jeju United also played on Sunday and claimed third place on the table with a 3-1 victory over Daejeon in Jeju.

The K League will continue this week with Daejeon facing Gangwon at home on Saturday. Suwon will travel south to play Daegu on the same day, while FC Seoul take on Jeju in the capital.

The Steelers will then face league leaders Gwangju in Pohang, North Gyeongsang the following day.

Jeonbuk and Gimcheon will face off in Gimcheon, and the match between defending champions Ulsan and Incheon in Ulsan will wrap up this week’s league schedule.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]