An under-strength Pohang Steelers side defeated Gwangju Sangmu 3-2 to go second in the table. Pohang coach Sergio Farias rested his entire first team ahead of their second-leg match in the Asian Champions League semi-final against Umm Salal of Qatar next Wednesday.

And it initially appeared to be a bad decision when Gwangju took the lead after just nine minutes as Choi Sung-Kuk took advantage of a defensive mix-up to score from just inside the area. But seven minutes later Pohang's Japanese defender Kazunari Okayama headed home from a corner, before they took the lead in the 42nd minute through Kim Myung-Joong.

Just before the hour it was 2-2 when Jang Hyong-Gyu's header squeezed through the hands of Kim Ji-Hyuk to give Gwangju an equaliser. Pohang's lead was restored with 18 minutes remaining. Kim Ki-Dong's free-kick was swung in from the left and a deflection from Gwangju's Hwang Sun-Pil caused the ball to loop into the net.

Pohang won 2-0 in the first leg of the Asian Champions League three days previously and Farias has switched his attention to the long journey to West Asia for the crucial second leg.

We are now focusing on going to Qatar to get a good result. The game may be away from home, but we are capable of winning.
Pohang Steelers coach Sergio Farias on the upcoming match with Umm Salal

"We are not thinking about the 2-0 lead," said the Brazilian. "We are now focusing on going to Qatar to get a good result. The game may be away from home, but we are capable of winning."

K-League leaders Jeonbuk Motors failed to secure first place as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Suwon Bluewings. It was a frustrating afternoon for Jeonbuk, especially as Suwon had Kwak Hee-Ju and Eduardo sent off.

The Brazilian striker gave Suwon the lead with 16 minutes remaining, side-footing the ball into an empty net, but Lee Dong-Gook headed home his 18th goal of the season from a corner to earn Jeonbuk a point.

In the day's remaining fixture, Daejeon Citizen won 2-1 at Gangwon.