The largest home opening game since the promotion and relegation system in 2013, the largest number of paid spectators since the 2018 paid attendance count, clouded by the effectiveness of 'EPL graduate' Lingard and 'master' coach Kim Ki-dong. Despite the support of over 50,000 spectators, the first Gyeongin derby of the Seoul-Incheon season ended in a 0-0 draw.
The professional soccer K-League was excited by the effect of English Premier League (EPL) midfielder Jesse Lingard.
51,670 spectators attended the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 second round between FC Seoul and Incheon United, which kicked off at 4 p.m. on the 10th at Seoul World Cup Stadium.
It is a new record for the largest number of spectators in the K-League since 2018, when the Korea Professional Football League began counting paid spectators.
The previous record was 45,007 people recorded at the game between Seoul and Daegu FC on April 8 last year (3-0 Seoul won). At the time, popular singer Lim Young-woong performed and a 'sister unit' in their 40s and 60s appeared, attracting a large crowd of spectators.
This time, it has greater meaning as pure soccer fans gather to see Lingard.
In addition, it is the largest audience for the K League 1 home opener since the introduction of the promotion and relegation system, exceeding 39,871 for Daegu FC's home opener on March 10, 2013.
In addition, it is a new record for the largest number of spectators for a single K League 1 game since the promotion and relegation system in 2013. The previous record was 47,899 people in the Super Match on June 18, 2016.
It is also the 4th largest attendance record for a single K-League game in history. The first place is 60,747 people for the match between Seoul and Seongnam (Seoul won 4-0) on May 5, 2010.
Seoul is the most popular club in the K League. Last season, the average number of spectators was 22,633, opening the era of an average of 20,000 spectators for the first time since counting paid spectators.
This season, new coach Kim Ki-dong, who led the Pohang Steelers to victory in the Korea Football Association FA Cup (now Korea Cup) last year, was appointed, and Lingard, a former England national team member, was appointed, attracting greater attention.
About 44,000 tickets were sold through online reservations alone, and traffic jams occurred near the stadium four hours before kickoff, showing great enthusiasm.
At the booth that sold only Lingard uniforms, there was a long line of nearly 50 meters.
Lingard, who made his debut as a substitute in the opening first round against Gwangju FC on the 2nd, started the game on the bench that day as well.
Lingard was brought on in the 30th minute of the first half, breaking expectations that he would be used in the second half.
The fans who filled the Seoul World Cup Stadium also cheered Lingard's appearance, and applauded and cheered him on when he created a threatening scene on the ground.
However, despite the cheers of over 50,000 spectators, the Gyeongin derby between Seoul and Incheon ended 0-0 with no goals scored.
Lingard attempted a decisive right-footed non-stop shot from the front inside the opponent's penalty box in the 37th minute of the second half, but missed his debut goal as the ball soared into the sky. 섯다