Hyundai Oilbank
K League Classic
Season2015
Dates7 March – 29 November 2015
ChampionsJeonbuk Hyundai Motors
(4th title)
RelegatedBusan IPark
Daejeon Citizen
Champions LeagueJeonbuk Hyundai Motors
FC Seoul
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Pohang Steelers
Matches played228
Goals scored546 (2.39 per match)
Best PlayerLee Dong-gook
Top goalscorerKim Shin-wook
(18 goals)
Biggest home winJeju 5–0 Daejeon
(21 March 2015)
Biggest away winDaejeon 1–4 Seongnam
(4 April 2015)
Highest scoringJeju 4–3 Seongnam
(3 June 2015)
Jeju 3–4 Suwon
(17 June 2015)
Daejeon 3–4 Jeonbuk
(5 July 2015)
Pohang 3–4 Jeju
(8 July 2015)
Jeonnam 2–5 Ulsan
(25 October 2015)
Seoul 3–4 Suwon
(7 November 2015)
Longest winning run6 matches
Pohang Steelers
Longest unbeaten run15 matches
Pohang Steelers
Longest winless run17 matches
Daejeon Citizen
Longest losing run8 matches
Daejeon Citizen
Highest attendance39,328
Seoul 0–0 Suwon
(27 June 2015)
Lowest attendance628
Jeonnam 2–1 Gwangju
(7 November 2015)
Average attendance7,720
← 2014
2016 →

The 2015 K League Classic was the 33rd season of the top division of South Korean professional football, and the third season of the K League Classic.

Teams

2015 K League Classic is located in South Korea
Busan IPark
Jeonnam Dragons
FC Seoul
Incheon United
Jeju United
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Pohang Steelers
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Ulsan Hyundai
Daejeon Citizen
Gwangju FC
Locations of the 2015 K League Classic clubs

General information

Club City/Province Manager Owner(s) Other sponsor(s)
Busan IPark Busan South Korea Yoon Sung-hyo HDC Hyundai Development Company
Daejeon Citizen Daejeon South Korea Cho Jin-ho Daejeon Government
Gwangju FC Gwangju South Korea Nam Ki-il Gwangju Government
Incheon United Incheon South Korea Kim Do-hoon Incheon Government Shinhan Bank
Incheon International Airport
Jeju United Jeju South Korea Jo Sung-hwan SK Energy
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Jeonbuk South Korea Choi Kang-hee Hyundai Motor Company
Jeonnam Dragons Jeonnam South Korea Roh Sang-rae POSCO
Pohang Steelers Pohang, Gyeongbuk South Korea Hwang Sun-hong POSCO
Seongnam FC Seongnam, Gyeonggi South Korea Kim Hak-bum Seongnam Government
FC Seoul Seoul South Korea Choi Yong-soo GS Group
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Suwon, Gyeonggi South Korea Seo Jung-won Cheil Worldwide Samsung Electronics
Ulsan Hyundai Ulsan South Korea Yoon Jung-hwan Hyundai Heavy Industries

Stadiums

Busan IPark Daejeon Citizen Gwangju FC Incheon United Jeju United Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Busan Asiad Stadium Daejeon World Cup Stadium Gwangju World Cup Stadium Incheon Football Stadium Jeju World Cup Stadium Jeonju World Cup Stadium
Capacity: 53,864 Capacity: 41,295 Capacity: 44,118 Capacity: 20,891 Capacity: 35,657 Capacity: 42,477
Jeonnam Dragons Pohang Steelers Seongnam FC FC Seoul Suwon Samsung Bluewings Ulsan Hyundai
Gwangyang Football Stadium Pohang Steel Yard Tancheon Stadium Seoul World Cup Stadium Suwon World Cup Stadium Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium
Capacity: 20,009 Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 16,250 Capacity: 66,704 Capacity: 43,959 Capacity: 44,474

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing Manner Date Incoming Date Table
Jeonnam Dragons South Korea Ha Seok-ju Resigned 29 November 2014 South Korea Roh Sang-rae 29 November 2014 Pre-season
Ulsan Hyundai South Korea Cho Min-kook Sacked 1 December 2014 South Korea Yoon Jung-hwan 1 December 2014
Jeju United South Korea Park Kyung-hoon Resigned 3 December 2014 South Korea Jo Sung-hwan 12 December 2014
Incheon United South Korea Kim Bong-gil Sacked 19 December 2014 South Korea Kim Do-hoon 13 January 2015
Gwangju FC South Korea Nam Ki-il (caretaker) Promoted 4 January 2015 South Korea Nam Ki-il 4 January 2015
Daejeon Citizen South Korea Cho Jin-ho Resigned 21 May 2015 Canada Michael Kim (caretaker) 21 May 2015 12th
Daejeon Citizen Canada Michael Kim (caretaker) Resigned 26 May 2015 South Korea Choi Moon-sik 27 May 2015 12th
Busan IPark South Korea Yoon Sung-hyo Resigned 13 July 2015 Brazil Denis Iwamura (caretaker) 13 July 2015 11th
Busan IPark Brazil Denis Iwamura (caretaker) Caretaker 7 October 2015 South Korea Choi Young-jun 7 October 2015 11th

Foreign players

Restricting the number of foreign players strictly to four per team, including a slot for a player from AFC countries. A team could use four foreign players on the field each game including a least one player from the AFC country. Players name in bold indicates the player is registered during the mid-season transfer window.

As of 31 July 2015
Club Player 1 Player 2 Player 3 Asian player Former players
Busan IPark Brazil Bill Brazil Elias Brazil Weslley Brazil Bergson
Brazil Nilson
Daejeon Citizen Brazil Niltinho Brazil Rafinha Brazil Wanderson Carvalho Philippines Álvaro Silva Brazil Adriano
Brazil Ricardinho
Gwangju FC Brazil Cassiano Brazil Daniel Oliveira Brazil Fábio Neves Brazil Gilberto Fortunato
Incheon United Belgium Kevin Oris Croatia Matej Jonjić Japan Tomoki Wada
Jeju United Brazil Ciro Brazil Fernando Karanga Brazil Ricardo Lopes Australia Aleksandar Jovanović
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Brazil Leonardo Brazil Luiz Henrique Spain Urko Vera Australia Alex Wilkinson Brazil Edu
Brazil Eninho
Jeonnam Dragons Brazil Leandrinho Croatia Mislav Oršić North Macedonia Stevica Ristić
Pohang Steelers Brazil Tiago Alves Serbia Lazar Veselinović Brazil André Moritz
Seongnam FC Brazil Lucas Pajeu Colombia Javier Reina Brazil Jorginho
Brazil Ricardo Bueno
FC Seoul Brazil Adriano Colombia Mauricio Molina Spain Osmar Japan Yojiro Takahagi Brazil Éverton Santos
Suwon Samsung Bluewings Brazil Júnior Santos Bulgaria Iliyan Mitsanski Brazil Kaio Brazil Léo Itaperuna
Ulsan Hyundai Brazil Éverton Santos Croatia Ivan Kovačec Uzbekistan Server Djeparov Japan Chikashi Masuda Brazil Tartá
Montenegro Filip Kasalica

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (C) 38 22 7 9 57 39 +18 73 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 38 19 10 9 60 43 +17 67
3 Pohang Steelers 38 18 12 8 49 32 +17 66 Qualification for the Champions League playoff round
4 FC Seoul 38 17 11 10 52 44 +8 62 Qualification for the Champions League group stage[a]
5 Seongnam FC 38 15 15 8 41 33 +8 60
6 Jeju United 38 14 8 16 55 56 −1 50
7 Ulsan Hyundai 38 13 14 11 54 45 +9 53
8 Incheon United 38 13 12 13 35 32 +3 51
9 Jeonnam Dragons 38 12 13 13 46 51 −5 49
10 Gwangju FC 38 10 12 16 35 44 −9 42
11 Busan IPark (R) 38 5 11 22 30 55 −25 26 Qualification for the relegation playoffs
12 Daejeon Citizen (R) 38 4 7 27 32 72 −40 19 Relegation to the K League Challenge
Source: K League
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Wins.
(C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. ^ Qualified as champions of the FA Cup.

Positions by matchday

  Leaders
  Qualification for the Champions League
  Qualification for the relegation playoffs
  Relegation to the K League Challenge

Round 1–33

Team ╲ Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors123211111111111111111111111111111
Suwon Samsung Bluewings954334224222222222222222222222222
Pohang Steelers365685445544344433356455335553333
Seongnam FC11101097677875657910109767566443334444
FC Seoul11111110108991010781063355443644654445555
Jeju United776743562333436776888899998888876
Incheon United5991111101010985781010998675778776666667
Jeonnam Dragons778559656699687644534333567777788
Ulsan Hyundai1111223334857988810101010101010101010101010999
Gwangju FC53246788791010955567999987889999101010
Busan IPark3478911111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
Daejeon Citizen91212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212121212
Source: K League

Round 34–38

Team ╲ Round3435363738
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors11111
Suwon Samsung Bluewings23322
Pohang Steelers32233
FC Seoul44444
Seongnam FC55555
Jeju United66666
Ulsan Hyundai98887
Incheon United77778
Jeonnam Dragons89999
Gwangju FC1010101010
Busan IPark1111111111
Daejeon Citizen1212121212
Source: K League

Results

Matches 1–22

Teams play each other twice, once at home, once away.

Home \ Away BIP DJC GWJ ICU JJU JHM JND PHS SEN SEO SSB USH
Busan IPark — 1–0 2–3 1–2 1–3 1–2 0–2 1–2 0–1 0–1 1–1 1–0
Daejeon Citizen 0–0 — 0–2 1–2 2–2 3–4 2–3 0–2 1–4 1–2 1–2 1–1
Gwangju FC 0–1 1–2 — 1–0 1–0 2–3 3–2 0–0 0–0 1–1 0–2 1–2
Incheon United 3–1 2–0 2–2 — 1–0 0–0 1–2 1–1 0–1 1–1 1–1 1–1
Jeju United 0–0 5–0 2–1 0–0 — 0–3 3–2 1–0 4–3 2–4 3–4 2–1
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–1 2–1 1–1 1–0 1–0 — 2–2 1–0 2–0 1–2 2–0 2–1
Jeonnam Dragons 3–1 0–0 1–2 1–0 1–1 2–1 — 0–0 2–1 2–0 1–1 2–1
Pohang Steelers 1–2 2–1 2–1 0–2 3–4 0–0 4–1 — 2–2 2–1 0–1 2–4
Seongnam FC 1–0 3–1 1–1 0–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 0–2 — 1–1 1–3 1–0
FC Seoul 0–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 1–0 1–2 3–0 1–3 1–1 — 0–0 0–0
Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–1 1–2 0–1 2–1 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1 1–1 5–1 — 3–1
Ulsan Hyundai 1–1 4–1 2–0 1–1 2–0 1–2 0–0 2–2 0–1 2–0 1–1 —
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 23–33

Home \ Away BIP DJC GWJ ICU JJU JHM JND PHS SEN SEO SSB USH
Busan IPark — 2–1 — — 0–2 — 1–1 — — 2–4 2–2 2–2
Daejeon Citizen — — 0–0 — 2–4 — — 0–1 0–2 — — 0–0
Gwangju FC 0–0 — — — 0–1 1–2 0–0 — — — 2–4 —
Incheon United 2–1 2–1 1–0 — 1–0 — — 0–2 — — — 1–2
Jeju United — — — — — 3–2 — 0–1 — 2–1 2–4 2–2
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–0 3–1 — 0–1 — — 2–1 — — 3–0 2–1 —
Jeonnam Dragons — 1–1 — 0–2 3–1 — — 0–0 1–1 — 0–2 —
Pohang Steelers 2–0 — 0–0 — — 3–0 — — 2–1 — 0–0 —
Seongnam FC 1–0 — 2–1 1–0 1–1 0–1 — — — — — —
FC Seoul — 2–0 3–1 2–0 — — 3–2 0–0 0–1 — — —
Suwon Samsung Bluewings — 2–1 — 1–0 — — — — 0–1 0–3 — 3–1
Ulsan Hyundai — — 0–1 — — 2–0 3–2 1–1 0–0 1–2 — —
Source: K League
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Matches 34–38

After 33 matches, the league splits into two sections of six teams each, with teams playing every other team in their section once (either at home or away). The exact matches are determined upon the league table at the time of the split.

Relegation playoffs

The promotion-relegation playoffs were held between the winners of the 2015 K League Challenge playoffs and the 11th-placed club of the 2015 K League Classic. The winners on aggregate score after both matches earned entry into the 2016 K League Classic.

Suwon FC1–0Busan IPark
Jung Min-woo 85' Report
Suwon Sports Complex, Suwon
Attendance: 2,347
Referee: Lee Dong-jun
Busan IPark0–2Suwon FC
Report
Busan Gudeok Stadium, Busan
Attendance: 6,135
Referee: Woo Sang-il

Suwon FC won 3–0 on aggregate and were promoted to the K League Classic, while Busan IPark were relegated to the K League Challenge.

Player statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals
1 South Korea Kim Shin-wook Ulsan Hyundai 18
2 Brazil Adriano Daejeon Citizen
FC Seoul 		15
South Korea Hwang Ui-jo Seongnam FC
4 South Korea Lee Dong-gook Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 13
5 Brazil Júnior Santos Suwon Samsung Bluewings 12
South Korea Lee Jong-ho Jeonnam Dragons
North Macedonia Stevica Ristić Jeonnam Dragons
8 Brazil Edu Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 11
Brazil Ricardo Lopes Jeju United
10 South Korea Kwon Chang-hoon Suwon Samsung Bluewings 10
Brazil Leonardo Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Source:[1]

Top assist providers

Rank Player Club Assists
1 South Korea Yeom Ki-hun Suwon Samsung Bluewings 17
2 Brazil Ricardo Lopes Jeju United 11
Colombia Mauricio Molina FC Seoul
4 South Korea Kim Do-heon Seongnam FC 8
5 Croatia Mislav Oršić Jeonnam Dragons 7
South Korea Kim Tae-hwan Ulsan Hyundai
South Korea Yoon Bit-garam Jeju United
8 Croatia Ivan Kovačec Ulsan Hyundai 6
South Korea Song Jin-hyung Jeju United
South Korea Ju Se-jong Busan IPark

Source:[1]

Awards

Main awards

The 2015 K League Awards was held on 1 December 2015.

Award Winner Club
Most Valuable Player South Korea Lee Dong-gook Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Top goalscorer South Korea Kim Shin-wook Ulsan Hyundai
Top assist provider South Korea Yeom Ki-hun Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Young Player of the Year South Korea Lee Jae-sung Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
FANtastic Player South Korea Lee Dong-gook Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Manager of the Year South Korea Choi Kang-hee Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Special Award Spain Osmar FC Seoul
South Korea Shin Hwa-yong Pohang Steelers
Fair Play Award Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Source:[2]

Best XI

Position Winner Club
Goalkeeper South Korea Kwon Sun-tae Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Defenders South Korea Hong Chul Suwon Samsung Bluewings
Croatia Matej Jonjić Incheon United
South Korea Kim Kee-hee Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
South Korea Cha Du-ri FC Seoul
Midfielders South Korea Yeom Ki-hun Suwon Samsung Bluewings
South Korea Lee Jae-sung Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
South Korea Kwon Chang-hoon Suwon Samsung Bluewings
South Korea Song Jin-hyung Jeju United
Forwards South Korea Lee Dong-gook Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Brazil Adriano FC Seoul

Source:[2]

Player of the Round

Source:[citation needed]

Manager of the Month

Month Manager Club Division
March South Korea Nam Ki-il Gwangju FC K League Classic
April South Korea Choi Kang-hee Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors K League Classic
May South Korea Kim Hak-bum Seongnam FC K League Classic
June South Korea Park Hang-seo Sangju Sangmu K League Challenge
July South Korea Choi Kang-hee Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors K League Classic
August South Korea Kim Hak-bum Seongnam FC K League Classic
September South Korea Hwang Sun-hong Pohang Steelers K League Classic
October South Korea Lee Young-jin Daegu FC K League Challenge
November South Korea Cho Duck-je Suwon FC K League Challenge

Source:[citation needed]

Attendance

Attendance by club

Attendants who entered with free ticket are not counted.

Pos Team Total High Low Average Change
1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 330,856 31,192 4,928 17,413 +32.3%†
2 FC Seoul 326,269 39,328 4,267 17,172 +0.9%†
3 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 250,702 29,046 6,538 13,195 −32.7%†
4 Pohang Steelers 175,520 19,227 3,354 9,238 −5.7%†
5 Jeju United 117,754 20,013 1,011 6,542 −2.5%†
6 Ulsan Hyundai 119,309 18,031 1,524 6,279 −10.7%†
7 Seongnam FC 107,619 12,187 1,593 5,664 +50.8%†
8 Incheon United 97,250 10,704 1,623 4,863 +6.4%†
9 Jeonnam Dragons 82,407 12,608 628 4,337 +28.9%†
10 Busan IPark 63,440 9,123 1,187 3,339 +2.6%†
11 Daejeon Citizen 47,370 11,857 763 2,493 −22.0%†
12 Gwangju FC 41,567 3,117 1,062 2,188 +62.8%†
League total 1,760,063 39,328 628 7,720 −2.7%†

Updated to games played on 29 November 2015
Source: K League
Notes:
† Teams that played previous season in K League Challenge.

Top matches

Rank Date Home Score Away Venue Attendance Round Day of week
1 27 June 2015 FC Seoul 0–0 Suwon Samsung Bluewings Seoul World Cup Stadium 39,328 18 Saturday
2 14 March 2015 FC Seoul 1–2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Seoul World Cup Stadium 32,516 2 Saturday
3 26 July 2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings Jeonju World Cup Stadium 31,192 23 Sunday
4 2 May 2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–0 Suwon Samsung Bluewings Jeonju World Cup Stadium 30,410 9 Saturday
5 19 September 2015 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 0–3 FC Seoul Suwon World Cup Stadium 29,046 31 Saturday
6 21 November 2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–1 Seongnam FC Jeonju World Cup Stadium 28,460 37 Saturday
7 12 September 2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3–0 FC Seoul Jeonju World Cup Stadium 26,433 30 Saturday
8 18 April 2015 Suwon Samsung Bluewings 5–1 FC Seoul Suwon World Cup Stadium 26,250 7 Saturday
9 25 October 2015 FC Seoul 0–0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Seoul World Cup Stadium 24,262 35 Sunday
10 7 March 2015 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2–0 Seongnam FC Jeonju World Cup Stadium 23,810 1 Saturday

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Data center - Official records - Recording room - K League 1 records - Individual record table" (in Korean). K League Data Portal. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b [K리그][종합]전북 이동국, 통산 4번째 MVP (in Korean). Newsis. 1 December 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2021.

External links

K League seasons
2015 in South Korean football
2015 in Asian Football (AFC)
Categories