Defending champions eliminated early in natl. football tournament

Published : May 26, 2022 - 09:21 Updated : May 26, 2022 - 09:21

Daegu FC players celebrate their 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Daejeon Korail in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup football tournament at Daejeon World Cup Stadium's auxiliary field in Daejeon, 160 kilometers south of Seoul, on Wednesday, in this photo provided by the Korea Football Association. (Korea Football Association)

The defending champions Jeonnam Dragons have been sent home early from the top national football tournament.

Busan Transportation Corp., a third-tier semi-pro club playing out of the K3 League, stunned the K League 2's Jeonnam 5-4 in a penalty shootout in their round of 16 match at the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

Busan exacted revenge on Jeonnam after falling to the same club on penalties in the round of 16 a year ago.

Jeonnam then went on to become the first second division club to win the FA Cup, a tournament that brings together professional, semi-pro and college teams from across the nation. But Jeonnam's title defense couldn't get past the fourth round. No team has won back-to-back FA Cups since Suwon Samsung Bluewings in 2009-2010.

The runners-up from last year, Daegu FC of the K League 1, eked past Daejeon Korail, another K3 League side, 5-4 on penalties.

Elsewhere, Ulsan Hyundai FC, currently in first place in the K League 1, defeated the K League 2 club Gyeongnam FC 2-0. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the five-time defending K League 1 champions, defeated Ulsan Citizen of the K3 League 1-0.

There were three matches pitting K League 1 clubs against each other: Suwon Samsung Bluewings defeated Gangwon FC 2-0, Pohang Steelers beat Seongnam FC 2-1, and FC Seoul got past Jeju United 3-1.

In an all-K League 2 contest, Bucheon FC prevailed over Gwangju FC 2-1.

All four quarterfinal matches will kick off at 7 p.m. on June 29. It will be Jeonbuk vs. Suwon, Daegu FC vs. Pohang, Ulsan Hyundai FC vs. Bucheon and Busan Transportation Corp. vs. FC Seoul. (Yonhap)