Football: South Korea's K-League finally kicks off after coronavirus delay, with fans watching from afar
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The Jeonju World Cup Stadium was not filled with fans.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SUWON/SEOUL (REUTERS) - The 2020 K-League season started on Friday (May 8) with a match between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings played without spectators, after a delay of more than two months caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
The Jeonju World Cup Stadium, home turf of Jeonbuk, was not filled with fans but giant yellow and white cards saying "#CU SOON STAY STRONG" were placed on empty seats, while coaches and substitutes wore face masks.
Broadcasters from 10 countries, mostly in Asia and Europe, have bought rights for the season and the country's football association and the K-League live-streamed the match on Twitter and YouTube with English commentary.
Han Dong-min, a Bluewings fan who usually watches games in the stadium, was rooting for his team at a pub in Suwon, on the outskirts of Seoul.
"I was really happy to watch a soccer match even it was without fans," said the 22-year-old after his team's 1-0 defeat.
After a goal-less first half, Jeonbuk striker Lee Dong-gook scored in the 83rd minute to clinch victory for the defending champions.
He celebrated the goal with sign language meaning respect, joining the "Thanks To You Challenge" in South Korea to express gratitude to medical workers fighting hard to tackle the virus.
"I was disappointed as all soccer games around the world were suspended because of the coronavirus," said Lee Sang-hyup, a 24-year-old Bluewings fan in Suwon.
"But after watching today's game, I feel like my heart is beating after a long time."
South Korea, which has conducted widespread testing, intensive contact tracing and tracking apps to contain the spread of the virus, eased social distancing rules from May 6.
The K-League opener followed the start of South Korea's baseball league on May 5, which attracted fans of Major League Baseball (MLB) craving to watch games with the elite American league on hold due to the pandemic.
The K-League is Asia's oldest professional league, dating back to 1983, and teams will play 27 matches this season, down from 38 due to the delay caused by the coronavirus.
