The K-League is the highest level of the Korean Football League and consists of 12 teams. Each season consists of 22 matches between rotating host and visiting teams and 4 tournaments, starting in March and ending in November. This article will introduce the rules and format of the K-League to help readers better understand this professional league.
1. Competition Rules
The rules of the K-League matches are basically the same as those of FIFA. Matches last 90 minutes and are divided into two halves of 45 minutes each. If the match is tied, it is counted as a draw.
Each team may field 11 players and 5 substitutes. If a team has made all 5 substitutions and one of its players is injured and cannot continue, there is no need to substitute with a substitute and the team may continue to play with 10 men.
Lineouts, corner kicks and free kicks are all common ways to play the game. The offside rule also applies to this league. Fouls committed by any player in a team during a match are penalized by a yellow card and a penalty kick. If the foul is more serious, a red card may also be awarded.
2. Season Format
Each season there will be 44 games played between 12 teams. All teams must rotate home and away games, with each team having 22 home games and 22 away games. The score of each game determines the team's ranking.
The format also includes the K League Cup and the Korean FA Cup. The K League Cup is played by 12 teams and competes in a single-leg knockout format, with the first and second round matches hosted by the lower-ranked team first. The final is played in two parts, with the home leg hosted by the lower-ranked team and the drop-out match hosted by the higher-ranked team.
The Korea FA Cup is a nationwide tournament featuring teams from the K-League and several other leagues. A total of 32 teams compete in the tournament and are eliminated round by round in a knockout format, with the eventual winning team taking home domestic honors.
The K-League is not only the main league of Korean soccer, but also an important part of Korean society and culture, attracting thousands of fans to matches each season. Understanding the rules and season format of the K-League can help viewers gain a better understanding of the sport, as well as increase the enthusiasm of Korean soccer fans for the league.
