Bluewings had won all seven of its previous matches at the Suwon World Cup Stadium this season but it fell behind to Lee Jae-sung's 10th-minute strike.

Australian Eddy Bosnar levelled proceedings eight minutes later but it was not until the 89th minute when Everton scored to ensure the host moved back to the summit in place of FC Seoul, who beat Gwangju on Saturday

Jeonbuk Motors moved into fourth - five points behind the league leader - after a comprehensive 3-0 win at Sangju Sangmu Phoenix.

Eninho opened the scoring in the sixth minute, Kim Jung-woo scored a second in the 43rd minute before adding a penalty three minutes from time.

Struggler Gyeongnam went three points clear of bottom side Daejeon Citizen after a 2-0 win over Seongnam Chunma thanks to second-half goals from Rocha Caique and Jo Jae-cheol.

In the other game, goals from Derek Asamoah and Ko Mu-yeul ensured Pohang Steelers claimed a 2-1 victory at Gangwon FC, for whom Jung Sung-min scored a consolation.

First-half goals from Dejan Damjanovic and Mauricio Molina were enough for the visitor to seal the three points despite Lee Han-saem's second-half strike for Gwangju.

The win nudges Seoul two points ahead of Suwon Bluewings, which will return to the summit if it beats Ulsan Hyundai on Sunday.

Jeju United finished the day in third, a point behind Suwon, after it was beaten 1-0 away to Chunnam Dragons. Son Seol-min scored the only goal after 16 minutes.

The day's other games were drawn, with Daegu's Song Je-heon cancelling out Kim Hyeung-bum's opener to earn a point against Daejeon Citizen while Incheon United and Busan I'park shared a scoreless stalemate.

Kim Dong-sub put the visitor in front with a 37th-minute penalty but Everton levelled two minutes after the break.

A Yoo Jong-hyun own goal in the 62nd minute put Suwon in front before goals from Park Hyun-beom (69) and Cho Young-tae (79) sealed the points.

Jair scored a hat-trick as Jeju United also hit four in a 4-2 home win over Gangwon FC to go second, one point behind the leader.

Jair put Jeju in front in the 10th minute and restored its lead in the 37th minute after Wesley's 33rd-minute equaliser.

Kim Eun-jung levelled for a second time for Gangwon a minute later with a penalty, but Junior Santos made it 3-2 five minutes after the break and Jair completed his treble from the spot in the 83rd minute.

In the day's other game, Busan I'park beat Daegu FC thanks to a goal late in the first half from Park Jong-Woo and an own goal late in the second from Hwang Il-soo.

The game looked to be heading for a goalless draw, which would have left Seoul one point behind Ulsan Hyundai, but Dejan Damjanovic claimed the winner with only seconds remaining.

Chunnam Dragons defeated Sangju Sangmu Phoenix 2-1.

Kim Shin-young and Ju Sung-hwan put the visitor two clear with second-half efforts, with Lee Sung-jae pulling one back with nine minutes remaining.

Motors, who beat Ulsan in the play-off final to win last year's title, sped into a two-goal lead through Eninho (12') and Hugo Droguett (16').

Ulsan halved the deficit through Lee Keun-ho seven minutes from time but it was unable to avoid only its second defeat in the first 12 games of the 2012 campaign.

Ulsan leads the league by one point from Suwon Bluewings, who plays on Sunday.

Daejeon Citizen remains bottom of the league after a goalless draw at Pohang Steelers, with second-bottom Incheon United going down 1-0 away to Seongnam Chunma, as Han Sang-woon netted the only goal in the 90th minute.

Kevin Oris scored twice for Daejeon, including a 90th-minute winner, after Dzenan Radoncic had levelled from the spot in the 35th minute.

Second-placed Jeju United missed the chance to take over at the top as it was held 1-1 at Seongnam Chunma.

Song Jin-hyung put Jeju ahead in the 78th minute only for Lim Jong-eun to equalise two minutes later.

FC Seoul moved level on points with Jeju with a 2-1 win at home to Pohang Steelers.

Choi Tae-uk put the host ahead in the first minute and Kim Tae-hwan got the winner 18 minutes from time after Derek Asamoah's equaliser early in the second half.

Jeonbuk Motors scored twice in the last minute to rescue a 3-3 draw at Incheon United.

Eninho, with his second of the game, and Lee Dong-gook scored at the death to earn the visitor a point.

Moon Sang-yun put Incheon ahead after three minutes and after Eninho's leveller goals from Park Joon-tae and Seol Ki-hyeon had put them in control.

Lee Sung-jae, Kim Cheol-ho and Lee Sung-jae scored in the second half to earn Sangju Sangmu Phoenix a 3-0 win at Gangwon FC.

Busan I'Park beat Gyeongnam 1-0 thanks to Bang Seung-hwan's goal, while Gwangju FC and Daegu FC drew 2-2.

Gwangju came from 2-0 down to draw, goals from Park Gi-dong and Bogdan Milic cancelling out efforts from Kim Ki-hee and Lee Joon-hee.

Ulsan trailed to a brace by Dejan Damjanovic (10 and 53) but secured a share of the spoils thanks to strikes by Ko Seul-ki (56) and Luis Maranhao (78).

The point means Ulsan stays in third place, two points clear of Seoul in fourth.

The Brazilian struck in injury-time to leave his side three points behind leader Suwon Bluewings with a game in hand at this early stage of the season.

There was even more late drama as Chunnam Dragons completed a 3-1 home win over Daejeon Citizen.

The host had led though Hong Jin-gi's 12th-minute goal but Kim Hyeung-bum levelled with 15 minutes remaining.

Yoon Suk-young restored Chunnam's lead in the 90th minute and there was still time for Shim Dong-woon to grab a third.

Everton Santos fired a hat-trick as Seongnam Chunwa beat Gwangju FC 4-2. Bogdan Milic had opened the scoring for Gwangju and drawn it level at 2-2 but the Brazilian netted his third before Park Se-young rounded off the scoring.

Hwang Jin-Sung's fourth-minute goal earned Pohang Steelers a 1-0 win over Jeonbuk Motors.

Second-placed Jeju United drew with third-placed FC Seoul in the South Korea capital, with Kim Hyun-sung opening the scoring for the host (77) before Junior Santos' goal in the final seconds rescued a point for the islander.

Busan I'Park moved ahead of Gangwon FC by beating it 1-0, with Choi Jin-ho grabbing the only goal in the 26th minute to take it into seventh.

It is one place above Daegu FC, which was a 2-1 home winner over Sangju Sangmu Phoenix. Leandrinho gave the host a 39th-minute lead and Matheus netted the winner (69) after Kim Cheol-ho levelled for the visitor.

Lee Kyung-Hwan, 24, was on Saturday found critically injured in front of an apartment building in the city of Incheon, west of Seoul, after apparently jumping off the building, a city police official told AFP.

He was pronounced dead on his way to hospital, he said.

The former midfielder played from 2009 to 2011 for Daejeon Citizen and Suwon Samsung Bluewings of the K-League until he received a life ban last year after admitting involvement in widespread match fixing.

Prosecutors in 2011 charged 57 people - 46 current and former players and 11 criminal gang members and bookmakers - for fixing the results of 15 matches in 2010.

The players were charged with fixing games after taking bribes from betting rings. All of them, including Lee, were banned for life by the country's football association. Lee received three years' probation in court.

Last October, Lee Soo-Cheol, a former coach of the military football club was found dead in an apparent suicide after being sentenced to two years in prison with probation for his involvement in match fixing.

In May, Jeong Jong-Kwan, a 29-year-old midfielder for a third-division professional league team, committed suicide at a hotel in Seoul while being investigated over the scandal.

Lee Hyun-seung gave Chunnam the lead after 29 minutes and Lee Jong-ho restored the advantage on 82 minutes, five minutes after Gwangju had levelled through Jo Woo-jin.

Joao Paulo grabbed Gwangju's equaliser in the final minute as his side stayed in sixth place after eight games, while Chunnam climbs to fourth from bottom.

Gangwon is up to eighth after a 2-0 win at Gyeongnam, Kim Eun-jung (29 pen) and Jung Sung-min with the goals, while Sangju Sangmu Phoenix was a 1-0 winner over Incheon United thanks to Kim Jae-sung's 32nd-minute effort.

Striker Ristic converted from the spot in the 88th minute to earn a 1-0 home victory over Daegu FC in the eighth round of this season's matches.

Jeju United was given a stiff test by Pohang Steelers before clinching a 3-2 away win.

Santos put Jeju ahead after 22 minutes, before Ghanaian striker Derek Asamoah equalised six minutes later.

Brazilian frontman Jair restored Jeju's lead in the 43rd minute and Santos made it 3-1 at half-time.

Pohang narrowed the lead when Ianis Zicu scored after 58 minutes, but the home side could not find an equaliser.

While Jeonbuk Motors and Busan I'park played out a goalless draw, bottom-of-the-table Daejeon Citizen crashed to its seventh defeat of the campaign, 1-0 at home to Seongnam Chunma for whom Chang-Hoon Lee scored after 45 minutes.

Dzenan Radoncic opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Lee Yong-Rae put the result beyond doubt with a second goal eight minutes from time.

Bluewings climbed above Jeju United, which was held to a goalless home draw by fourth-placed Ulsan Hyundai.

Third-placed FC Seoul - level on points with Jeju and Ulsan Hyundai - could only manage a 0-0 draw at Busan I'park.

Eninho's strike 19 minutes from time proved decisive as Jeonbuk Motors scraped a 1-0 triumph at Gangwon FC to climb to fifth.

Daejeon Citizen picked up its first points of the season after six straight defeats with a 2-1 victory at Sangju Sangmu Phoenix.

First-half goals from Kim Chang-hoon and Yuta Baba set the bottom side on its way, with Ryu Chang-Hyun getting a consolation for the host after the interval.

Elsewhere, Gyeongnam edged an entertaining encounter 3-2 at Daegu FC.

Wilmar Gil set the visitor on its way after 36 minutes and, although Ho-Jung Choi looked to have ensured the teams would go in at the break level when he equalised seven minutes later, Ki-Hee Kim's own goal on the stroke of half-time put Gyeongnam back in front.

Caique stretched the lead with an 84th-minute penalty, with Je Heon Song's 90th-minute spot-kick coming too late to prevent the away team taking all three points.

Finally, Seon Kim equalised six minutes before half-time to secure a 1-1 draw for Gwangju FC at second-bottom Incheon United after Jong-Hwan Choi had put the home team ahead, and Vladimir Jovancic's 53rd-minute goal earned Seongnam Chunma a 1-0 win at Chunnam Dragons.

Dejan Damjanovic struck at the end of each half to earn FC Seoul a 2-0 home win over Sangju Sangmu Phoenix while a 67th-minute goal from Kim Shin-wook was enough to give Ulsan Hyundai the points at previously undefeated Gwangju FC.

Those wins means four sides are now level on points at the summit, with Jeju United and Suwon Bluewings making up the quartet.

In fifth spot on 11 points is Pohang Steelers after its 2-0 win at Seongnam Chunma, with Derek Asamoah (50) and Ianis Zicu (82) netting the goals.

One point further back in seventh is defending champion Jeonbuk Motors, which also picked up a 2-0 away triumph as goals from Kim Jung-woo 34, Lee Dong-gook 63 helped it see off Gyeongnam.

Second-half goals from Brazilian duo Robert (64) and Jair (86) secured a win that moved Jeju level with Suwon Bluewings which could only draw 1-1 at Chunnam Dragons.

Dzenan Radoncic grabbed the equaliser for the visitor on 52 minutes after Lee Jong-ho's seventh-minute opener.

Daejeon Citizen remains pointless after six games as a late Jose Fagner goal snatched the three points for Busan I'park.

Kim Eun-jung scored twice as Gangwon FC beat Incheon United 2-1. Kim netted a 20th-minute penalty but his 80th-minute strike was the match-winner after Seol Ki-hyeon (46) equalised.

First-half goals from Hyun-Beom Park and Stevica Ristic proved the difference between the sides, lifting the Bluewings one point ahead of Gwangju FC after five games.

Gwangju was held to a 1-1 draw by Gangwon FC, and will consider itself fortunate to have grabbed even the one point after Myung-Jung Kim's 42nd-minute strike looked to have set the visitor on course for the win until Bogdan Milic's last-gasp equaliser.

Elsewhere, Jeju United's 3-0 triumph at bottom-of-the-table Daejeon Citizen moved it up to third, Dong-hyun Seo on target either side of a Junior Santos penalty.

Finally, Incheon United and Gyeongnam battled out a goalless draw which saw both clubs advance to four points.

The visitor was trailing to goals by Luiz Henrique (21) and Lee Dong-gook (48 pen) but pulled one back with 16 minutes remaining through Song Je-heon.

Song's second drew the sides level after 85 minutes and the comeback was completed in injury-time when Kim Kun-hoan fired home.

In the day's other game, Ulsan Hyundai and Sangju Sangmu Phoenix drew 2-2.

Sangju led through goals by Kim Jae-sung (38) and Ko Cha-won (45) but strikes by Kang Min-Soo (52) and Maranhao (57pen) ensured it ended honours even.

The league said Incheon United would be fined five million won ($4250) and ordered to play a home game at a neutral venue.

Daejeon Citizen will have to pay 10 million won ($8500), with its fans banned from two future fixtures.

The fines come after two Citizen fans jumped onto the pitch and beat up United's mascot, which resembles a crane bird, after United beat Citizen 2-1 during a game at the Incheon ground.

A fist fight broke out between rival supporters in the stands while some fans let off fireworks.

The two men who beat up the mascot were banned from attending all domestic games at Daejeon.

Citizen fans accused the mascot of gesticulating in an offensive manner in front of them but United denied this.

"What the mascot did was a common routine in every match," a United official told the Korea Times.

United, in a statement on their official website, promised to build higher guardrails in front of seating if violence breaks out again.

Some fans urged United to build metal fences around the pitch. But the club coach Huh Jung-Moo said a change in the mindset of fans is more important.

Cho Chan-ho scored the winner in the 30th minute to earn Pohang its second win in five games this season.

Busan I'park scored a minute from time to win 1-0 at Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to pick up its first victory of the campaign.

Kim Chang-soo's goal settled the game.

Mauricio Molina scored the winner in injury-time to complete a turnaround after Ha Dae-song (27) cancelled out Lee Dong-gook's third-minute opener.

Defeat ended a forgettable week for Jeonbuk after it suffered a 5-1 Asian Champions League defeat at Kashiwa Reysol.

Ulsan Hyundai dropped its first points of the new season as Matheus' 12th-minute goal secured a 1-0 for Daegu FC.

Pohang Steelers and Seongnam Chunma claimed their first wins away to Sangju Sangmu Phoenix and Gangwon FC respectively.

Romania forward Ianis Zicu grabbed Pohang's winner in stoppage-time after Cho Chan-ho (60) cancelled out the opener from Ryu Chang-hyun (45)

Everton Santos struck twice (25, 37) to set up Seongnam Chunma's win as Gangwon FC could only reply through Yusuke Shimada (57).

Kim Su-beom gave the visitor a 10th-minute lead but Lim Sang-hyub cancelled it out seven minutes into the second half. However, Gwangju claimed its third win from four games as Brazilian forward Joao Paulo netted his third league goal of the season after 65 minutes.

Suwon, who started the day with a 100% record from its opening three games, lost 2-1 away to Jeju United. The Bluewings took a 28th-minute lead through Everton, only for fellow Brazilian Robert to draw Jeju level (56) before Seo Dong-hyun's last-gasp goal made it two home wins from two for the islanders, who are now fifth.

Chunnam Dragons claimed its first win of the season with a 3-1 home victory over Gyeongnam. All four goals came in the second half as Lee Jong-ho (55), Son Seol-min (81) and Shim Dong-woon (88) ensured the points for the Dragons before Jo Jae-cheol scored a late consolation for the visitors.

Incheon United, who had lost its opening three games, was a 2-1 winner at home to Daejeon Citizen as former Reading and Wolves forward Seol Ki-hyeon scored a second-half brace (54 and 61, penalty). Heo Beom-san pulled one back for Daejeon in the 67th minute.

Seoul beat Daejeon Citizen 2-0 thanks to a second-half brace from Mauricio Molina.

Gwangju FC scored twice in the dying minutes to come from behind and beat Jeju United 3-2.

Kim Dong-sub put Gwangju in front after just three minutes, but a goal either side of half-time from Bae Il-hwan turned the game around.

Jeju looked set for victory until Joao Paulo's 88th-minute penalty levelled the scores and Adriano Chuva won it at the death for the host.

In the day's other game, Lee Jin-ho's first-half goal earned Daegu FC a 1-0 win over Incheon United.

Dzenan Radoncic's double on 29 and 76 minutes sent the Bluewings on their way before Ha Tae-kyun sealed the triumph.

The Bluewings, who are yet to concede a goal, moved above Ulsan Hyundai which has also won three from three to start the season.

New signing Ianis Zicu struck a hat-trick to snatch a first win for Pohang Steelers 3-2 against Busan I'Park.

The Romania forward struck the winner, and his treble, with a minute left after also finding the net on 10 and 39 minutes. Busan had replied through Kim Han-yun (42) and Lee Jin-woo (70).

Sangju Sangmu Phoenix won another five-goal thriller at Gyeongnam 3-2.

After Kim In-han (12) opened the scoring, Sangju raced into a 3-1 lead thanks to three goals in 18 minutes around half-time.

Yoo Hyun-goo (41), Kim Hyo-il (56) and Ko Cha-won (59) grabbed the goals before Rocha Caique's 86th-minute consolation for Gyeongnam.

Third-placed Jeonbuk Motors were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Chunnam Dragons with Ahn Jae-joon (31) cancelling out Lee Dong-gook's 17th-minute penalty for the host.

Hugo Droguett's strike four minutes from time ensured they remain unbeaten after three matches played so far.

Suwon Bluewings and Ulsan Hyundai both have a game in hand on the leader, and made it two wins from two to sit a point off the top.

Goals in the 31st and 81st minutes from Dzenan Radoncic helped Suwon claim a 2-0 win at Incheon United.

Ulsan Hyundai was a 2-1 winner over Gyeongnam with Kwak Tae-hwi (43) and Maranhao (67) on target for the home side.

Choi Young-jun hit a later reply for Gyeongnam.

Seongnam Chunma picked up its first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at home to Sangju Sangmu Phoenix.

Cha Won-ko gave Sangju a 52nd-minute lead but Vladimir Jovancic rescued a result with a last-minute equaliser.

Gwangju also played out a 1-1 draw at home to Pohang Steelers, Eun Seon-kim's early goal cancelled out by Ianis Zicu's strike for the visitor just after the half-hour.

Bang Seung-hwan's goal five minutes before the break gave Busan the lead but Kim's own goal in the 58th minute ensured the game finished level and kept Jeju above Seoul and Gangwon on goals scored, with both those sides winning.

A second-half double from Kim Eun-jung (66 and 76) earned Gangwon a 2-0 home win over Daegu, with Kim's second goal coming from the penalty spot and taking it on to four points from two games.

Seoul also won 2-0, at home to Chunnam Dragons, as Dejan Damjanovic (four) and Mauricio Molina (74) were on target for the capital side.

The home side, which finished in mid-table last term, opened the scoring through Lee Yong-rae after 34 minutes with Rocha Caique doubling the advantage midway through the second half. Kim In-han completed a comprehensive win with 20 minutes to go.

Jeju United beat Incheon United 3-1 with goals from Bae Il-hwan, Junior Santos and Jair. Kim Tae-youn grabbed a last-minute consolation for the visitor.

Everton Cardoso netted the only goal as Suwon Bluewings beat Busan I'Park while a late goal from Joao Paulo helped Gwangju to a 1-0 win at Sangju Sangmu Phoenix.

Chunnam Dragons and Gangwon drew 0-0 and Daegu and FC Seoul finished 1-1.

Kang Yong put Daegu ahead after 15 minutes but Mauricio Molina levelled 19 minutes into the second half.

Lee scored in the 14th and 18th minutes to put the host in control, but Everton Santos netted either side of the break to bring Seongnam level.

Eninho then struck eight minutes from time to earn Jeonbuk the win.

Ulsan Hyundai also started on a winning note as Kang Min-soo's goal on the stroke of half-time earned it a 1-0 success at Pohang Steelers.

The changes are intended to make the league stronger than Japan's J-League.

South Korean football clubs have been by far the most successful in Asian competitions in recent years but, in terms of organisation and professionalism, the league has fallen behind.

The problems were exposed last year when more than 60 players and coaches, past and present, were indicted in a massive match-fixing scandal.

Relegation will take place in 2012 for the first time as the league enters its 30th season.

"The match-fixing problem is a part of it but we want to take the league and the football system as a whole to the next level," the K-League's deputy general manager Kwon Sung-jin told Associated Press.

Of the 16 teams starting the season in March, two will be relegated to a newly organised second tier.

One will be Sangju Sangmu, after the Asian Football Confederation said the national army club - in which players can complete their two-year military service - should not be in the top tier.

Two more will be relegated the following season to reduce the top flight to 12 teams. Following that, there will be annual promotion and relegation between the two tiers.

The Asian Football Confederation had warned South Korea that the lack of relegation and promotion could result in a reduction in the country's allocation of Asian Champions League places.

Still, the introduction of relegation had some Koreans worried, arguing that the nature of club ownership in the country - most teams are owned by a single major corporation - meant relegation could imperil club futures if corporations withdrew their support.

In another reform, the K-League has adopted the Scottish model for the season: after all teams play each other home and away, teams from the top half and bottom half will form separate groups that will play each other twice again. The winner of the top group is the champion, and the bottom teams in the lower group will be relegated.

Authorities are hopeful the changes will help boost attendances, which have plateaued to average around the 12,000 mark for a number of years.

The 21-year-old, who has made 13 appearances for the national team, is regarded as one of the brightest stars in the K-League.

Gyeongnam is believed to have received a fee in the region of £1.28 million ($1.93 million) for his services.

"We have signed Yoon Bitgaram to be part of our challenge to win the K-League and the 2012 AFC Champions League," a statement from Seongnam read.

"Naturally, he will strengthen the team and help us increase our fan base."

Yoon, who captained South Korea's team at the 2007 Under-17 FIFA World Cup and subsequently spent time training with Blackburn Rovers, played 61 games for Gyeongnam.

In two seasons at the club, he scored 17 goals and recorded 14 assists. Such form led to him being named as the K-League's Rookie of the Year in 2010 and he made the league's best XI in 2011.

Seongnam has been drawn in Group G of the 2012 AFC Champions League and will face China's Tianjin Teda, Central Coast Mariners of Australia and Japan's Nagoya Grampus.

The 29-year-old had been a free agent after ending the season with Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, and was a reported target for several other K-League clubs including Suwon Bluewings and Ulsan Horang-i.

"It is an honour for me to play for the champions," said the 29-year-old, who has won 66 caps and helped his country reach the second round at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. "I will do my best to help Jeonbuk win the title once more."

Kim scored 15 goals in the 2011 K-League while on military duty with Sangju Sangmu and is one of the biggest stars in the country.

He will play in the AFC Champions League for the 2011 runner-up against the Chinese, Japanese and Thai champions - Guangzhou Evergrande, Kashiwa Reysol and PEA Buriram, respectively.

The 25-year-old has signed a three-year contract with K-League club Chunnam Dragons, which should help ease some of the financial pressures on the Mariners.

Although saddened to be leaving his hometown club, Simon, an East Gosford Rams junior, said the opportunity to play abroad combined with the Dragons offer was simply too good to refuse.

“It has always been a goal of mine to play overseas and this is an opportunity for me to take the next step in my career,” Simon said.

“I’ve had a lot of great memories at the Mariners. I’ve loved playing for the club and I’ve loved playing for the fans.”

“Since the start of the A-League the fans have been great to me and I can’t thank them enough. Hopefully I’ll get to play for them again when my time overseas comes to an end.”

Mariners chairman Peter Turnbull said his club could not match the lucrative offer for Simon, understood to be around $400,000 a season.

"I don't think any A-League club is able to, under the current financial model, compete with the big overseas clubs," Turnbull said.

"This is an opportunity for Matt to set himself up for life with a three-year contract and a salary to match that opportunity."

Simon confirmed the deal was good for the club's ailing coffers.

"There Was a fee paid, it wasn’t a free transfer, so they did get some compensation so I think that helped them make their decision," he told Fox Sports News.

Central Coast coach Graham Arnold believes Simon will one day return to the Gosford-based club.

"I think you will see him back here one day," Arnold said.

"He came here as an amateur and has spent the last five years performing in the first team exceptionally well.

"I had the privilege of working with Matt in the Olympic team. Not only is he, in my view, a hell of a good footballer, he's a great guy, he's a great club man and I don't think there's anyone that deserves this more than Matty Simon."

The 25-year-old had a whirlwind 48 hours from when the offer was made to securing a release from the Mariners.

"It is a little bit blurry at the moment ... I fly out on Thursday," he said.

"I'm really grateful to the club, and how easy they made it for me in my decision to go.

"It was too good (an offer) to turn down. The only thing I'm sad about is leaving the boys at this great time."

Arnold is looking to get full value from Simon in his final two A-League games prior to departure.

"Matty has guaranteed me six points," Arnold quipped.

The Mariners are planning a farewell for Simon at the Melbourne Victory match on Wednesday, but it's this weekend's clash with Gold Coast United that Arnold has in his sights.

"I think they are one of the most unpredictable teams to play," he said.

"They are a difficult team to beat and have become very dangerous on the counter."

Arnold will be without defensive midfielder Rostyn Griffiths, who missed last week's Perth match with a hip injury.

"(John) Hutch (Hutchinson) did a fantastic job last week against Perth Glory," Arnold said.

Bosnar, who scored eight goals in 47 games form Shimizu S-Pulse during the past two season, confirmed his exit from J-League outfit on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old received a number of offers from Korean clubs but appears set to join a club he refers to as 'massive'.

Suwon is a two-times Asian champion, four-times K-League title winner and finished fourth in the 2011 Korean top flight.

"If the move goes ahead I think it gives me a good chance of getting back in the Socceroos picture," Bosnar said.

"The facilities at Suwon are better than anything I have seen in Japan and it would give me a chance to play at a higher level.

"This could be a good deal for me and Shimizu."

But first Bosnar is on his way to Croatia to marry his long-time partner.

The 32-year-old, whose side was also runner-up in the Asian Champions League, scooped 86 of 115 media votes with FC Seoul forward Dejan Damjanovic a distant second on 14 votes.

Lee was also the MVP in 2009. He and Shin Tae-Yong are the only players to have won the award more than once.

Lee netted 16 goals to finish second in the scoring charts.

"I am very pleased and thankful for this big award," Lee told Yonhap news agency. "I think this prize is for the rest of my team. We've shed so much sweat together all year to try to win the league championship."

It is a second title for the 2011 AFC Champions League runner-up, who followed up its 2-1 win at Ulsan in the first leg of the final of the playoff series on Wednesday by winning by the same scoreline at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Jeonbuk had a chance to take control after 20 minutes after Lee Dong-guk was brought down in the area, but the former Middlesbrough marksman hit his penalty straight at goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang.

Ulsan broke the deadlock after 56 minutes as Seol Ki-hyeon fired home from the edge of the six-yard area but, just three minutes later, Choi Chul-soon was bundled over in the box and Eninho stepped up to put Jeonbuk level on the day and back in front on aggregate.

Midway through the half, just after Ulsan's striker Lucio had seen a header hit the inside of the post and bounce into the grateful arms of Kim Min-shik in the Jeonbuk goal, the host sealed the trophy for the second time in three years.

Luiz Henrique burst free and with just the goalkeeper to beat, fired an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net leaving Ulsan with too much to do.

"I think that with this title we have become a big club," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.

"We will do our best next year to win the title once again."

"Ulsan gave us a very tough game and I want to applaud them. To win the title has been very difficult."

Two goals from Eninho at a wet Ulsan World Cup Stadium gave the AFC Champions League runner-up a crucial advantage heading into Sunday's second leg at home.

The Brazilian opened the scoring from the spot seven minutes into the second half. It was his delightful back-heel that freed Lee Dong-gook in the area only for Lee Jae-sung to bring down the former Middlesbrough marksman.

Kwak Tae-hwi equalised for Ulsan 10 minutes later. The Korea Republic international fired home a fierce free-kick that left Kim Min-sik stranded.

With 12 minutes remaining, Eninho restored Jeonbuk's lead. Pouncing on a weak defensive header just inside the area, he fired an unstoppable shot into the top corner of the Ulsan goal.

Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee was pleased with the result but insisted the job was far from done.

"It was a tough game away from home but as we had analysed the opposition well, we were able to get a good result," he said.

"Of course we have the advantage at home on Sunday but nobody knows what will happen and we will do our best to prepare for Sunday's match and get the win. We have to stay focused."

Ulsan boss Kim Ho-gon was happy with the effort shown by his players after four games in 10 days.

"It was a tough situation for us but they gave their all and showed a strong will to win. It was disappointing to lose at home but we will do all we can to win on Sunday," he said.

The Tigers, who finished sixth in the regular season, now face the number one team Jeonbuk Motors in a home and away final with the K-League title at stake.

Pohang finished second in the table and playing in front of its own fans at the Steelyard, only have itself to blame after missing two first-half penalties.

The Steelers' first chance to take the lead from the spot came after eight minutes when Koh Moo-yeol was adjudged to have been brought down in the area. However, Brazilian striker Mota slipped as he took the kick and goalkeeper Kim Sung-kyu, in the team for the suspended Kim Young-kwang, pushed the ball around the post.

Midway through the half, Pohang was given another opportunity when Kim Hyung-il was fouled in the box. This time Hwang Jin-sung fired his spot-kick straight at the keeper.

Clear-cut chances from open play were few and far between but Ulsan, who has already eliminated FC Seoul and Suwon Bluewings in the play-off rounds, got its nose in front after 72 minutes, almost inevitably with a penalty.

Mota pushed Seol Ki-hyeon and the former Reading and Fulham attacker made no mistake from the spot.

"It was another tough game for us," said Ulsan coach Kim Ho-gon. "We held our nerve when it mattered and got ahead at an important time. Once again, I am grateful to the players for their efforts but now we have to prepare to face Jeonbuk."

On a freezing evening at Suwon World Stadium, Ulsan prevailed 3-1 on penalties to also clinch a place in next year's AFC Champions League after 120 minutes of action ended 1-1.

Ulsan will now take on Pohang Steelers in the penultimate round, with the winner progressing to the final to meet Jeonbuk Motors.

The visitor took the lead midway through the first half when Lee Jae-sung squared the ball to Kim Shin-wook inside the area for the striker to fire past Jung Sung-ryong from close range.

Suwon had to wait until seven minutes from the end to draw level. Goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang was adjudged to fouled Oh Jang-eun inside the area and Croatian defender Mato Neretljak stroked the spot-kick home.

Both teams had chances in extra-time but neither could conjure a winning goal as the game went to penalties.

Seol Ki-hyeon hit the crossbar with the first kick for Ulsan but subsequent misses from Yeom Ki-hun, Yang Sang-min and Choi Sung-hwan gave the Tigers a place in the next round.

"It was a tough game as we expected but the players gave their all," Ulsan coach Kim Ho-gon said.

"We held our nerve and fought until the end and now we have to prepare for the next game which will be just as hard."

The only goal of the game came in first-half injury time when Ha nodded home a Yeom Ki-hun free-kick from the left.

Busan, who finished fifth in the league, had chances and Yang Dong-hyun wasted the best opportunity with only minutes remaining as he blasted over with just Jung Sung-ryong to beat.

Suwon now face Ulsan Horangi on Wednesday. The winner of that match will not only progress to take on Pohang Steelers in the penultimate round but will qualify for next year's Asian Champions League.

The victor of the Pohang match will then face Jeonbuk Motors, who ended the regular season on top of the table, in the final.

"It was a cold day and a tough game," said Suwon coach Yoon Sung-hyo.

"We now have to prepare for the Ulsan game and we will work hard because Ulsan are a good team. We need to keep fighting until the last game."

Busan coach An Ik-soo felt his side should have been awarded a penalty in the second-half but promised that Busan would bounce back in 2012.

"We have improved since the start of the season but we now have to think about showing what we can do next season," he said.

Pereira, formerly an assistant with Brazil's Under-23 team, arrived in South Korea on Tuesday to take up his new position and replace Lee Yong-jin, who was fired last week after Daegu finished 12th in the K-League.

"I am here for the challenge," the 51 year-old told reporters at Incheon International Airport. "I am looking forward to it.

"After receiving the offer from Daegu, I tried to do as much research as possible but there was not much information about the team. So I am looking forward to meeting the players and getting started."

Chunnam, meanwhile, will not be looking for a new coach after persuading Jung to stay on at the club. Jung resigned after Chunnam finished seventh, just missing out on a play-off spot.

"It was a tough season, with the match-fixing scandal and losing Ji Dong-won to Sunderland, but now I am already planning for next season," said Korea Republic's assistant coach at the 2010 World Cup.

The cabinet has passed a bill which will impose harsher punishment for fraud in professional sports including football, basketball and baseball, an official of the sports ministry told AFP.

Under the new regulations, players or coaches involved in match-fixing will face fines of up to 50 million won ($43,167), up from the maximum 15 million won ($12,951) now.

Brokers who bribe players or coaches will face imprisonment of up to five years or a maximum fine of 50 million won, up from previous punishments of up to two years in prison or 10 million won ($8,634) in fines.

The bill will revise an existing law which governs the operations of Sports Toto, the only licensed sports lottery in South Korea.

Dozens of people were charged with rigging K-League games after revelations in May this year that players had taken bribes from betting rings.

The Korean Football Association says that of the 57 people charged in the scandal, 12 have been jailed, 27 were given suspended jail terms or fined and two were found innocent. Trials are continuing for the remaining 16.

Newspapers say illegal gambling websites, many of them operated by crime rings, have heightened the temptation among players to fix matches.

The scandal took a darker turn with the suicides of a former coach of South Korea's military football club and a 29-year-old midfielder for a third division club.

Police said the deaths were apparently related to their involvement in match-fixing.

Dozens of people have been charged with rigging K-League games and 47 former and current players have been banned from football for life, after revelations that players had taken bribes from betting rings to fix matches.

At least two of those under investigation, a player and a former coach, killed themselves in suicides apparently linked to the scandal, which has shocked football fans and stirred fears for the future of the game in South Korea.

KFA spokesman Lee Won-Jae said steps taken by the body - including life bans, raising players' salaries and docking points from clubs if a corrupt player is caught - may not be enough to stop approaches by gambling syndicates.

"The steps taken so far are not sufficient," Lee told AFP ahead of Saturday's AFC Champions League final between K-League regular-season winner Jeonbuk Motors and Qatari side Al Sadd in Jeonju.

Lee did not suggest what more could be done but commentators have urged police to step up efforts targeting gangsters and gambling syndicates at the root of the issue.

"We know such moves (life bans) hurt the development of our football society but they were inevitable to reform our soccer world," Lee said, adding he hoped the K-League would "overcome these difficulties."

The KFA says of the 57 people charged in the scandal, 12 have been jailed, 27 suspended or fined and two found innocent. Trials continue for the remaining 16.

Newspapers say illegal gambling websites, many of them operated by crime rings, have heightened the temptation among players to fix matches.

The scandal took a darker turn with the suicides of a former coach of South Korea's military football club and a 29-year-old midfielder for a third division club, which police said were apparently related to involvement in match-fixing.

Chunnam finished seventh, just missing out on the play-off spots and Jung - assistant coach to the Korea Republic team at the 2010 World Cup - accepted responsibility for failing to make the top six.

He announced his departure from the team after just one season in charge.

Meanwhile, Lee leaves after two years in charge of the perennial struggler - despite leading the team to 12th in 2011, its best finish since 2008.

He told reporters: "I am a little confused and find it hard to understand.

"We have the lowest wage structure of any of the 16 teams except Sangju and I think that relatively speaking, we have had good results."

Kim Dong-chan's second-half equaliser ensured that Jeonbuk, who defeated Al Ittihad in midweek, finished four points clear at the top of the standings at the end of the regular K-League season.

Kim Myung-joong put Chunnam ahead after 17 minutes but both teams eventually had to settle for a point. Topping the table means that Jeonbuk will progress directly to the final of the playoff series.

"I am happy that we achieved our objective and finishing in first place," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.

"We are chasing two targets in the K-League and the Champions League. The atmosphere in the camp is good. The players are focused and we are looking forward to the challenges ahead."

Pohang Steelers finished second after winning 3-1 at Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Australia's Sasa Ognenovski scored Seongnam's only goal 12 minutes into the second half to cancel out Koh Moo-yeol's opener.

Koh added a second with 20 minutes remaining and Cho Chan-ho sealed the win soon after.

FC Seoul moved into third place with a 3-0 win at Gyeongnam FC thanks to a second-half hat-trick from Ha Dae-sung. That put it above Suwon Bluewings courtesy of goals scored.

Suwon defeated Jeju United 2-0 with the goals coming from Mato Neretljak and Stevica Ristic but still dropped down to fourth.

Ulsan Horangi and Busan I'Park confirmed also their places in the playoffs.

Busan finished in fifth after defeating bottom club Gangwon FC 2-0 as Han Ji-oh and Yang Dong-hyun struck in each half. Ulsan were held to a goalless draw at Daegu FC.

Elsewhere, Incheon United and Sangju Sangmu also drew 0-0 while Daejeon Citizen defeated Gwangju FC 1-0.

The Bluewings failed to score in the first leg against Al Sadd last week and proceeded to lose 2-0 but they netted after just nine minutes against Gwangju.

Stevica Ristic, who will miss the game in Doha after being sent off for fighting, shot home from a Lim Kyong-hyun cross.

Suwon stay in third, ahead of FC Seoul on goal difference.

"This was an important game for us," said Coach Yoon Sung-hyo. "We brought in a few reserve players like Lim Kyong-hun and though they haven't played for a while they performed above expectation."

Seoul came back from a goal down to defeat Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 3-1.

Jung Sung-chan fired Seongnam ahead after 25 minutes with a rocket into the top corner from 25 yards. Ten minutes later Kim tae-hwan's low shot from a similar distance levelled the scores up for Seoul.

With 14 minutes remaining, Dejan Damjanovic's volley on the turn from the edge of the area put the champions in front and the win was sealed with a late header from Mauricio Molina.

In the day's other fixture, bottom club Gangwon FC defeated Daegu FC 1-0 thanks to a goal from Kim Jin-yong.

The Jeonju club won 3-2 in the first leg of its 2011 AFC Champions League semi-final at Al Ittihad in midweek and, with Wednesday's second leg in mind, rested most of its players against a Daejeon team that had collected just one point from seven games.

Finishing first puts Jeonbuk into the final game of the six-team playoff series.

"It was good to clinch the regular season title at home," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee. "Now we prepare for the playoff series and the AFC Champions League.

"It was an interesting game and we had the chances to score early in the match but were not able to take them. The players tried hard and it has been a tough week so we are very happy."

Pohang Steelers sealed second place after a last-minute Mota equaliser gave them a 1-1 draw at home to Chunnam Dragons.

Lee Jong-ho had put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute.

Ulsan Horang-I defeated Busan I'Park 1-0 to move above their opponents into fifth place thanks to a 70th-minute strike from Lee Sul-gi.

Gyeongnam FC kept their play-off hopes alive with a 3-1 win at Sangju Sangmu.

Yoon Bitgaram, Seo Sang-min and Kim Ju-young got the goals for the victors with Yoo Chang-hyun scoring for Sangju.

Elsewhere, Jeju United defeated Incheon United 2-1.

Timur Kapadze put Incheon ahead but goals from Santos and Kang Su-il turned the match around.

Ko struck in the dying seconds just seven minutes after Derek Asamoah had seemingly snatched a point for the visitor. Go Sul-gi had put Ulsan ahead after 20 minutes.

The defeat leaves Pohang six points behind leader Jeonbuk Motors with two games to go, while Ulsan climbs to sixth and into the final play-off berth for the first time this season.

"It's going to be hard for us to finish in first now," said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong.

"We just need to confirm second place for the play-offs in the remaining games we have. We didn't play badly, we tried our best."

Ulsan boss Kim Ho-gon said: "It was an important win for us. Now we are in the top six, we will do all we can to stay there."

FC Seoul missed a chance to take third spot from Suwon Bluewings as it was held to a 1-1 draw at Incheon United. Jung In-hwan put Incheon ahead on the hour but Mauricio Molina equalised with 15 minutes remaining.

Busan I'Park moved into fifth after defeating Jeju United 3-1. Park Jung-woo and a brace from Lim Sung-hyun put Busan in control before Yang Ju-na grabbed a late consolation for Jeju.

Chunnam Dragons dropped to seventh following a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Gwangju FC, late goals from Joao Paolo and An Sung-nam doing the damage.

Gyeongnam FC kept its play-off hopes alive with a 3-0 win over Daegu FC. Colombian star Wilmar Gil grabbed two goals and Yun Il-rok claimed the other.

Finally, Sangju Sangmu won 3-1 at Daejeon Citizen. Park Seong-ho had put Daejeon ahead after seven minutes but Sangju hit back with goals from Ko Cha-won, Kim Chi-woo and Kim Min-soo.

The visitor took the lead after nine minutes when Woo In-jeong found the back of the net and doubled its advantage nine minutes before the break through Seong Nam-ann.

Daegu pulled a goal back three minutes after the hour when Yoo Kyoung-youl struck but it was not enough to prevent the host falling to its 11th defeat of the season.

The win also confirmed Jeonbuk's place in next year's Asian Champions League.

Jeonbuk outclassed Cerezo Osaka in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final in midweek and carried on where they left off against Sangju.

Lee, who scored four times on Tuesday, put the hosts ahead just before the half-hour and Lee Sung-hyun made it two on the stroke of half-time. Lee Sung-jae pulled a goal back for the visitors after 57 minutes but Lee Sung-hyun restored Jeonbuk's two-goal advantage on the hour.

Eninho netted the fourth goal midway through the second period and Lee Dong-gook grabbed his second two minutes before the end.

"The players today showed their desire to finish top," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.

"It doesn't matter what the opposition, they kept going and kept looking to score goals. We hope to win the league at Suwon next time around."

The other game of the day was between two teams that were also engaged in continental competition in midweek.

Suwon, who also booked a place in the last four with a win over Iranians Zob Ahan, defeated FC Seoul - who were eliminated by Al Ittihad - 1-0 to jump above the capital club into third.

A full house of almost 45,000 at Suwon World Cup Stadium saw Stevica Ristic grab the decisive goal with 12 minutes remaining.

Pohang dominated the first half and was in front after just three minutes. Adrian Chuva broke free down the right and his low cross was turned in by Derek Asamoah at the near post.

Midway through the half, Shin Kwang-hoon pulled the ball back from the byline for Mota to side-foot home to extend Pohang's lead.

Jeju pulled a goal back after 64 minutes as Santos turned inside the area to find the low corner of Pohang's net but the Steelers hung on for a fifth straight win.

"We moved the ball around very well early in the game," said Pohang boss Hwang Sun-hong. "In the second half they pressured us and our concentration levels suffered.

"We are not yet thinking about titles or the 2012 AFC Champions League as there are still games and the play-offs remaining."

Jeju boss Park Kyung-hoon lamented the early goals.

"We made mistakes early on and conceded twice. It was always going to be hard to recover from that," he said.

Busan I'Park saw its play-off hopes hit as it was defeated 1-0 at home to Gyeongnam FC thanks to a 17th-minute strike from Roni.

In the day's other matches, Daegu FC defeated Incheon United 2-0 thanks to a Song Jae-hon brace while Gwangju FC drew 0-0 with Ulsan Horangi.

Seongnam recovered from a poor opening half of the season to slowly climb up the rankings with a fifth win in its last eight outings, thanks to two goals in the space of three first-half minutes.

Hong Chul fired home a free-kick with 11 minutes on the clock and soon after Heverton Santos made it two, heading home a Park Jin-ho cross.

"I told Hong Chul that he should start scoring for the national team," said Seongnam coach Shin Tae-yong. "We got ahead in the first half and were comfortable in the second. It was a good performance from us."

Daejeon's coach Yoo Sang-chul is already looking ahead to 2012 after seeing his struggling side slump to a 14th defeat in 27 matches this season.

"We have three games left and we will use them to get ready for next season," said the 2002 World Cup star.

In the day's other game, bottom club Gangwon FC put a dent in the play-off ambitions of Chunnam Dragons with a last-minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw.

Chunnam's Brazilian striker Wesley opened the scoring just before the break only for Oh Jae-seok to earn a point for the hosts deep into stoppage time.

Former Ghana international Derek Asamoah was involved in the two first-half goals for Pohang.

He floated over a cross from the left to Adrian Chuva to poke the ball home at the far post after 22 minutes.

Just before the break Asamoah broke free down the right and rolled the ball to Mota inside the area and the Brazilian sidefooted home first time to extend the visitors' lead.

Kim Yong-tae pulled a goal back for the struggling hosts with 17 minutes remaining, but three minutes from the end Shin Hyung-min sealed the win for Pohang.

Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong was not happy with the performance despite the three points.

"We didn't play the way I wanted us to play," he said. "We were missing our passes and I think it was boring for the fans and the people watching on television."

Pohang's successors as AFC Champions League winners, Seongnam Ilwha Chunma, snatched a 3-2 win at home to Chunnam Dragons with a late goal.

Heverton put Seongnam ahead from the spot after 21 minutes, and two minutes before the break Everton Santos made it 2-0.

There was still time in the first half however for Lee Hyun-seung to pull a goal back for Chunnam, and when Yoon Suk-young equalised 12 minutes from the end the Dragons looked to be in for a share of the spoils.

That remained the case until a minute from time when Heverton grabbed his second and Seongnam's third.

Elsewhere, Busan I'Park were held to a 2-2 draw at Gwangju Sangmu.

Gwangju broke the deadlock on the hour thanks to Lee Sung-ki but Yoon Dong-min leveled for Busan after 76 minutes and Yang Dong-hyun put the visitors ahead five minutes later.

Yoo Jung-hyun struck in injury time to give Gwangju a point and leave Busan in sixth.

Jeonbuk face Cerezo Osaka in the second-leg of their Asian Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday but will have to raise its game against a Japanese team they trail 4-3 on aggregate, although coach Choi Kang-hee did rest a number of first-team players for this clash.

Jeju had the better of the chances with Kim Eun-jung and Santos coming close as Jeonbuk were unable to create many clear openings.

"That was a very tough game," said Choi.

"It is the first time we have played in the afternoon for a long time and our physical and concentration levels dropped.

"Now we can think about Cerezo Osaka, it should be a very good game and one that we can win."

FC Seoul, looking to overcome a 3-1 deficit against Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, had no such problems in defeating Daejeon Citizen 4-1 thanks to a hat-trick from in-form striker Dejan Damjanovic.

The Montenegrin marksman grabbed two early goals and although Lee Sang-hyob hauled the visitors back into the game midway through the second-half, Damjanovic restored Seoul's two goal advantage almost immediately. Mauricio Molina added a late fourth.

Suwon Bluewings travel to Zob Ahan for the second leg of their quarter-final with a 2-1 win at Daegu FC under its belts. Yeom Ki-hyun scored in the first-half and Lee Sang-ho in the second with Kim Min-gu grabbing a late consolation for the hosts.

Finally, second-half efforts from Seol Ki-hyun and Park Sung-il gave Ulsan Horangi a 2-0 win at Incheon United while Gangwon FC drew 0-0 at Gyeongnam.

Luiz Henrique opened the scoring midway through the first half, firing home a rebound after Kim Byung-ji saved Cho Sung-hwan's shot.

The Brazilian was involved in the second just after the half-hour as he was adjudged to have been fouled in the area by Seo Sang-min and Lee Dong-gook made no mistake from the spot.

Henrique then netted the third after 36 minutes, sweeping home a loose ball from close range.

Four minutes before the break, Kang Sung-jo gave the host hope with a fabulous free-kick curled into the top corner of Jeonbuk's net.

"It's been a tough week with an away game in Japan and then an away game here," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.

"We talked about approaching the game in the right way mentally and getting a good start early in the match."

Earlier in the day, FC Seoul secured a last-gasp 2-1 win over Busan I'Park.

Eder Baiano headed Busan into the lead at the end of the first half but Kim Dong-jin scored a rare goal after 63 minutes to pull Seoul level.

In the final minute, Choi Tae-wook slipped the ball through to Kang Jung-hoon and he scored from inside the area.

Suwon Bluewings stays in fourth as Mato Neretljak scored the only goal of the game at bottom club Gangwon FC.

In the day's other fixture, Jeju United and Chunnam Dragons drew 1-1. Kim Myung-jung put Chunnam ahead before Kim Eun-jung equalised for Jeju.

Lee Sung-ki put the visitor ahead after just three minutes and Kim Dong-sub made it two just before the break.

Dzenan Radoncic pulled a goal back for Seongnam, which saw Ognenovski sent off with 20 minutes remaining, but Joao Paulo sealed the points in the final minute.

Pohang Steelers closed the gap to leader Jeonbuk Motors to four points with a 1-0 win at Incheon United.

The only goal of the game came in the sixth minute when Jong In-hwan was adjudged to have tripped Adrian Chuva in the area and fellow Brazilian Mota stepped up to stroke the penalty past Kwon Jung-hyuk.

"This was our toughest game of the season," said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong.

"Our players had a very strong desire to keep a clean sheet and I appreciate that.

"The win is important if we want to keep the pressure on at the top of the table. There are still five games remaining and we will see what happens."

Ulsan Horangi kept its play-off hopes alive with a 3-1 win at home to struggling Sangju Sangmu.

Lee Jin-ho put the host in front after 30 minutes but Sangju was back on level terms just before the hour mark thanks to Lee Sung-jae's strike.

With 20 minutes remaining, Kwak Tae-hwi restored Ulsan's lead and Park Sung-il then sealed the win shortly afterwards.

Finally, Daegu FC and Daejeon Citizen drew 2-2. Kim Sung-joon and Park Sang-ho got the goals for Daejeon while Song Jae-hon netted twice for Daegu.

Australian defender Cornthwaite broke the deadlock for the home side on the hour mark and Lee made the points safe 11 minutes later.

Chunnam lies fourth, level on points with both Suwon Bluewings and Busan I'Park after the latter's 1-0 win at home to Daejon Citizen, Jose Silva da Luz grabbing the winner in the 30th minute.

After 14 minutes Stevica Ristic latched on to a Yeom Ki-hoon header to break into the Seongnam area, hold off the challenge of a defender and fire a low shot past Ha Kang-jin.

Ten minutes later, Park Hyun-beom made it to the left touchline and his low cross was flicked home by Yeom from close range.

Seongnam dominated much of the rest of the match and was back in the game early in the second half as Sasa Ognenovski headed home from a Hong Chul free-kick.

Midway through the second half Cho Dong-keon was brought down in the area but saw his spot-kick well saved by Jung Sung-ryong.

With five minutes left, Oh Jang-eun sealed the win with a glancing header although Ognenovski scored again in the dying seconds.

"This was a big step for us in our bid to finish in the top six to enter the play-offs ," said Suwon coach Yoon Sung-hyo, who saw his team maintain its fourth position. "There is still work to do but it was important to win today."

Pohang Steelers moved to within seven points of leader Jeonbuk Motors by thrashing Gwangju FC 5-1. Mota and Koh Moo-yeol both bagged braces with Noh Byung-joon getting the fifth. Park Ki-dong got a consolation for Gwangju.

Ulsan Horangi kept its play-off hopes alive with a 2-1 win at Jeju United thanks to a brace from defender Kwak Tae-hwi. Santos got the goal for the host.

Elsewhere, Gangwon FC picked up its second win of the season, beating Sangju Sangmu 2-0 with Seo Dong-hyun getting an early goal and Jung Sung-min a late one.

The 32-year-old Seongnam Ilhwa centre-back, speaking after another composed performance for his country in the midweek 3-1 FIFA World Cup qualifier win over Saudi Arabia, told The World Game he did not feel a move to the Abu Dhabi-based club would be the best way of remaining in Holger Osieck’s plans for Brazil 2014.

Al Wahda assistant chief executive Khaled Awadh has confirmed that the club has tabled an official offer to Seongnam, insisting that Ognenovski will have the final say on whether he joins Australians Lucas Neill (Al Jazira) and Mark Bresciano (Al Nasr SC) in the Emirates.

But Ognenovski, whose contract in Korea Republic does not expire until the end of next season, insisted that his club will make the ultimate call.

“There are two things really,” he said. “I don’t think the club are keen to let me go, especially with our domestic cup final coming up soon, which is a pathway back in the Asian Champions League.

“That’s a huge priority for the club and they want be to be a part of trying to make that happen again (after winning the ACL in 2010).

“That’s one aspect and the other is that I am not so sure about the quality of football in the UAE. I will certainly talk to my club about things but Europe really remains my first priority.

“I don’t think it (the UAE Pro-League) is the greatest competition and keeping up the standard that I’ve reached, or even improving on that, would be challenging.

“I have to think about that when making those sorts of decisions. I’m pretty keen on remaining with the national team and going to a league like that, you would need to be the ultimate professional to stay on top of everything.

“You’d need to do the extra training, and remain totally focused so when you do come into camp you are at a fitness and sharpness level that’s suitable for international football.”

On his dream move to Europe, the former Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United stopper turned Asian Player of the Year for 2010 added: “There has been some interest but nothing concrete yet. Maybe it will happen in January.

“Korea has been really god for me but it’s no secret that I’m looking for another challenge. The club knows that.

“But while I’m there I will continue to give everything to the club and maybe I will come back some day and do something else. Who knows? I may still end up staying until two or three years. Anything is possible right now.”

Ognenovski, who almost switched to FC Seoul in July, added: “Of course if Europe doesn’t happen then there are also possibilities here in Korea or Japan also.

“I have contract with Seongnam and I am obligated to see out the contract if that’s what the club wants.”

Ognenovski was pleased with Australia’s resilience and composure against the Saudis, in stark contrast to its faltering 2-1 victory over Thailand in Brisbane four days earlier.

“It was a good win for us ... it was always looking like the toughest game in the group with the conditions and such like and to now have six points from two games is superb for us.

“You can’t always play great football, which was definitely the case against Thailand where we just ground out a win. I feel we underestimated them a bit across the board, but to fight back from a goal down and win shows a bit of the character of this team.

“Against Saudi we played an intelligent game. We kept the ball and had the Saudi players chasing us rather than the other way round. It was very smart performance.”

Ognenovski welcomes the pressure placed on his spot by emerging 23-year-old Urawa Red Diamonds defender Matt Spiranovic, who started last month's friendly against Wales when Ognenovski was rested.

“It’s fantastic for the national team to have a player of Matt’s quality pushing myself and Lucas and that’s as it should be.

“Nobody has an automatic right to the Australia jersey ... you have to earn it. It doesn’t matter how well you have played in the past, it’s all about the present.

“Matt will play truckloads of games for his country in the coming years because he’s a fantastic prospect.

The victory kept the 2006 Asian Champions League winner seven points clear of Pohang Steelers at the top of the table.

Han Sung-yoon put Busan ahead after eight minutes, slotting home a low left-foot shot past Kim Min-shik but just before the break, Huang Bowan fired home after being set up inside the area by Lee Dong-gook.

Within seconds of the restart, Busan's Brazilian star Fagner restored the host's lead but Lim Yoo-hwan equalised again nine minutes later. Two minutes later Jung Song-hoon, who missed a first-half penalty, redeemed himself by shooting home the decisive goal.

Pohang Steelers stayed in contention with a 1-0 win at home to Gyeongnam FC thanks to a 76th-minute goal from Noh Byung-joon.

Champion FC Seoul made it seven wins from seven with a 6-3 win at home to bottom club Gangwon FC.

A hat-trick from Colombian star Mauricio Molina, a brace from Dejan Damjanovic and a solitary strike from Lee Seung-ryeol did the damage while the visitor salvaged some pride with late goals from Yoon Jun-ha, Seo Dong-hyun and Kim Jin-yong.

Suwon Bluewings stayed in fourth after a 1-1 draw at Ulsan Horang-i. Lee Jin-ho scored in the first half for Ulsan while Oh Jang-eun earned a point for Suwon with 18 minutes left.

Chunnam Dragons moved above Busan into fifth after a 1-0 win at Sangju Sangmu. Lee seung-hee got the only goal of the game after 62 minutes.

Elsewhere, Incheon United ended a 10-game winless streak by beating Daejeon Citizen 2-0. Jung Hyuk scored after seven minutes and Fabio Bahia scored with seven minutes remaining.

A 19th-minute goal from Cho Dong-keon ensured that Seongnam Ilhwa's revival continued with a 1-0 win at home to Daegu FC while Gwangju FC and Jeju United played out a 2-2 draw.

Lee Seung-ki and Heo Jae-won gave Gwangju a 2-0 lead but second-half goals from Kwon Yong-nam and Kim Eun-jung meant that Jeju took a point back south.

The goals from the former Middlesbrough marksman put Jeonbuk seven points clear at the summit with eight games of the regular season remaining.

Jeonbuk took the lead after 63 minutes in somewhat controversial circumstances. Shin Kwang-hoon was adjudged to have fouled Lee inside the area to give Jeonbuk a penalty and receive a second yellow card

Pohang was level in spectacular fashion just five minutes later as Noh Byung-joon fired a free-kick from 30 yards into the top corner.

Within 10 minutes Jeonbuk restored the lead as an innocuous looking shot from Lee wrong-footed the goalkeeper and bounced into the net.

Lee sealed the win just before the end, running onto a throughball from Seo Jung-jin and slotting home with a first time shot from near the penalty spot.

"The most important thing is that we won," the hat-trick hero told reporters after the game.

"It was a big game and we put on a good performance to get the three points but there is still a long way to go."

"It was a disappointing result for us," said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong.

"But we have to quickly put it out of our minds as we have some big games coming up starting with the FA Cup semi-final on Wednesday."

In the evening's other fixture, Busan I'Park drew 1-1 at Chunnam Dragons. Park Jung-woo put Busan ahead after 22 minutes but 10 minutes before the break, Kim Myung-joong equalised for Chunnam.

The point moves Busan into fourth place above Suwon on goal difference.

The Montenegrin marksman opened the scoring just before the interval, smashing home a throughball from Mauricio Molina.

Molina also set up Ha Dae-sung for Seoul's second after 74 minutes with Damjanovic wrapping up the points three minutes from time.

The win takes Seoul up to third in the standings and five points behind leader Jeonbuk Motors, which hosts second-placed Pohang Steelers on Sunday evening (local time).

Suwon Bluewings lies fourth after it also claimed a 3-0 win over Sangju Sangmu.

Yeom Ki-hun fired his side in front after 21 minutes, and then laid on the second for Stevica Ristic nine minutes later.

Lee Sang-ho made it three in the dying moments.

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma were held to a 1-1 draw by Gyeongnam FC. Lee Kyung-ryul put Gyeongnam ahead after 17 minutes but Everton Santos equalised three minutes later.

Brazilian striker Wagner scored the only goal as Daejeon Citizen defeated Ulsan Horangi 1-0, while Incheon United drew 0-0 with Gangwon FC.

The three points keeps Seongnam in 14th place in the 16-team league but moves it to within sight of mid-table.

Jeon Song-chan opened the scoring after 17 minutes with a long-range shot after a nice passing move from Seongnam.

Three minutes later Brazilian striker Heverton extended his side's lead against an underperforming Ulsan team.

Koh Sul-gi pulled a goal back just before the hour, shooting home from Lucio's chest down, but Emerton Santos restored the host's advantage 13 minutes from time.

Four minutes from the end, Koh grabbed his and Ulsan's second but Seongnam hung on for an important win.

"The players kept going until the end in humid and sticky conditions," said Seongnam coach Shin Tae-yong. "We'll keep moving forward and even if there is just 1 percent of us going into the play-offs, we will not give up."

The solitary point keeps Chunnam in fifth place, one behind Seoul in fourth and Jeju in third.

For the host it was two points dropped, especially as Incheon saw Jang Hyok sent off for a wild challenge after 33 minutes.

In a game played in torrential rain, Jang had missed Incheon's best chance earlier in the half when he was through on Lee Woon-jae's goal only to see his shot saved by the former Korea Republic goalkeeper.

After the sending off, Chunnam piled on the pressure with Brazilian duo Indio and Wesley going close though both were unable to find the crucial breakthrough.

"If the conditions had been better then we could have played a good game with Chunnam," said Incheon coach Huh Jung-moo.

"As it was, it wasn't the best game but we will keep trying to pick up points and reach the play-offs."

Kim opened the scoring after just 39 seconds, the second-fastest goal of the season, at the home of the bottom club and added a second in the eighth minute before netting the third and final goal soon after.

Pohang Steelers stays second after a 3-2 win at home to Busan I'Park. Two early goals from Koh Moo-yeol put Pohang in control but Lim Sang-hyub struck just before the break to give Busan hope.

Derek Asamoah restored Pohang's two-goal advantage with seven minutes remaining but there was still time for Brazilian striker Fagner to pull a goal back in the last minute.

Jeju United stays in third after a 2-0 win at Daegu FC with Kim Young-sin and Lee Hyun-ho getting the goals.

FC Seoul moved up to fourth thanks to a 2-1 win at Ulsan Horang-i. Choi Hyun-tae put the visitor ahead after eight minutes while Koh Myung-jin added a second with 15 minutes remaining.

Kang Min-soo headed Ulsan back into the game two minutes later but Seoul took the three points.

Gyeongnam FC won 2-0 at Gwangju FC thanks to goals in each half from Seo Sang-min and Yoon Bit-garam.

Suwon Bluewings thrashed Daejeon Citizen 4-0 to move to within sight of the play-offs.

Kwak Hee-ju opened the scoring after eight minutes, Yeom Ki-hoon added a second just before the hour and a brace from Lee Sang-ho sealed the win.

Asian Champions League holder Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma won 3-1 at Sangju Sangmu.

Namkung Do struck after 28 minutes and Dzenan Radoncic added a second just after the hour - his first league goal since returning from injury - and while Kim Jung-woo pulled a goal back for Sangju with 15 minutes remaining, Everton scored Seongnam's third just before the end.

K-League general secretary An Gi-heon told a workshop of league officials and club representatives that the scandal should be a prompt to introduce some changes to the structure of the local game.

"The K-League is now suffering scandals but we are trying tirelessly to overcome the problems," An was quoted as saying on the Asian Football Confederation's website.

"Everyone may perceive many changes are necessary.

"In this regard, the scandal can be an opportunity for us.

"As you know, the K-League board members have been changed, that means the decision making right has been moved to the club sides.

"We would like to listen more to the clubs and respect the clubs' voice."

A five-man taskforce from the AFC completed a 12-day visit to South Korea on Monday, and while the continental body would not be directly involved in dealing the scandal, it did note some areas for improvement in the league's structure.

"Before we came here, we found that one of the weaknesses in the K-League was the recently emerged match-fixing issues and that a promotion-relegation system was not available," said AFC official Tokuaki Suzuki, who led the taskforce.

"During our inspection, we were given a detailed report and acknowledge a lot of actions has been taken and will be done by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, KFA and K-League."

South Korean authorities have taken drastic measures to stamp out corruption, including the proposed use of lie detectors - or polygraph testing - to better investigate those implicated in future scandals in Asia's oldest domestic professional football league.

Prosecutors have indicted more than 70 footballers, gambling brokers and others for alleged involvement in the scandal.

A former K-League player who allegedly worked as a gambling broker was found dead in an apparent suicide in May.

The Socceroos defender took Asian football by storm last season after moving from Adelaide United to Seongnam Ilhwa in 2009.

He helped his new club reach the final of the ACL and as captain he played a key role in a 3-1 victory over Iran's Zob Ahan in Tokyo.

He scored the game's opening goal and was later named man of the match.

But Seongnam has paid dearly for a cost-cutting policy that allowed star players to go and that resulted in the club plummeting to 14th spot in the league.

Ognenovski has made it known that he wants out of Seongnam because he feels that the club does not match his ambition. He also expressed a desire to play in Germany.

Ognenovski, who has since forged an impregnable partnership with Lucas Neill at the centre of Australia's defence, said that it was time for a move.

And Seoul would provide him with an opportunity of playing in the Korea Republic's capital and of having another taste of the ACL.

”I'm obviously disappointed at how this season has panned out,” Ognenovski told The World Game.

”I did not complain with the club or anything like that.

”But I do hope I end up with Seoul.

”Seoul is an ambitious club and I would be playing for the best team in the country if I joined them.

”They are still in the ACL and they play Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) in the quarter-finals.

”I would be eligible to play in the competition because Seongnam did not qualify this season.

”I'd love to play for Seoul mainly because it is such a big club.

”The problem is clubs are not too keen on transfer fees for 32-year-olds.

”It has nothing to do with my style of play.”

Ognenovski said he would be more than willing to play in Australia's forthcoming friendly match against Wales in Cardiff should he be picked by coach Holger Osieck.

With Asian qualifying for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014 already started and the Socceroos due in action in September, Wales would provide the Socceroos with a stern test on August 11 (AEST).

Ognenovski is keen to make the most of his late blooming career that saw him make his national debut at the age of 31.

”It's a FIFA date so I'll be there, definitely, if I'm picked,” he said.

”I'm looking forward to find out who we will have to play later on.

”I'm playing at a higher level now and if my form with the Socceroos warrants it I'd expect to stay there for a while.

”I do now that if my form dips I won't deserve to play.”

The victory puts daylight between the leader and second-placed Pohang Steelers, which was held 1-1 by Daegu the previous day, and leaves 2010 AFC Champions League winner Seongnam just one place off the bottom.

Jeonbuk took the lead in a slightly fortuitous fashion in the 16th minute when Krunoslav Lovrek cut into the area near the byline and his low cross hit the chest of visiting defender Jeong Ho-jeong before spinning into the Seongnam net, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

After the break, Seongnam pushed forward in search of an equaliser and almost got it after 55 minutes when Brazilian striker Emerton headed against the crossbar from close range.

Jeonbuk made the most of that let-off by extending the lead just after the hour in simple fashion.

Lee Dong-gook chested down a high ball on the edge of the area and slipped a pass through to Kim Dong Chan, who, loitering on the penalty spot, turned and side-footed home to seal the win.

"It was a tough match as we expected," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee. "We could have played better but we did what we had to do."

Kim Jae-sung fired home a free-kick just before half-time to put Pohang in front but hosts Daegu levelled deep into injury-time at the end of the game when Kim Hyun-sung headed in Song chang-ho`s cross from the right.

The result means pacesetter Jeonbuk can go six points clear with a victory at home to struggling Seongnam Ilhwa on Sunday.

"It is frustrating not to take the three points from this game," said Pohang manager Hwang Sun-hong. "We had the opportunities to get a second goal but we just didn't take them, there are many things to be frustrated about."

Busan I'Park edged a seven-goal thriller to defeat Suwon Bluewings 4-3 and move into third place. Stevica Ristic put Suwon ahead midway through the first half from the penalty spot but Lim Sang-hyub equalised on the stroke of half-time.

Yang Dong-hyun put Busan ahead in the 69th minute and seven minutes later the win seemed to have been sealed when a debut goal from Brazilian striker Wagner saw the hosts eading 3-1.

However, two goals in three minutes from Lee Sang-ho and Ha Tae-gyun put Suwon back on level terms until five minutes from the end when Wagner got his second and Busan's fourth.

FC Seoul moved into the play-off spots for the first time this campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Gwangju FC.

Dejan Damjanovic grabbed his 14th and 15th goals of the season to put Seoul 2-0 ahead after 22 minutes and further strikes from Choi Chung-hwan and Mauricio Molina saw the home side leading 4-0 at half-time.

There was one more goal in the second half, although it went to Gwangju with Kim Dong-sob netting a consolation.

Ulsan Horang-I's recent good form continued with a 2-0 home win over Chunnam Dragons with goals from Kim Shin-wook and Seol Ki-hyeon.

Fifth-placed Jeju United drew 1-1 at Sangju Sangmu. Kim Jung-woo put the host ahead just before the hour but a late strike from Kim Eun-jung earned Jeju a point.

Incheon United came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home to Gyeongnam FC. Lee Hyo-gyun and Jung Dae-seon put Gyeongnam ahead early in the second half but Incheon hit back through Fabio Bahia and Park Jun-tae.

Also, Daejeon Citizen won 1-0 at home to bottom club Gwangju FC thanks to a Cho Hong-gyu strike just after the break.

Two goals from Dejan Damjanovic did the damage as the defending champion moved up to seventh place in the table.

The Montenegrin marksman put Seoul ahead after eight minutes, turning in a smart pass from Mauricio Molina, before then heading home in the 29th minute to put the visitor in control.

Koh Moo-yeol pulled a goal back for Pohang 10 minutes before the interval but the host was unable to get the all-important equaliser.

"Dejan is a top class striker," said Seoul caretaker-coach Choi Yong-soo.

"He was well-supported by his team-mates. We showed our fighting spirit and kept going until the end."

Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong remained upbeat despite the loss.

"We missed the chance to close the gap with Jeonbuk, but we played with passion," he said.

"There is still a long way to go this season and lots of points still to play for."

Chunnam Dragons moved into third with a 3-1 win at home to Daegu FC.

Kim Myong-joong put the host ahead in the opening minute only for Sung Jae-han to equalise for Daegu eight minutes before the interval.

Shin Yong-joon then restored Chunnam's lead 10 minutes after the restart before Javier Reina made sure of the points with a last-minute penalty.

It could have been worse for the AFC Champions League quarter-finalist, who has yet to win in July after also being held to draws by FC Seoul and Ulsan, as they needed an own goal to earn a point.

Lee Sung-ki put Gwangju ahead in the 57th minute, slotting in the rebound after Park Dong-ki has seen his shot blocked, but Jeonbuk salvaged a draw with an equaliser soon after when Park Won-jae's cross bounced off Kim Su-beom into his own net.

"For us, a draw feels like a defeat," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee. "This is the third game without a win. There is nothing especially wrong with how we are playing and with the mood in the camp but we need to take a look at things. We have a home game next week and will get ready for that."

Second-placed Pohang Steelers can cut the gap at the top to one point if it defeats FC Seoul on Sunday.

Jeju United stay in third after drawing 2-2 at Seongnam Ilhwa.

Jeju looked on course for a second successive defeat when they fell 2-0 down following strikes in quick succession from Brazilians Heverton and Everton Santos in the first half

However, two goals in the final 14 minutes from Park Hyun-beom saw Jeju hit back and claim a share of the spoils.

Busan I'Park goes fourth, level on 29 points with Jeju, following a 2-1 win at Sangju Sangmu. Kim Cheol-ho put Sangju ahead but goals from Han Ji-ho and Park Tae-min gave Busan the win.

Suwon Bluewings edged closer to the play-off places with a 1-0 victory at home to Incheon United, new signing Stevica Ristic netting the winner just before the break with his second goal in successive games.

Elsewhere, Ulsan Horang-I won 2-1 at bottom club Gangwon FC with goals from Kim Shin-wook and Lee Jin-ho cancelling out an effort from Lee Jung-woon for the host, while Gyeongnam FC thrashed Daejeon Citizen 7-1.

Yoon Bit Garam, Lee Hyo-gyun, Lee Hoon, Park Min, Luke Devere, Jordan and Lucio got the goals for Gyeongnam while Lee Woon-hee got a late consolation for Daejeon.

The K-League says polygraph testing will help prevent more match-fixing scandals from erupting and better investigate those implicated in future scandals.

The K-League says it will also double the minimum yearly wage for league players to US$22,670 ($21,383) to lessen the temptation to take bribes to fix games.

South Korean prosecutors have indicted about 70 footballers, gambling brokers and others for alleged involvement in the scandal.

A former K-League player who allegedly worked as a broker was found dead in an apparent suicide in May.

Chances were few and far between with Lee Dong-guk going closest for Jeonbuk, while Ko Chang-hyun just missed the target for Ulsan late in the game.

"It is disappointing to draw for the second successive game," said Jeonbuk boss Choi Kang-hee.

"We played well against FC Seoul last week but had two men sent off and came away with just a point and it was the same tonight.

"The atmosphere in the team is not bad and we will focus on getting the right result in our next game."

Suwon Bluewings' recent mini-revival ended at Chunnam Dragons as the AFC Champions League quarter-finalists fell to a 3-1 defeat.

New signing Stevica Ristic netted on his debut to put Suwon ahead just before the break, but second-half strikes from Shin Yong-joon, Yoon Seok-yong and Wesley gave the host three points to move into fourth.

In the day's other match, Seongnam Ilhwa drew 2-2 with Incheon United.

Seongnam's Australian defender Sasa Ognenovski put through his own net early in the second half but Bae Hyo-sung equalised just before the hour.

Timur Kapadze restored Incheon's lead with eight minutes remaining but Song Ho-young earned a point for the host soon after.

Kim Jae-sung opened the floodgates in the sixth minute before Pohang scored three times in an eight-minute spell just after the half-hour through Hwang Jin-sung and Mota (two) to take a 4-0 advantage into half-time.

Shin Kwang-hoon, Mu Ko and Kim Gi-dong (penalty) added further goals after the break as Pohang bounced back in style after suffering only its second defeat of the season at Suwon Bluewings last time out.

The victory moves Pohang to within two points of Jeonbuk, which is away to Ulsan on Sunday evening (local time), and five clear of third-placed Jeju United, which surrendered a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 at home to Gyeongnam.

Jeju looked on course for the win when Park Hyun-beom Park's penalty and a Junior Santos strike put it two goals ahead by the hour mark, but Gyeongnam netted three times in the final 13 minutes to claim the spoils, Kim In-han netting the winner just before the end.

Fourth-placed Busan I'park took advantage of Jeju's slip-up to narrow the gap between the pair to two points, beating Daegu 3-2.

Daegu twice led through goals from Yoo Kyoung-youl (35) and Hwang Il-su (69), but Busan emerged victorious thanks to an own goal from Yoo (61) and late strikes from Park Jong-woo (86) and Han Sang-woon (90).

FC Seoul was also celebrating a comeback 3-2 victory as it defeated Sangju Sangmu Phoenix, with Bang Seung-hwan scoring the clincher in the last minute. Earlier, Dejan Damjanovic's second-half brace for Seoul was sandwiched between goals from Kim Jung-woo and Kim Min-soo for visitor Sangju.

The day's other game saw Gwangju beat bottom club Gangwon 2-0 thanks to goals in either half from Lee Seung-ki.

Hong Jeong-Ho, a 20-year-old defender for Jeju United, has been questioned daily by prosecutors since Sunday, Jeju United spokesman Kim Dong-Nam said.

Hong was approached by a broker last month to take part in match-fixing but immediately rejected the offer, the spokesman told AFP.

"Hong flatly denied he had committed any wrongdoing," he said.

Eleven players have so far been charged with taking money from gambling brokers in return for allowing their teams to lose.

Another player who was implicated in the scandal committed suicide.

Of the 11 who have been charged, all but one have been banned for life from the K-League.

Vice Sports Minister Park Sun-Kyoo said last week that teams whose players are caught in match-fixing would in future be permanently expelled from the K-League.

Nearly all football players, coaches, referees and officials have now signed a pledge to root out match-rigging and other illegal activities.

K-League officials have urged players to come forward in return for lenient penalties.

The point moved Jeonbuk five clear of Pohang Steelers at the top of the table.

At a wet Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the host team was two goals to the good by the break.

On the half hour Seoul's Brazilian defender Adilson was adjudged to have brought down compatriot Eninho in the area. The playmaker converted from the spot with a low shot but was promptly shown a second yellow card for over-celebrating.

Just before half-time, the 10 men extended their lead as Lee Sung-hyun's long-range effort took a deflection to give Kim Yong-dae no chance.

With 12 minutes remaining, Jeonbuk were reduced to nine men after substitute Krunoslav Lovrek also received a second yellow.

Just two minutes later, Seoul pulled a goal back as Kim Min-sik headed home a Server Djeparov corner and, almost immediately, Dejkan Damjanovic finished off a fine passing move to bring Seoul level.

In the evening's other fixture, Ulsan Horangi and Gyeongnam FC played out a goalless draw.

With a US$600,000 ($557,258) transfer fee on his head, the 32-year-old has found few European cubs willing to take the risk because of his vintage - but there is interest in the Gulf for the man eyeing off Brazil 2014 as his ultimate career goal.

Asia's reigning Player of the Year for 2010 has already amassed 10 caps since being brought into the fold by Socceroos coach Holger Osieck and he views a stint in Europe as the perfect way to maintain his omnipresence at the heart of Australia's defence alongside skipper Lucas Neill.

Germany remains the preference of the former Brisbane Roar and Adelaide United mainstay who won the AFC Champions League with Seongnam last year - gaining man of the match and MVP honours for the tournament along the way.

He was a rock for Australia as it surged to the final of January's AFC Asian Cup and is seeking to maximise the years he has left in the game.

"The problem for me is that because of age not many European clubs are willing to pay the asking price of Seongnam," Ognenovski told The World Game. "That may not be the case in the Middle East and I am leaning towards a move there with a clause in my contract allowing me to buy it out should an offer come from Europe.

"I really want to be playing at the highest level possible to maintain my place in the Socceroos squad and I have no doubt I can do a job for a club in Europe. The issue is they look at my age and that stops them wanting to pay a significant transfer fee. They look at the number and worry that maybe I will break down physically and it makes them cautious.

"Going there as a free agent would be a different story and that's what I will be aiming to do."

Despite his vintage, Ognenovski - once described as 'scary' by Osieck - remains a formidable physical presence for club and country, albeit in a Seongnam side which has shed eight of the all-conquering team which beat Zob Ahan 3–1 in the 2010 AFC Champions League final.

"I've played over 60 games for Seongnam now and I'm feeling as good as ever," added the domineering centre-back. "And I know there is still a lot left in the tank."

Ognenovski admits he has become frustrated in Korea, where he has a year to run on his current deal.

"There is a little element there of maybe feeling a bit trapped. Asia has been great for me but I feel this is the time to go now."

His options have been narrowed in terms of playing in England where there are several Championship clubs chasing him because he has not played in the requisite 75 percent of Australia's internationals over the past two years to qualify for a work permit.

"I'm optimistic something will happen for me somewhere in Europe," he added. "What's driving me on is the national team and staying involved. I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.

"I can't wait until September comes around and we begin our campaign to qualify for Brazil in 2014. I'm excited about the squad we have. There are still a lot of the senior players involved and some really promising younger boys coming through.

"And the style of football the coach has got us playing suits us fine. I think this team can do some good things."

There were just three minutes on the clock when Marcel gave Suwon the lead, the Brazilian striker heading in a cross from Yeom Ki-hoon, but Pohang drew level on the stroke of half-time.

A low shot from Kim Jae-sung from outside the area seemed hopeful until it deflected off the leg of Suwon defender Mato Neretljak and past the wrong-footed Jung Sung-ryeong.

However, it was to be Marcel's day as he scored his side's winner midway through the second half when his low left-footed shot from the edge of the area squeezed under Shin Hwa-yong in the Pohang goal to seal Suwon's third successive victory.

Pohang's defeat, only its second of the season, means that leader Jeonbuk Motors can go seven points clear on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Jeju United won 4-2 at bottom club Gangwon FC. Kim Eun-jung and Lee Hyun-ho put Jeju 2-0 ahead and while Gangwon hit back through Lee Eul-yong and Kim Yong-hu to make it 2-2, Jeju took the points thanks to a second goal from Kim and a late strike from Brazilian star Santos.

Daejeon lost a three-goal lead as it drew 4-4 with Chunnam Dragons.

Daejeon raced into a 3-0 lead by the midway point of the first half thanks to two goals from Han Jae-woong and one from Han Deok-hee.

However, a brace from Chunnam's Brazilian striker Wesley either side of the break put his side back in the game while Lee Wan made it 3-3 just before the hour.

Daejeon striker Wagner, another Brazilian, looked to have grabbed the winner 11 minutes from time as he made it 4-3 but Lee Byung-yoon scored in the last minute to earn a point for Chunnam.

Daegu FC fought back from an early deficit to win 2-1 at Sangju Sangmu, first-half goals from Kim Min-gu and Kim Hyun-sung cancelling out Kim Jung-woo's strike to give Daegu the spoils.

In the other games, Busan I'Park defeated Seongnam Ilhwa 1-0 thanks to a goal from Han Sang-woon while Incheon United drew with Gwangju FC 2-2. Park Jun-tae and Jeon Jae-ho got the goals for Incheon while Kim Dong-seop and Jaoa Paulo scored for the visitor.

The K-League has been rattled for weeks by a match-rigging controversy, with 10 current players facing criminal charges so far and one more charged by military prosecutors. Another implicated player committed suicide.

In future, teams whose players are implicated in match-fixing will be expelled from the competition, Vice Sports Minister Park Sun-Kyoo said after discussions with 16 club delegates and league officials.

"We will consider shutting down the K-League in the worst-case scenario," he warned.

State prosecutors are due to complete a probe into the current scandal on July 7, he said.

The meeting came after Choi Sung-Kuk, a former national team forward, this week admitted his involvement in throwing games while playing for a military soccer team last year.

The 28-year-old Choi, now with Suwon Samsung Bluewings, is the highest-profile player to be implicated.

Of the 11 players who have been charged, all but one have been banned for life from the K-League. They are accused of taking money from gambling brokers in return for allowing their teams to lose.

Nearly all football players, coaches, referees and officials have now signed a pledge to root out match fixing and other illegal activities, while league officials have urged players to come forward in return for lenient penalties.

Already 10 K-League players have been indicted in a match-fixing scandal that is getting deeper by the day. Choi, who has made 26 international appearances for Korea Republic, is easily the highest-profile player to be linked to the problem.

"We don't know how serious it is," Lee Kap-jin, a former Korea Football Association vice-president and head of the KFA's newly-formed misconduct committee, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "We don't know how deep and wide it goes but I think it will take a long time to sort out.

"We only know what the prosecutors have found and the players who have come forward voluntary to confess."

South Korean prosecutors indicted 14 people earlier this month, including 10 K-League players. Eight of the players were contracted to Daejeon Citizen and allegedly took kickbacks from illegal gambling brokers to fix the outcome of games.

An eleventh allegedly bet on one of his own team's games after learning the outcome would be rigged.

A former K-League player, who allegedly worked as a broker, was found dead in an apparent suicide late last month.

Choi, nicknamed 'Little Maradona', was questioned this week. He told prosecutors that in June 2010, he attended a meeting between players and gambling brokers while he was playing for military club Gwangju Sangmu, a team that has since relocated to Sangju. He has since moved to Suwon Bluewings.

According to Choi, he rejected an offer of money from then team-mate Kim Dong-hyun - who was also at the meeting and has already been arrested by military prosecutors over the scandal.

Choi reportedly claimed that he told the club's coaching staff of the incident. The admissions come a month after Choi denied all claims that he was involved in match-fixing at an emergency workshop called by the K-League.

The KFA said that it was unable to comment on a specific case under investigation from prosecutors, but Lee said that the national league was determined to stamp out corruption.

"All of a sudden when supporters know about this, that even high-ranking players are involved, then you can't get the support of the fans," Lee said. "We will continue to move forward and take measures and clean football.

"We don't know how long it will take but we know it can't be done in a day."

Lee said the league had to investigate thoroughly, then devise ways to combat against future corruption. The overhaul could start as early as next week.

"And then our main job is how to make a systematic way to protect our players and take precautions and have a warning system," he said. "We have to focus on protection from outside threats and temptations.

"We need to continually train and educate our people - from the youngsters up to the professionals. It is a big job for the KFA. The committee will forward proposals to the KFA to deal with the situation next week."

Choi's admission came days after a goalkeeper with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors acknowledged his involvement in the scandal, but had his name withheld by investigators. South Korean media identified the player as Yeom Dong-gyun, who had played for South Korea's under-23 team and had been a back-up for the full national side.

Investigations have been focusing on League Cup games in 2011 but Choi's allegations that match-fixing was taking place in the same competition a year earlier is a further blow to the K-League's reputation.

"It's hard to predict about the effects on the K-League's reputation," Lee said. "It is a long-term battle and we will continue our march. We would like to get some fans involved, as without their help, we can't find the professional gamblers at the stadium and find the 'eyes' who are supervising in the stadiums. We also need to find the international connection. As far as we know, it doesn't just come from Korea but China and southeast Asia."

The scandal does not seem to have caused a backlash from fans or sponsors, yet. The K-league's main sponsor is Hyundai Oilbank, a subsidiary of Hyundai, a conglomerate that has provided many of the nation's top football officials and one with close links to Korean football.

"Fans are frustrated but optimistic. It sounds strange but that's the current situation here," football commentator for MBC TV Seo Hyung-wook told The AP. "There is a sense that a corner may have been turned but most fans don't understand how bad it is. People still support and believe their players and clubs.

"Korean people tend to be familiar with scandals. These days, people are less surprised compared with when the scandal was first exposed."

But Seo said severe punishments were needed as deterrent for match fixing because 'there is a danger that people feel that the storm has passed and most footballers involved in this match-fixing don't feel guilty, but unlucky'.

Yonhap news agency quotes a K-League official as saying the goalkeeper told officials he fixed games last season while playing for Chunnam Dragons in South Korea's top league.

The player, who has not been identified, is now reportedly with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

The K-League has already handed down life bans to 10 players over alleged involvement in the scandal.

On a wet evening, striker Kim Myung-joong scored the only goal of the game after 23 minutes to give Chunnam a first win in four matches and move it above Incheon United.

The big targetman stroked the ball home from inside the penalty area in a game that Gangwon controlled for long periods.

"The conditions weren't ideal for football but we stuck to our task and got the important goal," said Chunnam boss Jung Hae-sung.

The 2006 AFC Champions League winner never looked back after Cho Sung-hwan headed the team ahead from an Eninho corner in the 18th minute. Luiz Henrique fired the visitor further into the lead just after the half-hour and Lee Sung-hyun confirmed the win with a strike four minutes from time.

Second-placed Pohang Steelers stayed in touch with Jeonbuk thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 win at Gyeongnam.

Derek Asamoah put Pohang ahead after 23 minutes but Lee Hoon soon equalised for the host. Mota restored the visitor's lead 10 minutes after the restart but just before the midway point of the half, Yoon Il-rok once again levelled proceedings. Mota grabbed his second with 21 minutes remaining to give Pohang a vital win.

Jeju United stayed in third thanks to a 2-1 win at home to Gwangju FC in a match full of late drama.

Santos put the host ahead after 54 minutes but Gwangju looked to have saved a point with a last-minute strike from Yoo Dong-min. There was still time, however, for Bae Ki-jong to give Jeju the three points.

Champion FC Seoul was held to a 1-1 draw by Incheon United. Han Kyo-won put Incheon ahead after 37 minutes but a fine strike from Dejan Damjanovic restored parity just three minutes later. Both sides finished with 10 men after Jang Wo-seok and Yeo Yong-ho saw red late in the game.

Suwon Bluewings won for the second week in succession with a 3-1 victory at Daejeon Citizen. Yang Jun-a, Lee Sang-ho and Hae Tae-gyun got the goals for Suwon while Park Sung-ho was on the scoresheet for the host.

Elsewhere, Busan I'Park defeated Ulsan Horang-I 2-0 thanks to Lim Sang-hyob and Yang Dong-hyun while a last-minute strike from Thiago Quirinho gave Daegu FC a 2-1 win at home to Seongnam Ilhwa. Juninho put the host ahead in the first half while Nam Kung-do looked to have rescued a point for Seongnam.

Santos put Jeju ahead after 10 minutes, firing home from the left after being found in the penalty area by Kim Eun-jung, but Jeonbuk's Brazilian star Eninho equalised in the 64th minute.

Sixty seconds later, Santos restored Jeju's lead, but late goals from Kim In-ho and Luiz Henrique gave the Motors three vital points.

Second-placed Pohang Steelers came from 2-0 down at home to beat Sangju Sangmu 4-3.

First-half goals from Jang Nam-seok and Kim Jung-woo put Sangju in control but the three-time continental champion fought back after the break with goals from Koo Mu-yeol, Kim Tae-su, Mota and Derek Asamoah. Koh Cha-won pulled a late goal back for the visitors.

Champion FC Seoul won 2-0 at bottom club Gangwon FC. Ha Dae-sung opened the scoring midway through the first half and Mauricio Molina added a second on the stroke of half-time.

A hat-trick from Yeom Ki-hoon helped Suwon Bluewings bounce back from a string of poor results to thrash Daegu FC 4-1.

The visitor took a 12th-minute lead through Kim Hyun-sang only for Yeom to equalise two minutes later. Brazilian striker Marcel put Suwon ahead after 26 minutes and two second-half goals from Yeom, one from the spot, gave Suwon a welcome win.

Elsewhere, Ulsan Horang-i and Incheon United drew 1-1. Luisinho put Incheon ahead in the first half and Ko Chang-hyun equalised for Ulsan. Gwangju FC and Chunnam Dragons drew 0-0.

At the bottom, goals from Jeon Sung-chan and Cho Dong-keon gave Seongnam Ilhwa a 2-1 win over Daejeon Citizen, Hwang Jin-san getting Daejeon's goal.

Gyeongnam FC defeated Busan I'Park 3-2 with all five goals coming after the break. Lee Kyung-ryeol, Lee Hun and Kim Tae-huk netted for Gyeongnam while Yang Dong-hyun and Yang Sang-hoon scored for Busan.

Striker Kim Dong-hyun, who has made six appearance for the national team, is the most high profile of the group, who are alleged to have accepted sums of around US$100,000 ($94,000) from brokers operating on behalf of illegal betting sites based in Korea Republic and China to affect the outcome of games.

The 10 have all been charged by state prosecutors and face a possible five-year prison sentence.

"We made the decision, determined that this would be the first and the last match-fixing scandal in the league," said Kwak Young-Cheol, head of the K-League's disciplinary committee.

"Players must keep in mind that they will be kicked out of the sport permanently if they get caught committing wrongdoing."

Kwak also announced any player not convicted by criminal courts would have his ban reviewed.

An 11th, Kim Jung-gyum of Pohang Steelers, was given a five-year ban for gambling on his own team's game.

Eight of the players are from Daejeon Citizen, with one each from Gwangju FC and Sangju Sangmu.

The teams were also handed punishments. Daejeon will lose around US$250,000 ($235,000) as the club's share from the revenue of Sports Toto, Korea Repulic's licensed sports lottery, will be cut by 30 percent this year. Gwangju and Sangju will be hit with a 10 percent reduction.

On May 30, former Jeonbuk Motors player Jeong Jong-kwan was found dead in an apparent suicide, leaving a note that reportedly detailed his involvement.

The 2006 AFC Champions League winner took the lead after 27 minutes when Brazilian star Eninho, receiving a pass from Lee Dong-gook, found himself one on one with Kim Byung-ji and slotted the ball past the veteran goalkeeper.

Lee sealed the win 17 minutes from time with his 10th goal of the season. Kim got down to save the first effort but could do little when the striker scored at the second attempt.

Pohang Steelers stay in second after drawing 1-1 at champion FC Seoul. Dejan Damjanovic put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute from close range. Hwang Jin-sung ended a long run at the beginning of the second half with a shot that took a deflection on its way into the Seoul net.

Suwon Bluewings' dire run of domestic form continued as it fell to a 3-2 defeat at Jeju United.

Alexander Geynrikh put Suwon ahead after just six minutes with a long-range effort but Zair equalised for the hosts just before the break.

Fellow Brazilian Santos put Jeju ahead after 62 minutes but soon after Park Jong-jin curled home a free-kick to level proceedings.

In injury time Kwon Yong-nap scored the winner to lift Jeju into third and send Suwon into 14th.

Seongnam Ilhwa's poor season continued with a 2-0 loss a Gwangju FC with Lee Sung-ki and Joao Paolo getting the goals.

A late goal from Lee Jae-ho gave Ulsan Horang-I a 2-1 win at Sangju Sangmu. Kim Jung-woo put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute but Koh Sul-gi soon equalised.

Sunderland target Ji Dong-won scored for Chunnam Dragons in its 1-1 draw at Incheon United. Ji's first-half goal was cancelled out two minutes from time by Jang Won-seok.

Bottom club Gangwon FC picked up its first win of the season with a 1-0 win over Busan I'Park with Lee Jung-ho getting the only goal of the game just before the break.

Nine K-League players were indicted for allegedly taking bribes to influence the outcome of games in April, a local prosecution office in the southeastern city of Changwon said in a statement on Thursday.

Eight were from Daejeon Citizen and one was from Gwangju, according to prosecutors and the Korea Football Association.

The prosecution statement did not identify the players.

Another player, from 2009 Asian champion Pohang Steelers, was indicted for allegedly betting on one of his own team's games after learning the outcome would be rigged, the statement said.

Four non-players, including two gambling brokers, were also indicted for allegedly handing bribes to players to have them fix games' results.

South Korean media said the two brokers were indicted last week while the rest were indicted on Thursday.

A former K-League player, who allegedly worked as another broker, was found dead in an apparent suicide last week.

The highest-profile player implicated so far in the scandal is Kim Dong-hyun, who is contracted to the league's military club, Sangju Sangmu, and has made six appearances for the national team.

Kim was arrested last week for allegedly introducing other players to 'fixers' who then bet large sums of money on illegal online gambling sites.

The Defence Ministry said on Thursday military prosecutors were reviewing whether to indict him.

Neither side were able to break the deadlock over the course of the 90 minutes and were forced to settle for a point apiece.

Sangju now trails leader Jeonbuk Motors by four points while Daegu remains in mid-table.

Former national team striker Kim Dong-hyun became the sixth player to be arrested on Wednesday and is the most high-profile of the group that is alleged to have accepted sums of around US$100,000 ($) from brokers operating on behalf of illegal betting sites based in South Korea and China to affect the outcome of games.

Until now matches in the K-League Cup had been under scrutiny, especially a 3-0 win for Pohang Steelers at Daejeon Citizen on 6 April. Three Daejeon players are among those detained while Pohang midfielder Kim Jung-gyum has been sacked by the club for allegedly betting on the outcome.

On 30 May, former Jeonbuk Motors player Jeong Jong-kwan was found dead in an apparent suicide, leaving a note that reportedly detailed his involvement. Police are set to expand their investigations to league games.

Authorities have moved quickly to try and restore public trust in Asia's oldest professional league, setting-up an anti-corruption committee to look into the situation while Korea Football Association (KFA) chief Cho Chung-yun told reporters in Seoul that FIFA would provide assistance.

"The recent turn of events surrounding match-fixing has betrayed the fans' trust and disgraced the name of our sport," said Cho, who attended the FIFA Congress in Zurich earlier in the week and met with officials from football's governing body.

"We need measures that will protect clubs and players from illegal activities. If necessary, FIFA will dispatch a team of inspectors to investigate situations.

"We will also rely on international cases to seek solutions to problems."

K-League players and officials gathered in Seoul for a hastily-convened workshop and pledged to clear the game of corruption.

"I understand how serious this matter is. We are going to take serious action," K-League CEO Chong Mong-gyu told a press conference.

"If we cannot root out match-fixing this time, it will happen again soon. I think this is our opportunity to reform the K-League."

K-League officials said the pledge was signed by 1100 people after an urgent two-day meeting aimed at eradicating match fixing and other illegal activities.

Players promised not to accept offers from gambling brokers and engage in any behaviour affecting the outcome of games.

The meeting came two weeks after the country's top professional league was hit by a match-fixing scandal, leading to the arrests of five players and two suspected fixers.

A 29-year-old midfielder for third-division professional league team Seoul United was found hanging Monday in an apparent suicide. In a note found in his hotel room, he apologised for his alleged role in the scandal.

Rumours abound about match-fixing in South Korea's professional football league.

Newspapers say football clubs tend to hush up such scandals and have been silently expelling players implicated in match-rigging since last year.

Players are exposed to growing temptation because the country's illicit online gambling sites, many of them operated by crime rings in South Korea and China, have been growing exponentially, news reports said.

The Korea Football Association said on Wednesday it would launch a new committee to investigate corruption.

A hotel employee in southern Seoul found Jeong Jong-Kwan, a 29-year-old midfielder for third-division professional league team Seoul United, dead in his room, police said on Monday.

The former Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors player had been missing since police said last week he was wanted for allegedly conveying money from match-fixing brokers to K-League players.

Police released what they said was a note left by the footballer, saying: "I'm ashamed to have been involved in match-fixing. All the players under investigation are my friends ... I did it and it's all my responsibility."

Police last week arrested two suspected fixers on charges of bribing a goalkeeper and a midfielder to rig matches, along with two players for the Daejeon Citizen team.

On Sunday they said they had arrested another three of the team's players. They have not said whether they believe any other teams to be involved in the scandal.

Rumours abound about match-fixing in South Korea's professional football league.

Newspapers say football clubs tend to hush up such scandals and have been silently expelling players implicated in match-rigging since last year.

Players are exposed to growing temptation because the country's illicit online gambling sites, many of them operated by crime rings in South Korea and China, have been growing exponentially, news reports said.

K-League commissioner Chung Mong-Kyu apologised for the scandal on Monday and vowed to hand out severe punishment to any players involved in match-fixing.

"It may be a painful process but we must eliminate anything that's detrimental to the fundamental spirit of football," he said.

Brazilian striker Jair put Jeju ahead in the first half while Australian defender Luke DeVere earned a point for the host in the second.

A last-minute Lee Sung-hyun strike saw Jeonbuk Motors twice come from behind to win 3-2 at Daejeon Citizen as the Jeonju team went two points clear at the top.

Hwang Jin-san put Daejeon ahead after 18 minutes and, although Lee Dong-guk headed home the equaliser from a Choo Chul-soon cross, Park Song-ho restored the host's lead from the spot before the break after Huang Bowen brought down Kim Sung-jun.

Jeonbuk looked set for defeat with eight minutes remaining, but Lee Dong-guk levelled once more and Lee Sung-hyun netted in the final minute to complete a great week after the Jeonbuk side also reached the last eight of the AFC Champions League.

"It was a very tough game but I am satisfied with the fact that we are back on top of the K-League," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.

"Daejeon played well in the first half but we used our substitutes well and came back in the second."

Suwon Bluewings also reached the last eight in Asia but crashed to a fifth defeat in the last six domestic games, losing 2-1 at Incheon United.

Jang Won-seok fired home a second-minute free-kick for the host but, 13 minutes later, Yeom Ki-hun curled a shot past the Incheon goalkeeper.

Just after the half-hour, Uzbekistan international Timur Kapadze converted what turned out to be the winner from the penalty spot.

Fellow Champions League quarter-finalist FC Seoul crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Seongnam Ilhwa, the host's second win of the season.

Cho Dong-keun broke the deadlock with 15 minutes remaining and Kim Jin-yong sealed the win soon after.

The three play for Daejeon Citizen, a club based in the central city of Daejeon, Yonhap news agency reports.

Two of the team's players and two suspected match-fixing brokers have already been arrested.

The detained players are suspected of receiving money to help fix the result of a 6 April match against Pohang Steelers, which Daejeon lost 3-0, Yonhap said.

Rumours abound about match-fixing in South Korea's professional football league.

Newspapers say football clubs tend to hush up such scandals and have been silently expelling players implicated in match-rigging since last year.

Players are exposed to growing temptation because the country's illicit online gambling sites, many of them operated by crime rings in South Korea and China, have been growing exponentially, news reports say.

The K-League will ask authorities to take its games off Sports Toto, the country's only licensed sports lottery, for a while to prevent match-fixing, league secretary-general Ahn Gi-Heon told reporters.

"Many club representatives felt it was only a few players (involved) and it shouldn't affect the entire league," Ahn said, adding his office will form a committee to eliminate corruption.

Kim Jae-sung put Pohang ahead after just six minutes and 12 minutes later, Kim Ki-dong added a second to give the Steelers a scent of victory.

However, Daegu hit back with two goals in eight minutes before the break, with An Sung-min closing the gap and Thiago Quirino equalising.

Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong said: "We controlled the game but lost concentration at crucial times and it is frustrating to lose a two-goal lead.

"In the second half we did all we could to score but we just didn't have any luck in front of goal."

Jeonbuk Motors can return to the summit with a win on Sunday afternoon (local time).

Sangju Sangmu stays third with a goalless draw at home to bottom club Gangwon FC, while Ulsan Horang-I won 1-0 at Chunnam Dragons with Kang Min-soo scoring the only goal of the game after 13 minutes.

Elsewhere, Busan I'Park drew 1-1 at home to Gwangju FC - with Lim Sang-hyub getting the goal for the host before Jaoa Paolo bagged a late equaliser.

A report in the Munhwa Ilbo newspaper gave a larger figure for the numbers involved, saying 10 players from three clubs in the K-League were being investigated for fixing matches.

A spokesman for the prosecution office in the southeastern city of Changwon said the two alleged fixers were charged with bribing the two players - a goalkeeper and a midfielder - to rig the results of matches.

"We've asked for arrest warrants for the two players," the spokesman told AFP. "We will leave no stone unturned and expand the probe if necessary."

He said the two players, who were not identified, were being questioned on Thursday.

Prosecutors said the two alleged fixers purchased sports lottery tickets and paid the two players to fix games in order to win large sums.

"We are investigating if the lottery was legal and how much money they won," a prosecutor was quoted as saying by Dong-A Ilbo newspaper.

The suspected fixers, including a former professional player, allegedly handed 100 million won ($91,716) to the goalkeeper and 120 million won to the midfielder last month in return for rigging a tournament.

The goalkeeper appeared in four games between 16 March and 11 May and let in a total of 11 goals, causing his team to lose three out of the four matches.

The midfielder played in one game and committed four fouls before being replaced after a break. His team lost that game.

Chosun Ilbo newspaper said a third player, a 27-year-old striker who once played for the national team, was being investigated for suspected involvement in match-fixing.

Rumours abound about match-fixing in the country's pro football league.

Dong-A quoted an unidentified former player as saying that football clubs tend to hush up such scandals and have been silently expelling players implicated in match-rigging since last year.

Players are exposed to growing temptation because the country's illicit online gambling sites, many of them operated by crime rings in South Korea and China, have been growing exponentially, news reports said.

Brazilian striker Mota headed against the post in the second half, the closest the three-time continental champion came to breaking the deadlock.

"Going top is not as important as improving our overall sharpness and form," said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong after the game.

"It was a frustrating game but we came up against a determined opponent today."

Ulsan Horang-I collected a welcome 3-2 win at home to fellow struggler Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Kim Shin-wook opened the scoring after 13 minutes only for Cho Dong-keun to level proceedings 13 minutes later.

Seol Ki-hyeon quickly restored Ulsan's lead but there was still time for Cho to get his and Seongnam's second before the break.

Kwak Tae-hwi grabbed the winner for Ulsan with 10 minutes remaining.

In the day's other fixture, Incheon United won 1-0 at Gwangju FC thanks to a second-half strike from Han Kyo-won.

Coach Choi Kang-hee rested a number of players ahead of Tuesday's AFC Champions League clash with Tianjin Teda of China, but the 2006 continental champion took the points despite a below-par display.

Croatian striker Krunoslav Lovrek scored the goal midway through the first half in wet conditions, receiving a pass from Park Won-jae on the left and stabbing home after his first attempt came back off a defender.

"We had lots of chances to get the second goal in the first half," said Choi after the game. "We failed to do so and made things difficult for ourselves."

Pohang Steelers can recapture top spot with a win on Sunday.

FC Seoul suffered the worst possible preparation for its date at home to Kashima Antlers as it crashed to a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Daegu FC. Lee Sang-deok headed home a corner on the stroke of half-time and Ahn Seong-min sealed the win midway through the second half.

Suwon Bluewings also faces Japanese opposition in the AFC Champions League, hosting Nagoya Grampus, and also lost at home - 2-1 to an in-form Busan I'Park.

Suwon has been struggling of late and fell behind to a 12th-minute strike from Lee Jung-hyo but a headed own goal from Kim Han-yun after 64 minutes put the host level. With two minutes remaining, however, Yang Dong-hyun gave Busan the three points.

Elsewhere, Chunnam Dragons won 1-0 at Jeju United thanks to a goal just after the hour from Ji Dong-won, while Sangju Sangmu won 1-0 at Gyeongnam FC thanks to a Kim In-han own goal with 10 minutes remaining.

Brazilian striker Suba grabbed a hat-trick for the home side, including a 79th-minute penalty winner, after goals from Lee Dong-gook and Park Won-Jae had put Jeonbuk in control.

Jeju United moved up to third with a 1-0 victory at Ulsan Hyundai - Park Hyun-beom netting the only goal 14 minutes into the second half.

Ko Yo Han scored twice as FC Seoul beat Gyeongnam 3-1.

Dejan Damjanovic also scored with Kim In-han netting for the visitor.

Incheon United and Busan I'Park drew 0-0 while a late Aleksandr Geynrikh goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Suwon Bluewings at Seongnam Chunma.

Sasha Ognenovski had earlier put Seongnam ahead from the spot.

Lee Dong-guk put Jeonbuk ahead after 37 minutes with a shot that took a deflection and when Park Won-jae extended the lead five minutes later, the Motors looked set to pull clear at the top.

Shin Hyung-min headed a goal back just before the hour, however, and shortly afterwards Jeonbuk's Jung Hoon was sent off for a second yellow.

Adrian Chuva headed home the equaliser from Hwang Jin-sung's corner with 17 minutes remaining. Both sides looked for the winner and Chuva grabbed his second and Pohang's third seven minutes later from the penalty spot after Kim Sang-sik handled.

"I told the team at half-time that they shouldn't give up," said Pohang coach Hwang Sun-hong. "They kept going until the end and I am delighted with the victory after a frustrating first half."

Jeonbuk boss Choi Kang-hee said: "It was a game between first and second and as you would expect, both teams did their best to win.

"We controlled the first half and Pohang controlled the second."

FC Seoul made it three straight wins by defeating Gyeongnam 3-1 at home. Dejan Damjanovic opened the scoring after just nine minutes and though Kim In-han equalised for the visitors just before the break, Ko Yo-han scored twice in the second half.

Sasa Ognenovski put Seongnam Ilhwa ahead against Suwon Bluewings from the penalty spot after 57 minutes only to see Alexander Geynrikh pop up with the equaliser three minutes from time.

Jeju United won 1-0 at Ulsan Horang-i thanks to a goal from Park Hyun-beom on the hour while Incheon United and Busan I'Park drew 0-0.

The 2006 AFC Champions League winner booked its place in the second round of this year's competition on Tuesday with a win at the home of Chinese champion Shandong Luneng and continued its winning streak in front of a big crowd at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

Jeonbuk broke the deadlock five minutes after the break. A free-kick from the right was headed back across goal by Cho Sung-hwan towards the unmarked Kim Dong-chan. The striker had time to chest the ball down inside the six yard-box before smashing a shot past goalkeeper Kim Young-kwang.

"It has been a very busy period for us and this month will also be busy," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee after the game.

"So I am happy that we were able to collect three points in what was a tough match for us."

Pohang Steelers will be able to recapture top spot in its Sunday afternoon (local time) clash at Busan I'Park.

In the day's other fixture Suwon Bluewings, which also booked its place in the last 16 of the continental competition in midweek, lost 2-1 to Chunnam Dragons.

Kwak Hee-ju scored in that 3-1 win over Sydney FC and did the same again midway through the first half, heading home a Yeom Ki-hun corner but after the break Lee Hyun-sung and Ji Dong-won scored.

Lee Seung-ki put Gwangju ahead after eight minutes and the host doubled its advantage through Joao Paulo shortly after the half-hour mark.

Daejeon pulled one back on the stroke of half-time thanks to a Kim Chang-hoon goal but the visitor could not find an equaliser. The win moved Gwangju up to 11th.

In a game played during thunderstorms at Seoul World Cup Stadium, the champion recorded just its second win of the season and the first since Hwangbo Kwan resigned as coach on Monday.

Caretaker boss Choi Yong-soo saw Jeju take a first-half lead as Park Hyun-beom curled a left-foot shot into the top corner from just inside the area.

Seoul hit back on the hour in simple fashion. Mauricio Molina floated in a free-kick that was headed home by an unmarked Park Yong-ho.

Koh Myung-jin then rounded goalkeeper Yoo Song-ho Ho-jun with 10 minutes remaining for the winner as Seoul triumphed in the battle of the AFC Champions League participants.

Seoul entertains Al Ain in midweek while Jeju travels to China to take on Tianjin Teda.

"The players gave their all to give us the win," said Choi.

"We have eight games in May so we have a busy schedule and we need to get ready for that."

Another continental challenger Suwon Bluewings lost 1-0 at Sangju Sangmu as Koh Cha-won scored the only goal of the game with a diving header after 70 minutes.

Pohang Steelers stays top despite being held to a goalless draw at home to bottom club Gangwon FC.

Jeonbuk Motors is just two points behind after winning 6-2 at Incheon United. Lee Dong-gook scored twice for the visitor with Lim Yoo-hwan, Eninho, Kim Dong-chan and Jung Sung-hoon getting the others.

Han Kyo-won and Bae hyo-sung netted the Incheon goals.

Busan I'Park defeated Chunnam Dragons 3-0 thanks to goals from Lim Sang-hyub, Lee Jung-ho and Han Sang-woon, while Ulsan Horang-I came back from Juninho's early strike to win 2-1 at home to Daegu with Koh Sul-gi and Kim Sin-wook on target.

Finally, Gyeongnam FC fought back from two goals down at home to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to draw 2-2.

An own goal from Lee Yong-gi after 12 minutes and a Cho Dong-keun effort put Seongnam in control until Lucio and then Kim Yong-woo struck to earn the host a point.