K-League set for kick off as soccer resumes in South Korea

South Korea’s soccer league will kick off season Friday, three days after first pitch was thrown in baseball, in yet ar sign that life in country is starting to return to rmal after strenuous efforts to contain coronavirus.

K-League had been scheduled to start Feb.29 but on that day re were 909 infections of virus, country’s highest daily total. After weeks of extensive testing and tracing, that number has fallen to single figures since mid-April.

Soccer authorities have regularly consulted with medical experts and were advised that if number of new cases fell below 30 for two weeks, n league season could start.

And so action begins with defending champion Jeonbuk Motors facing Suwon Bluewings on Friday night in southwestern city of Jeonju.

“Thanks to hard work of South Korean medical workers and population’s active participation in social distancing, league can start,” K-League President Kwon Oh-gap told Associated Press. “Also, we appreciate that clubs and players have fully cooperated in preparation process.”

re are restrictions, however. fans will be allowed in stadiums, many which were built for 2002 World Cup and have capacities of over 40,000. Although K-League officials are hopeful that this will change within weeks rar than months.

Friday night’s curtain raiser will be followed by three games on Saturday as Ulsan Horangi, runner-up in 2019, hosts Sangju Sangmu, Incheon United faces Daegu FC and Gwangju takes on Seongnam. first round concludes Sunday with Pohang Steelers playing Busan I’Park and FC Seoul traveling to Gangwon FC.

For all South Korea’s success in containing virus — country has reported 10,810 cases of COVID-19 and 256 deaths — re is a recognition that new cases could surface at any time. 12-team league, which paid for 1,100 test on players and staff at end of April that all came back negative, has already been shortened from 38 rounds to 27. That number could be reduced furr to 22 games if necessary.

“Our goal is to keep a close eye on situation and finish season without a problem,” Kwon said. “If re is a case of virus in a team during season, that team and any team y played against will be suspended for at least two weeks.”

With soccer around world virtually shuttered amid pandemic, K-League, has sold international broadcasting rights to more than 10 countries.

Hong Jeong-ho, South Korea and Jeonbuk defender, said it sets st for international and local fans to see caliber of K-League.

“We have chance to let football fans from around world kw that re are many good players in out country if we perform to our best on pitch," Hong was quoted to say on Asian Football Confederation's website. “I feel even more grateful that I can play football and I realize importance of game and of fans."

TV viewers will be able to see for mselves how new safety measures will work. Players will t shake hands with each or, and spitting and conversations at close quarters on field are prohibited with K-League ready to impose sanctions on repeat offenders.South Korea President Moon Jae-in has welcomed return of sport to country.

“ world will learn, with a close look, how to enjoy sports while making quarantine and everyday life coexist,” president posted on social media. “I expect sports to give hope to people desiring recovery of ir daily lives.“To that end, opening of sports season should be well established in harmony with quarantine.”

(Im Credit: AP)