With the Chuseok holidays in South Korea over , it is traditionally time for local fans to put down their chopsticks and check out the race for the play - offs . Past battles have been thrilling and this season is no different . As always , there are teams that have long harbored greater ambitions than merely finishing in the top six to book a place in play - offs . Seoul currently occupies the sought - after top spot with 47 points , Jeonbuk has 45 and Pohang has 41 points and a game in hand . There are benefits in straddling the top of the standings . The teams that finished third to sixth in the table go to the play - offs but must battle it out with each other . The one that emerges from that four - way tussle will take on the second - place team . The winner progresses to the championship decider against the team that finished first . Seoul is currently in pole position . Coach Senol Gunes , who led Turkey to third place at the 2002 World Cup , is in his third and probably last season in Korea . More than the K - League , the prize he really wants is in the Asian Champions League - one that naturally receives more international acclaim and provides a place at FIFA ` s Club World Cup held every December . It didn ` t happen . Seoul fell at the quarterfinal stage last week at the hands of Umm Salal of Qatar . Seoul lost 4 - 3 over two legs . The elimination caused Gunes to utter a line uttered by coaches around the world since cup competitions , both domestic and international , came into existence : " We can now concentrate on the league . " The team did just that on Sunday and bounced back from the Asian heartbreak to win 2 - 0 at Jeju United and the club is two points clear at the top of the table above Jeonbuk . Pohang Steelers are currently in third place but Pohang ` s bid for the top spot could be derailed by their heroics in this season ` s Asian Champions League . Last Wednesday was a night that will live long in the memories of all Steelers ` fans . After losing the first leg of the quarterfinal in Uzbekistan 3 - 1 the previous week , the Gyeongsang Province team had a mountain to climb at the Steelyard . Pohang destroyed Bunyodkor , which is the richest club in Asia and coached by Luiz Felipe Scolari , with soccer of such intensity it blew the Central Asians away . That 4 - 1 second leg win gave Pohang a 5 - 4 aggregate victory and a place in the semifinals . There the Steelers waited to see if they would be joined by FC Seoul but were disappointed as the capital club couldn ` t join its Gyeongsang cousin . Pohang drew 2 - 2 with Incheon United on Sunday and are now six points off the pace set by Seoul , although they have played a game less . Still , with time running out and a long trip to Qatar to come later this month , it may be tough . Pohang have their big chance when they host Seoul on Wednesday . Failure to win that may mean the Steelers having to settle for third . ( johnduerden @ hotmail . com ) By John Duerden / Contributing writer