Definition
The 2015 Korean FA Cup (also referred to as the 2015 KFA Cup) was the 20th edition of South Korea’s annual knockout football competition, organized by the Korea Football Association (KFA). The tournament determined the national cup champion for the 2015 season and provided the winner with a berth in the 2016 AFC Champions League group stage.
Overview
The competition began on 22 March 2015 and concluded with the final on 7 December 2015. A total of 83 clubs participated, encompassing professional teams from the K League Classic (now K League 1) and K League Challenge (now K League 2), as well as semi‑professional and amateur clubs from lower divisions and university leagues. The tournament followed a single‑elimination format, with matches decided by extra time and penalty shoot‑outs if necessary.
FC Seoul emerged as champions, defeating Suwon Samsung Bluewings 2–0 in the final held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. This victory marked FC Seoul’s second Korean FA Cup title. As champions, FC Seoul secured qualification for the 2016 AFC Champions League. The top scorer of the tournament was Lee Jae‑sung of FC Seoul, who recorded five goals.
Etymology/Origin
The term “FA Cup” derives from the original “Football Association Challenge Cup” established by the English Football Association in 1871. South Korea adopted a similar cup competition in 1996, naming it the Korean FA Cup to parallel the historic English tournament. The “2015” prefix simply denotes the calendar year in which the edition was contested.
Characteristics
- Format: Straight knockout rounds; early rounds involve regional qualifiers among amateur sides, followed by entry of professional clubs in later stages.
- Match Rules: Standard 90‑minute regulation time; if tied, two 15‑minute periods of extra time are played, followed by a penalty shoot‑out if necessary.
- Qualification Reward: The champion receives an automatic spot in the following year’s AFC Champions League group stage, representing South Korea at the continental level.
- Broadcasting: Matches were televised domestically on KBS, SBS, and local sports networks, with selected games streamed online.
- Sponsorship: The tournament was sponsored by various corporate partners, with naming rights occasionally reflecting the principal sponsor’s brand.
Related Topics
- Korean FA Cup (general overview)
- 2015 K League Classic season
- 2015 K League Challenge season
- AFC Champions League
- FC Seoul (club history and achievements)
- Suwon Samsung Bluewings (club history and achievements)
- Korea Football Association (governing body)