Japanese Media Shocked! 'Korea-China Match with Only 4,426 Fans is Unbelievable' - East Asian Cup Faces Worst Box Office Crisis

The Shocking Reality: Empty Stands at Korea's Home Tournament

The 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship, commonly known as the East Asian Cup, was supposed to mark a triumphant return to Korean soil after six years. However, the tournament's opening match between South Korea and China on July 7th at Yongin Mireu Stadium painted a starkly different picture than organizers had hoped for.

With a stadium capacity of 37,000 seats, only 4,426 spectators showed up to witness what should have been a marquee matchup between two Asian football powerhouses. This represented a mere 12% capacity, leaving vast sections of the stadium eerily empty and creating an atmosphere that felt more like a training session than an international tournament opener.

The sparse attendance didn't go unnoticed by regional media, particularly in Japan. Japanese outlet 'Football Zone' reported with evident surprise: 'Hong Myung-bo's Korea achieved a comfortable victory, but the stands were somewhat empty.' This observation from Japanese media highlighted how the poor turnout had become a talking point beyond Korea's borders, potentially damaging the tournament's regional reputation.

The visual impact was undeniable. Television broadcasts showed more empty seats than occupied ones, with the first-floor stands appearing particularly barren. Even after kickoff, the atmosphere remained subdued, lacking the electric energy typically associated with international football matches. For a tournament being held on home soil, this was nothing short of embarrassing for Korean football authorities.

Korea's Dominant Performance Overshadowed by Attendance Woes

Despite the disappointing turnout, the Korean national team delivered a commanding performance that should have had fans flocking to the stadium. Under Hong Myung-bo's tactical guidance, Korea dismantled China with a comprehensive 3-0 victory that showcased the team's potential ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The scoring opened early when Lee Dong-gyeong of Gimcheon Sangmu produced a moment of magic in the 8th minute. His perfectly curled left-footed strike from outside the box found the top corner, giving Korea the perfect start and silencing any doubts about the team's attacking capabilities without their European-based stars.

The second goal came through excellent teamwork in the 21st minute. Lee Tae-seok of Pohang Steelers delivered a precise cross that Joo Min-kyu of Daejeon Hana Citizen met with a powerful header, doubling Korea's advantage before halftime. The goal demonstrated the domestic players' ability to step up on the international stage.

Kim Ju-sung of FC Seoul sealed the victory in the 56th minute, capitalizing on a corner kick situation to score his first international goal. The striker showed great composure to convert the rebound after the Chinese goalkeeper's initial save, completing a dominant display that extended Korea's winning streak against China to six matches.

Hong Myung-bo's tactical approach proved highly effective, with the team employing a surprise three-back formation that allowed for greater attacking fluidity while maintaining defensive solidity. The performance suggested that Korea's domestic talent pool remains strong, even without the presence of Son Heung-min and other Europe-based players.

Multiple Factors Behind the Attendance Disaster

The poor attendance wasn't the result of a single factor but rather a perfect storm of circumstances that deterred fans from attending. The match was scheduled for a weekday evening, immediately creating accessibility issues for working fans who might have struggled to reach the venue in time for the 8 PM kickoff.

Location played a crucial role in the low turnout. Yongin Mireu Stadium, while a modern facility, is not easily accessible by public transportation compared to more centrally located venues in Seoul. The stadium's location in Yongin's Samga-dong area requires significant travel time from major population centers, making it inconvenient for casual fans to attend.

Weather conditions also worked against the organizers. On match day, the perceived temperature reached 33 degrees Celsius with 73% humidity, creating uncomfortable conditions for spectators. With a heatwave warning in effect, many potential attendees likely chose to watch from the comfort of their air-conditioned homes rather than endure the sweltering heat.

The absence of major star players, particularly Son Heung-min and other Europe-based Korean internationals, significantly reduced the match's appeal. The East Asian Cup doesn't fall within FIFA's international match calendar, preventing the participation of overseas-based players. This limitation meant fans couldn't see their favorite stars in action, reducing the incentive to attend.

Ticket pricing and marketing strategies may have also contributed to the poor turnout. Without aggressive promotional campaigns or attractive pricing structures, the tournament failed to capture the public's imagination or create the sense of urgency needed to drive attendance.

Regional Media Reaction and International Embarrassment

The attendance crisis didn't escape the attention of regional media, with Japanese outlets expressing genuine surprise at the poor turnout. This international scrutiny added another layer of embarrassment for Korean football authorities, who had hoped to showcase the country's football culture to a regional audience.

Chinese media also took notice, with some outlets using the poor attendance as evidence of declining interest in the East Asian Cup format. Sohu.com, a major Chinese sports portal, commented on the stark contrast between the empty stands and the significance of the Korea-China rivalry, suggesting that even traditional football rivalries were losing their appeal to modern audiences.

The international media coverage highlighted how the attendance issue had become a story in itself, potentially overshadowing the actual football being played. For a tournament designed to strengthen regional football ties and provide valuable competitive experience, the focus on empty seats represented a significant public relations failure.

Social media reactions from international football fans were mixed, with some expressing sympathy for the challenging circumstances while others questioned the viability of the East Asian Cup format in its current form. The visual impact of empty stands was particularly damaging in the social media age, where images of sparse crowds can quickly go viral and damage a tournament's reputation.

Community Response and Fan Sentiment Analysis

Korean football communities showed divided reactions to the attendance crisis, with discussions ranging from understanding to frustration. On popular platforms like DC Inside and FM Korea, fans debated the various factors contributing to the poor turnout while expressing disappointment at the visual impact on television broadcasts.

Many fans expressed sympathy for the players, noting that the team's excellent performance deserved better support from the home crowd. Comments on Naver Sports and other platforms praised the team's tactical discipline and individual performances while lamenting the missed opportunity to create a memorable atmosphere.

Some community members defended the low attendance, pointing to legitimate concerns about accessibility, weather conditions, and the absence of star players. These fans argued that the criticism was unfair given the challenging circumstances surrounding the match.

However, a significant portion of the online football community expressed embarrassment at the international attention the poor attendance had received. Many fans worried about the long-term impact on Korea's reputation as a football-loving nation and called for better organization of future tournaments.

The incident sparked broader discussions about the future of the East Asian Cup format and whether changes were needed to make the tournament more appealing to modern audiences. Some suggested moving matches to more accessible venues or adjusting the scheduling to avoid conflicts with work and weather-related issues.

Looking Forward: Lessons and Future Implications

The attendance crisis at the East Asian Cup opener serves as a wake-up call for Korean football authorities and tournament organizers. The incident highlighted the need for more comprehensive planning that considers fan accessibility, weather conditions, and marketing strategies to ensure successful events.

For future tournaments, organizers must prioritize venue selection based on accessibility rather than just facility quality. While Yongin Mireu Stadium offers excellent playing conditions, its location proved problematic for attracting large crowds. Future events might benefit from using more centrally located venues with better public transportation links.

The scheduling of matches also requires reconsideration. Weekday evening kickoffs, while convenient for television broadcasts, clearly present challenges for live attendance. Weekend scheduling or earlier kickoff times might help address some of the accessibility issues that contributed to the poor turnout.

Marketing and promotional strategies need significant improvement to generate excitement and awareness about upcoming matches. The tournament's low profile in the lead-up to the opening match suggested insufficient promotional efforts to engage potential spectators.

Despite the attendance disappointment, the quality of football displayed by the Korean team provides hope for the future. The players' professional approach and excellent performance demonstrated that domestic talent remains strong and capable of entertaining crowds when given the opportunity. The challenge now lies in creating the conditions necessary to showcase this talent before appreciative audiences.

The East Asian Cup's future may depend on addressing these fundamental issues around accessibility, scheduling, and promotion. Without significant changes, the tournament risks becoming increasingly irrelevant to both fans and players, potentially undermining its role in regional football development.