South Korea's K-League kicks off with fans watching from afar

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 General view during the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

The 2020 K-League season started on Friday with a match between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Suwon Samsung Bluewings played without spectators after a delay of more than two months caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Jeonju World Cup Stadium, home turf of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, was not filled with fans but giant yellow and white cards saying "#CU SOON STAY STRONG" were placed on empty seats, while coaches and substitutes wore face masks.

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 General view during the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Broadcasters from 10 countries, mostly in Asia and Europe, have bought rights for the season and South Korea's football association K-League live-streamed Friday's match on Twitter and YouTube with English commentary.

Han Dong-min, a Bluewings fan who usually watches games in the stadium, was rooting for his team at a pub in Suwon, on the outskirts of Seoul.

"I was really happy to watch a football match even it was without fans," said the 22-year-old Han after his team's 1-0 defeat.

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Players come out before the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

After a goalless first half, Jeonbuk striker Lee Dong-gook scored in the 83rd minute to clinch victory for the defending champions.

Lee celebrated the goal with sign language meaning respect, joining the "Thanks To You Challenge" in South Korea to express gratitude to medical workers fighting hard to tackle the virus.

"I was disappointed as all football games around the world were suspended because of the coronavirus," said Lee Sang-hyup, a 24-year-old Bluewings fan in Suwon.

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's Gue-sung Jo in action, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

"But after watching today's game, I feel like my heart is beating after a long time."

South Korea, which has conducted widespread testing, intensive contact tracing and tracking apps to contain the spread of the virus, eased social distancing rules from May 6.

The K-League opener followed the start of South Korea's baseball league on May 5, which attracted fans of Major League Baseball (MLB) craving to watch games with MLB on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 General view during the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

The K League is Asia's oldest professional league, dating back to 1983, and teams will play 27 matches this season, down from 38 due to the delay caused by the coronavirus.

(Reporting by Soohyun Mah in Suwon and Jane Chung in Seoul; Additional reporting by Chaeyoun Won in Jeonju, editing by Ed Osmond)

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Players react at the end of the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Dong-gook Lee celebrates after scoring their first goal, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's Jung-ho Hong heads at goal, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Yong Lee and Suwon Samsung Bluewings' Jun-jae Myeong after the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji

Soccer Football - 2020 K League 1 - Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC v Suwon Samsung Bluewings - Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju, South Korea - May 8, 2020 Players wearing masks sit on the bench before the match, despite most sports being cancelled around the world the local league starts behind closed doors due to the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) REUTERS/Kim Hong-Ji