Ulsan Hyundai overcame the crisis on its own. maintained its leading position.
Ulsan Hyundai won 1-0 in the ‘Hanawon Q K League 1 2023’ away game against Gwangju FC held at the Gwangju Soccer Stadium on the 2nd. Ulsan (16 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses) won 4 consecutive wins and kept its first place. Ulsan has been undefeated in 16 matches (16 wins, 5 draws) for 8 years since August 29, 2015 against Gwangju. Based on the 20th round of the K-League, it tied for the highest number of points ever. In 2018, Jeonbuk Hyundai also accumulated 50 points in 20 games.토토사이트
Ulsan used the 4-2-3-1 tactic. Joo Min-gyu took the lead. Kang Yun-goo, Ataru, and Jo Hyun-taek helped from behind. As a defensive midfielder, Kim Min-hyeok and Lee Gyu-seong matched their feet. Lee Myung-jae, Kim Young-kwon, Kim Ki-hee, and Kim Tae-hwan were located in the four-back. Cho Hyeon-woo kept the goal.
Gwangju came out with a 4-4-2 formation. Lee Hee-gyun and Thomas led the attack. Jeong Ji-hoon, Lee Sun-min, Jeong Ho-yeon, and Kim Han-gil coordinated the midfield. The defense was handled by Lee Min-ki, Ahn Young-gyu, Timo, and Doo Hyun-seok. The goalkeeper gloves were worn by Lee Jun.
Prior to the match, Ulsan was ranked first with a record of 15 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses (47 points). Gwangju (8 wins, 4 draws, 7 losses) was in 7th place. However, the mood ahead of the game was quite different. Ulsan held a close match against Jeju United on the 28th of last month in the quarterfinals of the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup, leading to a penalty shootout. Gwangju took advantage of the rotation against Jeonbuk Hyundai to gain a physical advantage. Also, Gwangju was on a three-game winning streak recently.
Hong Myung-bo, manager of Ulsan Hyundai. Photo courtesy of Korea Professional Football Federation
Lee Jeong-hyo, head coach of Gwangju FC. Photo courtesy of Korea Professional Football Federation
Before the final match, Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo said, “It is clear that Gwangju is in a good overall condition. “I think it’s important not to give problems. I think we should play the game while increasing ball possession.” Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo said, “I am worried because there are many foxy players in Ulsan. I didn’t have it, so I explained enough about it.”
The match has begun. As predicted, Gwangju put strong pressure on Ulsan. Ulsan brought the atmosphere by breaking the opponent’s flow with a foul. Kim Min-hyeok’s shot aimed at the opponent’s goal. In the 28th minute of the first half, Ulsan replaced Cho Hyeon-taek and Kang Yun-goo with Bako and Park Yong-woo to increase the intensity of the attack. However, neither team scored in the first 45 minutes. It ended 0-0.
At the start of the second half, Gwangju replaced Jeong Ji-hoon with Um Ji-seong, making a difference. Ulsan also took out Lee Gyu-seong and put Lee Chung-yong in to counter the fire. It was Ulsan that got the mood. Ulsan took a 1-0 lead with Park Yong-woo’s opening goal from a corner kick in the 14th minute of the second half. Park Yong-woo connected Lee Myung-jae’s corner kick with a surprise header, shaking Gwangju’s net. Park Yong-woo exploded his first league goal wearing an Ulsan uniform after being discharged. He greeted the Ulsan fans at a 90 degree angle. It was an apology for the recent controversy over racial discrimination and the loss of a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals of the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup.
Gwangju, in a hurry, increased the intensity of the attack. In the 28th minute of the second half, he took a free kick opportunity due to an opponent foul. The referee originally declared a penalty kick, but it was judged to be a foul outside the penalty box and was corrected with a free kick. Asani fired a decisive shot, but bowed his head to Ulsan goalkeeper Cho Hyeon-woo’s save.
Ulsan used the replacement card once more. In the 32nd minute of the second half, Martin Adam and Seol Young-woo were replaced by Ataru and Lee Myung-jae. Gwangju also raised the number of victories. With about 4 minutes left before the end of regular time, Lee Min-ki, Du Hyun-seok, and Thomas were replaced by Lee Sang-gi, Lee Kang-hyun, and Lee Kun-hee. However, Ulsan’s back heart was stronger. He calmly endured 6 minutes of extra time. Ulsan took 3 points from the away game.