Ulsan won 3-2 against Pohang Steelers in the 36th round of the "Hana One Q K League 1 2023" at Ulsan Munsu Stadium on the 12th. Ulsan finished the 'East Coast Derby' this season with two wins and two draws. On the other hand, Pohang (60 points) continued to win six league games (4 draws and 2 losses), failing to widen the gap with Gwangju FC (58 points).
Pohang inevitably used three under-22 (U-22) resources on this day. This is because Kim Seung-dae and Ko Young-jun were injured and left in the match against Urawa Reds (Japan) in the Asian Champions League (ACL) on the 8th, as well as Baek Sung-dong and Jung Jae-hee. Both are expected to take two to three weeks to recover.
In Pohang, Hong Yoon-sang is second in lineKang Hyun-je and Yoon Jae-woon were placed. It was the first combination to operate. In particular, Kang Hyun-je made his debut in the K League. Before the game, Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong sighed, saying, "Seven players were missing in Ju-jeon," and added, "(Kang) Hyun-je is his debut match. I hope it surprises Ulsan again. We played well (against Ulsan). I would be worried if I lost without doing well, but I look forward to it because I did well enough. I want to win," he stressed.
Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo said, "If the opponent's ace does not play, there is a psychological margin," adding, "It is the fourth face-off." know the pros and cons of an opponent. It's important how well we build up. This line-up is actually more burdensome," he said, keeping his guard up.
Pohang did not fall behind against Ulsan. In the 31st minute of the first half, two U-22 resources expected by head coach Kim combined for the first goal. Yoon Jae-woon, who succeeded in breaking through the right side, crossed. Kang Hyun-je, who was jumping in, pushed it with his right foot and shook the net.
Pohang opened in the 7th minute of the first half with Kang Hyun-je's right-footed shot. When Ulsan built up, Lee Chung-yong came down to the last and carried the ball himself. However, the attack was not easy.
In the 26th minute of the first half, Jang Si-young's left-footed shot was blocked by Pohang defender Grant. Pohang scored the first goal in the 31st minute of the first half. Yoon Jae-woon crossed after breaking through the right side. Kang Hyun-je, who was jumping in, pushed it with his right foot and shook the net.
Ulsan launched a barrage of attacks after losing a point. Seol Young-woo's left-footed shot in front of the penalty box in the extra time of the first half went off the post. Ulsan failed to score in the first half. Ulsan struggled to the extent that it had one effective shot in the first half.
However, Ulsan successfully fought back in the second half. He scored the equalizer in a minute. Striker Joo Min-kyu's right foot shot hit the crossbar, which Seol Young-woo did not miss and finished lightly. Four minutes later, he even scored a come-from-behind goal. Ataru calmly connected Kim Tae-hwan's ball from the right side with a right-footed non-stop shot and split the goal.
Pohang also tried to turn around by adding Lee Ho-jae and Kim In-sung one after another following Shim Sang-min. However, Ulsan even scored an additional goal in the 17th minute of the second half. Joo Min-kyu connected Eom Won-sang's cross with a header and scored a wedge goal. Pohang made a change by using two more replacement cards with 32 minutes left in the second half. In the 37th minute of the second half, Lee Ho-jae's penalty kick chased him by one goal.
Pohang continued to take the form of attacks. Grant's consecutive left-footed shots were blocked by Ulsan goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo's super save. Ulsan strengthened its defense by putting in Jung Seung-hyun and Cho Hyun-taek in extra time in the second half.
