"Ulsan's early elimination + failure to board the last train in Pohang." K-League's Asian stage, Salim Gwangju's struggle without it + Jeonbuk cruise
"Ulsan's early elimination + failure to board the last train in Pohang." K-League's Asian stage, Salim Gwangju's struggle without it + Jeonbuk cruise
Blog Article
The joys and sorrows of the K League club's challenge to the Asian stage have been divided.
Pohang Steelers lost 2-5 in the eighth round of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) league phase of the 2024/25 season against Johor Darlle Takjim at Stadium Sultan Ibrahim Larkin in Iskandar Puteri, Malaysia, at 9 p.m. on the 18th (Korea time).
If Pohang had won, it would have secured at least eighth place to advance to the round of 16, but it was a setback. It failed to board the last train.
Pohang succeeded in gaining the upper hand in the 27th minute of the first half when Lee Ho-jae scored the first goal, but bowed his head 10 minutes later when he allowed a run.
Pohang later collapsed as it dedicated a series of runs, and Kang Hyun-je opened the scoring in the 40th minute of the second half, but failed to turn the game around.
Ulsan HD suffered the humiliation of being eliminated early. One game left against Shandong Taishan, but it failed to advance to the round of 16 regardless of the result.
Ulsan was particularly weak in the ACLE stage. In the beginning, it lost its pride as it remained in the last place. The team was sluggish enough to win its first win in the sixth round of the league phase.
Ulsan lost 1-2 to Buriram United in Game 7 of the league phase, ending its ACLE challenge this season.
Ulsan has not been able to get out of the swamp of sluggishness, catching up with the promoted team FC Anyang in the opening game of the K League 1.
Gwangju FC struggled even in the absence of players. As coach Lee Jung-hyo's tactics shone through, he rose to the top in the early stages.
Gwangju showed its competitiveness on the ACLE stage even though it was not able to reinforce properly due to a ban on recruitment for violating the K-League financial fair play during last season.
Gwangju has achieved an early advance to the round of 16 and continues its challenge to ACLE.
Jeonbuk Hyundai is cruising smoothly in the AFC Champions League 2. It defeated Port FC 4-0 in the first round match of the round of 16. 안전놀이터
Jeonbuk's second leg of the round of 16 is expected to win easily as it will be played on its home turf.
Jeonbuk made a dark history of dropping the K-League promotion playoff last season, and it is aiming to turn the mood around by trying to win the ACLT.