The early run of Ulsan Hyundai, which is challenging its first two-game losing streak after its founding, is scary. They set up a solo system early on and are aiming for the top again, and this hurdle is important. If you win in a confrontation with FC Seoul, which is showing a completely different look from last year, there is a high probability that the situation will continue for a while.
Ulsan will play the 13th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 with Seoul at Munsu Soccer Stadium in Ulsan at 2:30 pm on the 14th. It is a head-to-head clash between the current league 1-2.
Ulsan currently leads the league with 10 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss (31 points).
Ulsan, which reached the top of the K-League 1 last year for the first time in 17 years, is showing off its terrifying momentum this season by sweeping 10 wins in 12 games, including 6 consecutive wins since the opening.
Ulsan is recording 23 goals and 9 points in 12 games. It is an ideal air-defense balance as they score close to 2 goals per game and concede less than 1 point. As of the 12th round, the team ranks 2nd after Seoul (25 goals) in the team’s most points, and the least amount of goals is 1st.
Joo Min-gyu, who newly joined ahead of this season, has firmly established himself at the forefront. In addition, foreign players such as Bakko and Martin Adam, who were sluggish in the early stages, are resurrecting, adding to their power. In addition, young attacking resources such as Kang Yoon-gu and Hwang Jae-hwan are adding surprise to the team, and the team is gaining strength.
In the midfield, Park Yong-woo, Lee Gyu-seong and Lee Chung-yong, who have been showing off stable breathing since last season, hold the center. In particular, Lee Cheong-yong plays a big role in Ulsan’s winning streak by changing the game quickly by appearing mostly as a substitute.
The national team goalkeeper Cho Hyeon-woo and defender Kim Young-kwon keep the defense strong. It is thanks to Jo Hyun-woo’s amazing saving ability and veteran Kim Young-kwon’s experience that they can concede at least a point despite not being able to form a perfect defensive line due to unexpected injuries at the beginning of the season.
Ulsan is also showing strong confidence against Seoul. Over the past five years, Ulsan has an absolute advantage against Seoul with 12 wins and 4 draws in 16 matches.
Last March, Ulsan also won a come-from-behind 2-1 away from Seoul. At the time, Ulsan gave the opening goal to Na Sang-ho, but Jo Min-gyu and Lee Chung-yong scored consecutive goals to win.
FC Seoul striker Na Sang-ho. /News1 ⓒ News1 Reporter Park Jeong-ho
However, Seoul’s recent momentum is also good. He is chasing Ulsan with 7 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses (23 points), including 2 wins and 1 draw in the last 3 games.안전놀이터
Na Sang-ho is at the center of Seoul’s rise. He has appeared in all 12 matches this season and scored 8 goals, leading the team in this category. Raising his confidence through the World Cup, Na Sang-ho established himself as the league’s leading striker this season with reckless breakthroughs and aggressive shooting.
The defense is also finding a sense of stability with Lee Han-beom joining the team. With Osmar, Kim Joo-sung and Lee Han-beom joining, he is showing a solid appearance by going back and forth between three-back and four-back according to his opponent’s tactics.
Seoul plans to narrow the gap with Ulsan through this confrontation. In addition, he has a strong will to avenge the come-from-behind defeat he suffered in the living room.