The contrast between Ulsan Hyundai and Jeonbuk Hyundai, the ‘family rivals’ representing the K-League 1 (division 1), is already clearly diverging. Ulsan boasted the appearance of a defending champion and took the lead early on, while Jeonbuk, who won the league runner-up and FA Cup title last year, fell to the bottom ranks without a win.
Ulsan, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, won Gangwon FC 1-0 in the second round away game of ‘Hanawon Q K League 1 2023’ held at Songam Sports Town in Chuncheon on the 5th. It is the second consecutive win following a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Jeonbuk in the home opener (round 1). Ulsan, Pohang Steelers, and FC Seoul are the only teams that have won all the way to the second round.
However, coach Kim Sang-sik’s Jeonbuk is sluggish with 1 draw and 1 loss. After taking a 1-0 lead in the Ulsan expedition, they suffered a painful come-from-behind defeat, and on the 5th, in the 2nd round home game against Suwon Samsung, it ended in a 1-1 draw. 먹튀검증
To be honest, the performance of both teams is not at a satisfactory level. After the game against Gangwon, which was narrowly won by Eom Won-sang’s winning goal in the 4th minute of the second half, Hong was very angry in the stadium’s locker room. He pointed out unstable air-defense balance and defensive insecurity. It was the same during the Jeonbuk match. Throughout the first half, they were overwhelmed by the opponent’s onslaught, and were dragged away by conceding the opening goal in the 10th minute of kick-off.
Of course, Jeonbuk is much more serious. Even after scoring first in both games, they caught up every time. In particular, against Suwon Samsung, which has had an overwhelming advantage, it was pushed back unilaterally after Cho Kyu-seong’s penalty kick (PK) first goal. The content was not good enough to be fortunate that I did not suffer a come-from-behind defeat.
However, in the end, the most important thing is the result. Even if the contents are not supported, you have to steadily accumulate victory points somehow to get closer to winning. Kangwon coach Choi Yong-soo, who tasted defeat in the first match this year following last year’s 4 matches despite fighting on an equal footing with Ulsan, even though he played better, admitted, “(Ulsan) knows how to win and has a habit of winning.”
But Jeonbuk is not like that. Even the back heart, which was the only strength, has disappeared. Jeonbuk, who scored 56 goals in the regular league last season, scored 20 goals in the first half and 36 goals in the second half. They have only 2 games yet but this year only 2 goals in the first half. In addition, it seems that ‘anxiety in the living room’ has not disappeared. After winning the opening game against Suwon FC last year, I am reminded of the nightmare of staying without a win at home for 6 consecutive games (3 draws and 3 losses) and then changing the mood by winning the match against Suwon Samsung in the 17th round. It is necessary to recall the story of former Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee, who said, “You have to draw a quality game and win a tie game to get the trophy.”