Ulsan, which aims to win the K-League 1 title for the third consecutive year, took the lead in the 16th round of Hana Bank's K-League 2024. It also maintained its position in the 17th and 19th rounds.
However, the team fell back to second place in the 20th round. It is quite different from 2022 when it became the first K-League 1 champion in 17 years, and from last year when it achieved its first two consecutive K-League 1 title. Currently, the top-ranked team is Gimcheon Sangmu (39 points). Ulsan ranks second with 38 points, and Pohang Steelers (37 points) ranks third. Despite some difficulties, the team still maintains its "big three" structure. It is within the range of one point difference.
Ulsan has experienced a lot of electricity leaks due to its brutal schedule. Korean striker Martin Adam, who is currently playing for the Hungarian national team, was substituted at Euro 2024. After undergoing shoulder dislocation surgery, Seol has transferred to Serbia's prestigious Tsurvena Zvezda. Center backs Kim Young-kwon and Hwang Seok-ho, as well as Kim Ji-hyun, Rubik'sson and Lee Chung-yong, Lee Myung-jae were also exited from the team due to injury.
On June 30, the last day of June, Ulsan got sick. Ulsan lost to Pohang 1-2. The East Coast Derby was its first loss in two years. The team had no loss in six consecutive games (4 wins, 2 draws).
The biggest problem was the shaky rear. He has allowed three penalty kicks in his last three matches. He also gave the final goal in the match against Pohang as a penalty kick after "on-field review" following VAR. Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo pointed out that players' fatigue caused him to lose concentration. He ended up being hamstrung by the increased number of penalty kicks and lost points due to frequent mistakes.
Ulsan boasts the largest number of goals (38 goals) among the 12 teams in the K League 1, but it is inferior to Gimcheon and Pohang (19 goals) in lost goals. It allowed 24 goals, more than the two teams. Without Cho Hyun-woo's good defense in every game, it could have allowed more goals.
However, Hong does not feel the pain of being the runner-up. He still feels relaxed. When asked about the aftereffects of the East Coast Derby, he said, "I somehow lost once. From the fans' point of view, we suffer from defeat. We also have a responsibility. However, we just lost one game in an away match. The players will do a good job." On the "leading competition," he said with a smile, "Isn't it fun for the viewers to watch?" and added, 먹튀검증 "This is something to see in the K-League if every game stops. Rather than overwhelming victory, I think it would be interesting to watch if the No. 1 ranking changes every weekend."
Hong said Ulsan will strengthen again in the middle of this month. Along with the return of injured players, national defensive midfielder Jung Woo-young, whose contracts with Yago and Saudi Arabian team al-Kaliz have been terminated, will also be strengthened in the summer transfer market. Won Doo-jae and Kim Min-joon, who will be discharged from the military at Sangmu (Gimcheon) on Friday, are also full of players. "Personally, I think I survived June well. I have no choice but to wait," Hong said.
The K-League must endure hot summer to be able to smile broadly in fall. Ulsan's watch is clearly different from the past two years. However, the dream to reach the top still remains. The journey to a third consecutive win, the "beginning of the dynasty," is also unwavering. This is Hong's confidence.