Ulsan HD was a painful first step. On the previous day, its citizens’ team Gwangju FC defeated Japan’s Yokohama Marinos 7-3 at its home ground. However, the Pohang Steelers lost to Shanghai Shenhua in an away game with a score of 1:4.
Ulsan was on the stage as the champion of the K-League. However, it failed to display self-esteem. Ulsan lost 0-1 to Kawasaki Frontale in the first round of the Asian Champions League (ACLE) league stage of the 2024-2025 season at Munsu Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Coach Kim said, “There were a lot of home fans who came to see us like this even though it was a national holiday. We apologize to the coach for disappointing the content and results. It didn’t go well as we wanted to. I tried to put more weight on it in the second half. But the situation of losing points was not good. There was a team miss,” and added, “We tried to turn it around, and the players tried hard, but it wasn’t enough. We didn’t bring good results in the first game, but we will try to bring the best results in the rest of the game.”
The worst grass was poisonous not only to Kawasaki but also to Ulsan. He was careful with his blusher. Coach Kim’s unique “build-up soccer” rarely came out. It was a frustrating series of trends.
“Ulsan, who will play in the ACLE, is a team that represents the K-League rather than Ulsan. I also have good memories of being a champion in the two seasons, so I should reward K-League fans and employees by showing good performances,” Kim said. “Gwangju started well, so I had to give back that Proud. However, it didn’t work out as I thought. I will do well after reviewing it again.”
The score was 0-0 in the first half. Coach Kim pulled out three replacement cards to change the mood at the beginning of the second half. He excluded Kim Min-woo, Kim Min-joon and Lee Gyu-seong, and transfused Rubik’sson, Arabidze and Ataru.
However, Kawasaki, who cut off the ball and took control of the midfield, took the lead again. Ulsan’s goal opened at the 9th minute of the second half. Marcinho scored the goal with a sensational right-footed kick from the left side of the penalty area. It was the winning goal. 안전놀이터
Kim rearranged the midfielder by dispatching Ko Seung-beom to replace Mateus at the 16th minute of the second half. Ulsan’s offense has also begun to revive. However, Ataru collapsed at the 34th minute of the second half. He had already used up five replacement cards. After receiving first aid, Ataru started again but failed to run properly. It was a de facto numerical inferiority and the goal was not opened.
“No one knows that. I thought the away team would be difficult in the second half,” Kim said. “I thought it would be a good game if the team’s power is strengthened in the second half,” he added. “As a result, I can blame the coach for his decision, but I don’t want to focus on that. What’s wrong with a losing point situation is the problem, not who left first. We need to look back on the losing point situation.”
It was Kim’s first scoreless game since he took the helm of Ulsan. “The scoreless part was quite bad. I’m upset as a coach that I didn’t show good performance to fans for 45 minutes in the first half. We had a few chances in the second half, but I thought we should play ACLE in various better environments. It’s hard for players to play good games. It’s not fair to say anything to players. Still, the opponent scored. We apologize for what we didn’t do well as a coach,” he said.
Environment refers to grass conditions. “We have to endure it because it is a natural phenomenon. It is not something that can be done by manpower. It is a special case. Everyone is struggling and struggling. I mean, players are struggling. We are struggling in such an environment. I don’t want to say anything about not having good plays,” Kim said. “I don’t want to think that I made a wrong plan. I hope it will be done in a better environment.”
Ulsan has a murderous schedule in which both K League 1 and ACLE must be played. Manager Kim said, “I made a plan in the big picture. I never thought I would lose. I tried to have good results at home and prepare for the away game, but it got twisted. I think I need to organize this part again and make a plan. I have an important league game after coming back from an away game in ACLE after two league games. This is a concern for all the teams participating in ACLE. I will deal with it well and make a plan.”
Kawasaki manager Toru Oniki said, “Ulsan’s pressure was very strong, but all the players didn’t give up until the end and fought. I think that’s what resulted in,” adding, “I still have thoughts to play at a better pitch for the fans. It’s not like that for ACLE, but the players always want to play at their best. It’s a shame that we didn’t show our best performance on the grass today. Both players did their best, but it would have been better if we had played in a better condition.”
