‘K-League Champion' Ulsan Hyundai is aiming for the beauty of Yujong.
Ulsan will face Kawasaki Frontale in the 6th match of Group I of the 2023-24 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) group stage held at Munsu World Cup Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 12th. Currently, Ulsan is in second place in the group with 9 points (3 wins, 2 losses, 10 goals, 6 losses, +9).
Ulsan, who won the 'Hana One Q K League 1 2023' and won the K League for the second time in a row, will play in the ACL. Kawasaki (15 points) has already taken first place, which confirms advancement into the tournament. Now, out of the five groups from Group I to Group J, only three of the five second-place teams must aim for a ticket to advance. If Ulsan catches Kawasaki in the final game of the group stage, it is possible to advance to the round of 16 on its own.
It's a face-off where you have to give everything. Before the match with Kawasaki, coach Hong Myung-bo and Eom Won-sang attended a press conference. Coach Hong Myung-bo showed his determination, saying, "This is our team's last game. We will make sure that we can achieve great results this season." Eom Won-sang, who represented the players, also pledged for a decisive battle, saying, "We have to win the last game to advance to the round of 16 without thinking about the odds. That's why I will do my best and play to achieve victory."
Victory means advancement to the tournament. Ulsan must bring results somehow. Coach Hong Myung-bo said, "It is not easy to secure the championship and proceed with league and cup competitions with players for a long time. Motivation is the same. However, it is another ACL game (competition) and we need a win, so we will do as we have done so far. “We have prepared. However, I believe that the key to winning or losing the game will be how focused the players are in tomorrow's game.”
Eom Won-sang also said, "It's just that the league season is over. The team's season is not over, so the players are still tense so that they can finish the last game well. Both seniors and juniors have ACLs." “I know the importance of this game for advancing to the finals. So, without further ado, I will do my best.”
Not long ago, Kawasaki boosted its confidence by winning the Emperor's Cup. It will also have an impact on this game. Coach Hong Myung-bo said, "I think the team's morale will be high after Kawasaki won the Emperor's Cup last weekend. We will play the game as we have prepared, and I think the players on both teams know each other well because they have played many games against each other. “We are just focusing on ending this season with a victory so that we can have a happy ending.” Ulsan is ready to give everything it has against Kawasaki.
