The joys and sorrows of Pohang Steelers and Ulsan Hyundai, who are competing for the lead in professional soccer K-League 1, were mixed. Chaser Pohang gained 3 points, while leader Ulsan only gained 1 point, and the point difference between the two teams has already reached 6.
Gangwon FC escaped from last place with a valuable victory in an away game against Jeonbuk Hyundai despite heavy rain.
Leader Ulsan drew 1-1 with Daejeon Hana Citizen in the 30th round of Hana 1Q K League 1 2023 held at Munsu Stadium in Ulsan on the 16th.
As a result, Ulsan recorded 19 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses (62 points), bringing the point gap with second place Pohang (56 points) to 6. Daejeon ranked 8th with 9 wins, 11 draws, and 10 losses (38 points).
Ulsan, which has stagnated with 1 win, 2 draws, and 2 losses in the last 5 games, gave rest to players such as Barco, Lee Chung-yong, Kim Young-kwon, Cho Hyun-woo, and Lee Gyu-seong, who have played key roles so far. Instead, they gave opportunities to Kim Seong-jun, Lim Jong-eun, Jo Soo-hyuk, and Kim Ji-hyeon.
Contrary to Ulsan’s hopes for a rebound through changes in the starting lineup, Daejeon scored the first goal. One minute after the game started, Kim In-gyun received Massa’s pass and struck Ulsan’s net after a quick dribble.
Ulsan reorganized its battle line around Kim Ki-hee, who was appointed captain that day, and increased its offensive capabilities. Ulsan, who had been pounding on Daejeon’s goal, succeeded in tying the score in the 29th minute of the first half.
Joo Min-gyu was fouled during a collision with an opposing defender and was awarded a penalty kick. Joo Min-gyu, who took the kicker, completely deceived goalkeeper Lee Chang-geun and brought the game back to square one. With this, Joo Min-gyu scored his 14th goal of the season and became the sole leader in scoring, surpassing Thiago (13 goals, Daejeon).
Ulsan, who needed a win to gain the upper hand in the race for the lead, stepped up the offensive in the second half by bringing in Rubikson, Lee Chung-yong, and Bako.
However, Bako’s goal was canceled after being judged offside by video review, and Joo Min-gyu missed a penalty kick in extra time in the second half, ultimately failing to turn the game around and only scoring one point.
Prior to Ulsan, Pohang smiled 2-0 in the home game against Suwon FC held at Pohang Steel Yard, led by Zeka’s multi-goal performance.
Pohang, which continued its upward trend of 5 wins and 4 draws in the last 9 games, succeeded in narrowing the point gap with Ulsan to 6 with 15 wins, 11 draws and 4 losses.
Suwon FC remained in 10th place with 8 wins, 5 draws, and 17 losses (29 points).
Pohang took the lead with Zeka’s goal in the 28th minute of the first half. Zeka scored the first goal by darting towards Wandelsson’s cross from the left flank and extending his legs.
Boosting his momentum, Zeka scored an additional goal in the 44th minute of the first half. Zeka scored an additional point by hitting the ball hard into the corner after dribbling alone in the Suwon FC camp. Zeka added two goals, scoring his 10th goal of the season.
Pohang continued the offensive in the second half and tried to score an additional goal, but goalkeeper Noh Dong-geon made a save and was unable to score any more goals, winning by two goals.
Gangwon won 3-1 in the away game against Jeonbuk held at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.
National soccer team coach Jürgen Klinsmann and coach Cha Du-ri visited the game between the two teams and watched the players. It has been about three months since the Suwon Samsung-FC Seoul match on June 24 that Coach Klinsmann visited the K-League site.
Gangwon, which achieved a valuable victory in the away game, recorded 4 wins, 12 draws, and 14 losses (24 points), dropping Suwon Samsung (22 points), which had played one less game, to 12th place and rising to 11th place.
Jeonbuk’s recent 5 consecutive games without a win (3 draws, 2 losses) continued, with 12 wins, 7 draws, and 11 losses (43 points, 35 points, 7 goal difference) against Incheon United (43 points, 35 points, -1 goal difference). managed to maintain 5th place, ahead in goal difference.
Jeonbuk got off to a good start by scoring the first goal at the start of the game. In the process of breaking through, Han Kyo-won was fouled by Lee Ji-sol and was awarded a penalty kick. Gustavo, who played as a kicker, calmly shot and scored the first goal.
In order to win, Gangwon counterattacked with foreign strikers such as Gabriel, Yago, and Gallego, and leveled the game with Gabriel’s goal in the 45th minute of the first half. Gabriel received Seo Min-woo’s pass in front of Jeonbuk’s goal, then turned around and attempted a quick shot on the half-way, shaking Jeonbuk’s net.
Gangwon, which gained momentum, succeeded in turning the tables with Gallego’s goal in extra time in the first half. In a counterattack situation, Gallego received a pass from Yago and scored an accurate shot with his right foot to score the comeback goal.
Jeonbuk launched a counterattack at the start of the second half by bringing in Ahn Hyun-beom and Moon Seon-min, but the goal came from Gangwon. Gangwon, who blocked Jeonbuk’s attack and aimed for a counterattack, secured victory with Kim Dae-won’s goal in the 30th minute of the second half.스포츠토토
Jeonbuk, needing a point, increased their offensive ability, but the sudden heavy rain caused the grass to become submerged, making it difficult for them to play as they wanted, and ultimately bowed out without being able to score a consolation goal.
Incheon won 2-1 in the home game against Jeju United held at Incheon Soccer Stadium with the winning goal by Hernández in extra time in the second half.
Incheon raised its ranking to 6th place with 11 wins, 10 draws, and 9 losses (43 points). Jeju, which suffered 8 consecutive away losses, remained in 9th place with 9 wins, 8 draws, and 13 losses (35 points).