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| JA The Resort-JA Lakeview Hotel (Dubai, UAE)/ 2025 K-League Winter Training/ K-League 1/ Ulsan HDFC/ Ulsan Lee Hee-kyun, Heo Yul, Um Won-sang/ Kumho High School trio/ Photo by Kwak Dong-hyuk |
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| Shanghai Stadium (China, Shanghai) / 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite / ACLE / League Stage 6 / Shanghai Shenhua vs Ulsan HDFC / Ulsan Cho Hyun-woo / Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Patana Sports Resort (Chonburi, Thailand)/ 2025 K-League winter training/ K-League1/ FC Anyang/ afternoon training/ photo Kim Jung-soo |
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K League 1 finally opened in 2025.
'Hana Bank K League 1 2025' opened on the 15th. It is the fastest opening in the history of Korean professional football. A 10-month long journey is waiting. Ulsan HD, which has opened the door to the dynasty, is trying to win its fourth consecutive title. FC Anyang, who was promoted from the second division to the first division, will meet 'Witong' for the first time since its foundation.
In the opening game of the K League 1, the team that won the league last year and the Korean team's winning team will clash. Ulsan is the stage to climb, but this year is different. Pohang, which won the Korea Cup for the second consecutive year due to the Asian Champions League (ACL), cut its first tape.
K League 1 champion Ulsan will face Anyang, which won the K League 2, for the first time. Ulsan will play its home opener against Anyang at Munsu Football Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 16th.
Ulsan has held the throne for three consecutive seasons after winning the K League 1 title for the first time in 17 years in the 2022 season. A reversal is also necessary. Ulsan lost 1-2 to Buriram United in Game 7 of the ACLE (Elite) League Stage in the 2024-2025 season on the 12th. Regardless of the results of the remaining one game (Shandong Taishan, Munsu Football Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 19th), he failed to advance to the round of 16.
Although the Asian stage journey has unfortunately ended, Ulsan is determined to make a turnaround in K League 1 and present victory to home fans.
Ulsan operated a rotation on the away trip to Buriram with the match against Anyang in mind. Bojanic and Rubik'sson, the core of the side and the midfield, played in the game and improved their sense of action, while Matthias Lacava, the incumbent Venezuelan national team, made his first appearance. Lacava made expectations by showing stable ballkeeping, fierce breakthrough using speed, and unique soccer sense.
Those who remained in Korea improved their form by strengthening teamwork centered on captain Kim Young-kwon and veteran Lee Chung-yong. In particular, Heo Yul and Lee Hee-kyun, who newly joined this season, will make their debut in front of home fans.
Heo Yul showed post play and determination with strong physicality at the Dubai Winter Training in the United Arab Emirates and practice matches in Korea. Under Heo Yul, Lee Hee-kyun worked diligently, poking the pass and exerting penetration capabilities. Lee Hee-kyun is showing off his perfect hope on and off the field with Um Won-sang, Ulsan's backbone who he has been with since childhood. Lee Jin-hyun, a left-footed specialist who can play both the second and third lines, and Kang Sang-woo and Yoon Jong-kyu, who will be responsible for Ulsan's left and right sides this season, are waiting to be dispatched.
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| Shanghai Stadium (China, Shanghai) / 2024-2025 AFC Champions League Elite / ACLE / League Stage Game 6 / Shanghai Shenhua vs Ulsan HDFC / Ulsan Kim Pan-gon / Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Swiss Grand Hotel/ Hana Bank K League 1 Opening Media Day/ Anyang Coach Yoo Byung-hoon/ Photo by Kwak Dong-hyuk |
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However, there is also pain. Korean Football 'Number 1'Choo Hyun-woo, the gatekeeper, collapsed due to a broken nose. It doesn't seem easy to play in the first round of the K League 1. Anyang can have a bigger buzz if it is recognized for its potential against Ulsan at the K League 1 reporting ceremony.
Coach Kim Pan-gon said, `New and young players have gained good experience in away games at Buriram. Now, I'm playing my first league game in front of my home fans, and I'll produce performance and results that meet my expectations."
Anyang manager Yoo Byung-hoon stressed that `As Anyang is new to the K-League, I will do it with the mindset that I will not be swayed even if it will be shaken by the challenger's mind.'
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
