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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1 Game 1/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rongcheng/ Ulsan Heoyul Scoring/ Goal Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1st Match/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rongcheng/ Ulsan Um Won-sang Scoring/ Goal Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1 Game 1/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rung Chung/ coach Seo Jeong-won/ scoring/ joy/ photo Kim Jung-soo |
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1 Game 1/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rongcheng/ Ulsan Coach Shin Tae-yong/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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K-League's 'Proud'Ulsan HD produced a come-from-behind victory in the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE). Chengdu Longcheng (China), who was invited to the Asian stage for the first time, gave 'Cham Education'.
Ulsan coach Shin Tae-yong has won both ACLs as a coach and player in Seongnam Ilhwa. Director Seo Jung-won, who is leading Chengdu, is the main character of the 「Miracle Magic」, which started in the second part and is currently ranked first in the first part. The two are best friends. In the second half of coach Seo's 1-0 lead, he tilted further as he excluded the main players in preparation for the Super League.
Ulsan came from behind to win 2-1 in the first round of the ACLE League Stage against Chengdu in the 2025-2026 season at Munsu Football Stadium with Heo Yul's extra-time theater goal in the second half following Um Won-sang's equalizer. On the previous day, Gangwon FC came from behind to win 2-1 against Shanghai Shenhua (China) on its home turf. FC Seoul drew 1-1 with Japan's Machida Zelvia in the away game.
However, Ulsan, which played as the K League 1 champion in the 2024 season, seemed to collapse in the first round. Last season's nightmare seemed to be rekindled. Ulsan failed to advance to the round of 16 with one win and six losses. Fortunately, he crossed the first pass with a come-from-behind victory.
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium / 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite / ACLE / League Stage 1 Game 1 / Ulsan HDFC vs Chengdu Rung Chung / Ulsan Malkong / Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1 Game 1/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rongcheng/ Ulsan Lee Jae-ik/ Competition/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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Coach Shin said he would focus more on the K-League, which is a cliff edge, not ACLE. Ulsan appointed coach Shin as a firefighter, but after one win, it has been in a winless swamp (1 draw and 3 losses) for four consecutive games. The ranking has fallen to ninth place, and concerns over the promotion and playoff (PO) are approaching a reality. Compared to the Pohang Steelers' 'East Coast Derby' four days ago, he replaced nine of the best 11 players. Only Trojac and Cho Hyun-woo continued to start. Malkon, Boyanich and Rubik'sson joined the starting lineup.
However, the steps were heavy from the start. At the start of the first half, Romulo from Busan I-Park was allowed to shoot. Ulsan had a decisive opportunity in the 7th minute of the first half. Lee Hee-kyun's cross was delivered to Malkon. But his volley shot was slightly off the post. Chengdu had a chance to score in the 32nd minute of the first half, but Zhou Ding-yang's shot turned away from the goal.
Chengdu's goal was scored in the 44th minute of the first half. Lee Hee-kyun and Trojac overlapped in front of the penalty area, failing to properly handle the ball. The ball was caught on Deargiaduo's toes. His right foot shot passed through Cho Hyun-woo and hit the net. At the beginning of the second half, coach Shin put in Heo Yul Jung Seung-hyun and Eric without Malkong and Jung Woo-young.
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1 Game 1/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rung Chung/ Chengdu Scoring/ Goal Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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| Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium/ 2025-2026 AFC Champions League Elite/ACLE/ League Stage 1st Match/ Ulsan HDFC vs. Chengdu Rongcheng/ Ulsan Um Won-sang Scoring/ Goal Ceremony/ Photo by Kim Jung-soo |
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In the 17th minute of the second half, Lee Jin-hyun was dispatched without Baek In-woo. Bojanic immediately had a chance, but he couldn't connect with a shot properly. In the 25th minute of the second half, Lee Hee-kyun's shot hit the crossbar and hit the ground following the goalkeeper's save. Ulsan even took out Um Won-sang's card in the 27th minute of the second half.
The long-awaited goal was scored in the 31st minute of the second half. Boyanich's fantastic through pass was connected to Um Won-sang, who penetrated the offside trap and dug into the back space. Um Won-sang's first shot, which was a one-on-one chance with the goalkeeper, was caught by the opponent's goalkeeper, but he responded with a left-footed shot again. Chengdu was sent off with a warning in the second inning of the 48th minute, which was added time for Dearzia Duo. Heo Yul flashed in the 50th minute of the second half. After trapping Um Won-sang's cross with his chest, he opened the goal with his left foot. Um Won-sang scored one goal and one assist.
Chengdu has been running first in the Super League with seven consecutive undefeated games (6 wins and 1 draw). Felipe, who used to play for Gwangju FC in the past, also played on the ground. Ulsan drew 1-1 against Pohang. The ACLE fired a signal of reversal. Coach Shin was back on the ACL stage after 4,860 days. I was full of smiles.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
