The first Ssangyong Derby in East Coast Derby history is coming. A match is over → K League 1 resumes...Ulsan and Pohang in crisis face-to-face conflict
Sep 11, 2025
|
|
|
Ulsan will hold the 29th round of 「Hana Bank K League 1 2025」 at Pohang Steelyard at 7 p.m. on the 13th. Ulsan is also worried about not only Final B but also the fall of the promotion and playoffs.
Ulsan is currently in eighth place with nine wins, seven draws and 12 losses and 34 points. On the other hand, Pohang ranked fourth with 13 wins, 5 draws and 10 losses and 44 points. Ulsan, which has recently been in a swamp of three consecutive losses, has no place to retreat. The goal is to rebound by winning the East Coast Derby.
Ulsan coach Shin Tae-yong set up a base camp in Sokcho, Gangwon-do, from the 3rd to the 9th and held mini-off-season training at Goseong Stadium in Goseong-gun. Ulsan played a total of 34 games this season, including the K-League, the Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage, the Korea Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup, and was truly forced. As a result, the players' physical strength and poor condition have overlapped, and they have fallen into a slump that has not been found in recent seasons.
Coach Shin focused on training and communicating with the team to find mental strength and improve his condition. In addition, in order to incorporate a powerful and aggressive soccer style, he charged his organizational power and confidence with practice games.
The first opponent after the training camp is East Coast rival Pohang, which is expected to gain momentum not only in the league but also in the upcoming ACLE if it wins the game. There is also a special point to watch. There is a high possibility that the first 'Ssangyong Derby' will be held in 'East Coast Derby'.
|
|
He had never met as an enemy in the K-League, but on August 30, 2020, Lee Chung-yong faced Seoul in an Ulsan uniform. Lee Chung-yong scored the first goal in the 18th minute of the first half to lead Ulsan's 3-0 complete victory. At that time, Ki Sung-yueng was replaced in the 20th minute of the second half, and Ssangyong Derby was made.
Ki Sung-yueng made a surprise transfer to Pohang through the summer transfer market in July, and is currently playing as a leading midfielder. At the time, Lee Chung-yong cheered for Ki Sung-yueng's new challenge. Another thing to see in the East Coast Derby has increased.
One of the players to watch in Ulsan is Cho Hyun-woo 'Bit Hyun-woo'. Cho Hyun-woo has 33 runs and 6 clean sheets in 23 games this season. Although there are more runs than in recent seasons, he is doing his part with brilliant saves at a time when the defense is unstable.
In particular, he started in a warm-up match against the U.S. at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey, on the 7th and defended his last stand, supporting South Korea's 2-0 victory. In particular, he played well by blocking both consecutive shots from the opponent in the second half of extra time.
Cho Hyun-woo saved his team from losing by blocking Juninho's penalty in the extra time of the second half in the 12th round home game (1-1 draw) against Pohang on May 5. Ulsan has one draw and one loss against Pohang this season.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
