Ulsan Hyundai wrote a thrilling comeback as they played better after winning the title.
Ulsan conceded a goal in the 16th minute to Yoon Beom-garam in the 17th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 against Suwon at the Suwon Sports Complex on June 6, but came from behind to win 3-1 with goals from Martin Adam in the 24th minute, In-Joo Kyu in the 43rd minute, and Bako in stoppage time.
On this day, 8733 spectators gathered at the Suwon Sports Complex as former South Korean national team defender Park Joo-ho held his retirement ceremony.
However, Suwon was unable to pick up a win in Park’s farewell match, leaving them with 18 points (5W3D9L) and ninth place in the league.
On the other hand, league leaders Ulsan quickly shook off a 0-2 loss to Jeonbuk Hyundai in the 16th round of the league on March 3 to consolidate their top spot with 41 points (13W, 2D, 2L).
Suwon lined up in a 4-3-3. Park Bae-jong donned the goalkeeping gloves, while Jung Dong-ho, Jackson, Kim Hyun-hoon, and Lee Yong-soo formed the defense. Park Joo-ho, Yoon Beom-garam, and Kim Sun-min were in the midfield, while Park Chul-woo, Lee Dae-gwang, and Jang Jae-yong rounded out the front three.
Ulsan lined up in a 4-2-3-1. Cho Hyun-woo was in goal, while Lee Myung-jae, Jung Seung-hyun, Kim Ki-hee, and Seol Young-woo formed the back four. Lee Kyu-sung and Kim Min-hyuk guarded the third line, while Yoon Il-rok, Hwang Jae-hwan, and Uhm Won-sang played in the second line. Up front, Martin Adam was in goal for Suwon.
With a large crowd at the stadium due to the national holiday of Memorial Day and Park Joo-ho’s retirement ceremony, Suwon got off to a good start with a goal in the 16th minute.
Lee’s right-footed cross from the right flank was blocked by an Ulsan defender, but the second ball found its way to Yoon Beom-garam.
He rushed into the penalty box and wasted no time in firing a right-footed inside shot that rattled the Ulsan net.
With his goal against Ulsan, Yoon scored for the second consecutive game, following the ‘Suwon Derby’ against Suwon Samseong, which he won 2-1 in the 16th round of the League on March 3.
After conceding the first goal, Ulsan immediately fought back. In the 25th minute, Lee Myung-jae sent a free kick into the box that Martin Adam rose high to head home, but goalkeeper Park Bae-jong made the save.
A minute later, Uhm Won-sang broke into the box and attempted a chip shot that was just over the keeper’s height but hit the post. The ball bounced off the post and substitute Ataru tucked it into the back of the net, but before he could do so, Uhm Won-sang was ruled offside.
In the 31st minute, after the ball went out to the touchline, head coach Hong Myung-bo was warned by the referee for strongly protesting the decision.
The first 45 minutes ended as they had begun, with Suwon going into halftime with a 1-0 lead thanks to Yoon Beom-garam, who scored his second goal in as many games.
Ulsan equalized just two minutes into the second half, but were denied by another offside call. Seol Young-woo’s low cross was headed into the Suwon goal by Uhm Won-sang, but he was ahead of the Suwon defense.
Ulsan, who were twice on the receiving end of offside calls, were denied this time by Suwon goalkeeper Park Bae-jong. In the 15th minute, Ataru received a fantastic penetrating pass from Lee Kyu-sung and found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Park calmly stepped forward to narrow the angle of Ataru’s shot. Ataru’s shot was blocked by Park Baejong, but it didn’t lead to an equalizer.
Ulsan, who had been pounding the Suwon goal relentlessly, finally rattled the net in the 24th minute of the second half. Ataru broke through in the box and found himself one-on-one with the keeper once again.
This time, Ataru opted to pass instead of shoot. Martin Adam, who was next to Ataru, had no trouble slotting the ball into the empty net to equalize.
Ulsan’s momentum didn’t stop there. In the 42nd minute, on an Ulsan corner kick, substitute Lee In-jong-gyu won a tussle with Yoon Beom-garam and slotted the second ball into the back of the net to turn the game around.
With the goal against Suwon, Lee In-jong-kyu scored his ninth goal of the league, surpassing Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul), who has eight.메이저놀이터
In second-half stoppage time, Park Joo-ho, who started the game, was substituted and left the field. The crowd applauded Park generously as he made a fresh start.
Meanwhile, Ulsan, with the momentum on their side, drove a wedge into the game in the second half of stoppage time when Bako scored his third goal of the season after receiving a pass from Martin Adam to make the score 3-1.