The team shook but did not collapse. The Pohang Steelers rebounded with two consecutive wins after losing six consecutive league games. Final Group A was also in a tight spot, but now it is in the lead again. With six games to go during the regular season, Pohang is two points behind Gangwon FC, which is ranked third. The third place team, which is entitled to participate in the Asian Champions League Elite, is also a must-see.
Pohang defeated Incheon 1-0 in the 32nd round of the “Hana Bank K League 2024” held at Pohang Steelyard on the 27th. Foreign striker Giorgi scored the winning goal. Giorgi scored an offensive point in five consecutive official games. It is also good to see that Yoon Pyeong-guk (GK) and Lee Kyu-baek (DF), who were backup agents, started and performed well. Even when his main players were in crisis due to a string injury, Pohang coach Park Tae-ha was confident that “it is not a team that will be shaken by the absence of a player or two,” but he proved his words by discovering substitutes.
Pohang, which had not had a strong base of players, had a difficult time to overcome in the summer. Pohang was in the midst of a race to become the leader even as the season turned around. It managed the squad while maximizing the physical strength of its key players, but found its limits. Nightmare began with the Gimcheon round match held at its home turf of the 25th round on July 28. Starting with the loss on the day, the team has lost six consecutive games. Pohang has lost four straight games in three years since 2021, while its fifth and sixth consecutive losses were a disgrace for the first time since its foundation. Once No. 1, the team fell to sixth place as it lost 1-2 to Gwangju FC in the 30th round. It narrowed the gap to four points with Gwangju FC in the seventh place. While aiming for the championship, it was hard to guarantee even the top split.
During the losing streak, Lee Ho-jae, the main striker, and Lee Dong-hee, the central defender, were forced out for the season due to injuries. Lee Ho-jae scored nine goals and five assists, ranking No. 1 in attack points in his team. Lee Dong-hee played as the main center back duo with Jeon Min-kwang. It is not exaggerating to say that he got rid of both Cha and Po. As Pohang lost consecutive games, rumors of a crisis ignited. However, Park was confident. “Big deal is not big,” he said. “People talk about it as if the team is almost ruined because the players who play a pivotal role in offense and defense are eliminated, but that’s not true.” On the day when Lee mentioned this, coach Park Tae-ha advanced to the final by beating Jeju 2-1 in the semifinals of the Korea Cup.
Coach Park Tae-ha usually emphasized, “Our team can show a performance that doesn’t make much difference no matter who comes in.” Pohang does not have a national star player, but everyone performs their duties silently in their positions. When Lee Ho-jae was out, Jorge, who was sluggish in the first half, revived and filled the gap. Lee Dong-hee’s position was replaced by Min Sang-ki, and when Min Sang-ki shook, Lee Kyu-baek from Youth appeared. Goalkeeper Hwang In-jae showed signs of slump, Yoon Pyeong-guk showed his presence. In addition, Eo Jung-won, who plays various positions such as wingback and wing forward, new face Lee Tae-seok, and striker Ahn Jae-joon also began to play well. 스포츠토토
The next round on Oct. 6 invites Suwon FC, which is in the midst of a ranking battle, to its home turf. Pohang has an absolute advantage over Suwon FC, with four wins and one draw in the last five games. It has never lost since Sept. 6, 2022 (0-1 loss). Since the match against ACLE Shanghai Port takes place on weekdays (Oct. 1), it is a desperate effort to play three games for 10 days.