It is shocking. Ulsan HD, the “K-League champion,” bowed again to the Japanese J-League club team.
Ulsan HD, led by head coach Kim Pan-gon, lost 0-2 to Vissel Kobe in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) game in the 2024-2025 season at Ulsan Stadium on Sunday. Ulsan lost all three consecutive games against the Japanese team.
It was a showdown between Korea and Japan, which put their pride at risk. Ulsan won the K League 1 title last year. It became the first team to win two consecutive championships. Kobe won the J League 1 title for the first time last year.
The two teams met again for the first time in four years since 2020. Ulsan and Kobe met in the ALC semifinals on Dec. 13, 2020, and engaged in an extended match. Ulsan won the match 2-1. Ulsan, riding the mood, had no loss in 10 matches (9 wins and 1 draw), and won the title for the first time in eight years since 2012.
Ahead of the showdown, the two teams desperately needed to win. Ulsan has been unable to fully concentrate on its ACLE stage due to its tight schedule. It has lost two of its previous matches. It lost 0-1 to Kawasaki Frontale at home on April 18. It lost 0-4 in an away match against Yokohama Marinos on April 2. It bowed its head without losing a goal for two consecutive games. Kobe lost 0-2 at home to FC Tokyo on August 18. The team ended its unbeaten streak in official matches at “12.”
Kick-off. Both teams took a cautious approach. Ulsan had a good chance at the 13th minute of the first half. During the counterattack, Arabidze attempted a shot in front of the Kobe goal. However, he was blocked by the opponent team’s goalkeeper, leaving a regret. Ulsan received Ataru’s accurate pass from Yago in the 25th minute of the first half. However, Yago’s shot hit Kobe’s goalkeeper and hit the top of the net. There was also a dizzying situation. Ulsan allowed Osako to shoot in front of the goal in the 31st minute of the first half. Cho saved the team with super saves. The two teams closed the first half 0-0.
The mood felt strange as soon as the game started in the second half. Ulsan lost the ball competition in the third minute of the second half, and gave up the final goal to Kobe’s Miyashiro. Ulsan, which was in a hurry, made changes through replacement cards. However, Ulsan lost another ball competition in the 28th minute of the second half, losing another point. Miyashiro scored again this time. Ulsan fans were angered by shouting, “Wake up, Ulsan!”
Ulsan, which is in a hurry, started to reverse the mood by using replacement cards one after another. However, the team lacked strength to reverse the situation. Ulsan lost to Kobe at home by two goals. At the same time as the game ended with the whistle, fans booed at Ulsan. Ulsan suffered humiliating 0 points to 7 goals in three consecutive games against Japanese clubs. 메이저놀이터
After the match, Kim said, “I feel so sorry to our fans for the result. I feel ashamed, I don’t deserve to be qualified, and I have nothing to say. I will reflect on myself, and I will do my best to quickly recover the disappointment and bring joy to them. I feel ashamed. Even if this team is eliminated from the round of 16, there is nothing to say. It does not deserve to be qualified. I think I am not good enough to compete in Asia, including respect for my home fans, respect for my opponent, respect for my team mate, and respect for myself. I feel ashamed of myself. Ulsan has won the ALC title twice. It is a team that represents Korea. First of all, we lacked in our attitude, posture, etc.”