Ulsan HD’s winning story in the 2024 season proved why they deserve to open the ‘New Dynasty Era’.
After winning the K-League title for the second time in 2005, Ulsan won no title for a whopping 17 years. Notably, the team suffered from “Jeonbuk jinx” when it allowed Jeonbuk Hyundai to come from behind to win the title from 2019 to 2021, when the team’s parent company opened its wallet wide. The team had to be ridiculed as “junsan” (second place Ulsan).
Then, Hong Myung-bo, the current head coach of the A-team, took the helm in 2022, gradually increasing the team’s championship DNA. At the time, Hong proactively pursued remodeling of his team, seeing “loyalty and responsibility to the team” as an internal factor. He instilled motivation under the theme of commitment regardless of whether it was a starting or non-mainstream competition, and gave the team the first win in 17 years in the same year. He also achieved his second consecutive win last year.
Ulsan is in the biggest crisis this season as it has been caught up in various variables more than ever before. Hong had to leave the team when he was named the head coach of the A-team last summer. Amid the backlash from fans, the team atmosphere was chaotic. Under the acting coach system, the team faltered to one win and two losses, falling to fourth place.
On top of that, the trade between the main midfielder Won Doo-jae (Corpacan) and Lee Tae-seok (Pohang) from Seoul at the time was promoted, but it was canceled due to strong opposition from fans, causing the entire team to be restless.
Then, Kim Pan-gon, who led the Malaysian national team, was deployed as a firefighter. Kim tried to stabilize the team by expanding his communication with veteran players including Lee Chung-yong. Unlike the Asian Champions League Elite, however, Kim had a scoreless J-League team and lost all three games, drawing strong backlash from fans. Some even pointed out that the team is aging.
Nevertheless, coach Kim did not budge and focused on the top topic of three consecutive league losses, motivating many players through active rotation.
Ulsan wisely overcame the crisis by maintaining its “one-team culture” to the end even under the new coach. In particular, it proved the power of a veteran. On the 27th of last month, which was a watershed moment for the championship, Joo Min-gyu, who had been silent, hit consecutive shots in the home game (2-1 win) against Gangwon on the 1st, when he confirmed his third consecutive victory in the East Coast Derby (2-0 win) with Pohang. Lee Chung-yong shined with a perfect cross to help Joo Min-kyu’s winning goal in the match against Gangwon Province, along with serving as a vertex for his tactics against Pohang. The last room, led by captain Kim Ki-hee, Kim Young-kwon, and goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, was also an important moment in “iron wall mode.” 토토사이트
“In the past, I was worried about ‘what if I lose’ in every important game and was nervous,” said Joo Min-kyu. “Now, I know how to lead the season while enjoying the championship. I think this is the DNA of the championship.”
“I chose to go to Ulsan with the intention of winning the championship,” said Ko, who joined Ulsan in the second half of this year. “I wanted to play the role of supporting Ulsan because I have the DNA to win the championship. I think there is a synergy effect,” he said, proud of his team’s culture.