There are only two more goals to reach the top of the Korea Cup (formerly FA Cup), which is the shortcut to advancing to Asia. It is the semifinals and the final. The final round is a single round, but the semifinals are held at home and away.
The semifinal match of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup, in which only two teams will survive – Jeju United, Pohang Steelers, Gwangju FC and Ulsan HD – will begin. The first round will be held on Monday. The whistle will blow at the Gwangju Football Stadium at 7 p.m. and the Jeju-Pohang Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Korea Cup is a competition that determines the king of Korean soccer, encompassing professionals and amateurish players. The most attractive feature is low cost and high efficiency. The winner will receive “international flights” to play in Asia. The final match will be held on November 30 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The keyword in the first round is to gain a head start. For Ulsan, Gwangju is “bad luck.” Of course, Gwangju is good to see. Ulsan won the K-League 1 title for the second consecutive year, but was particularly weak against Gwangju under coach Lee Jung-hyo. The team has been mired in four consecutive losses since its 0-2 loss on Sept. 3 last year in the K-League 1. Ulsan lost all games twice this season as well. Coach Kim Pan-gon has taken the helm. “I am at odds with coach Lee Jung-hyo. When I was coaching Busan I-Park, Lee Jung-hyo used to play on the ground as a player.
It is all the more eye-catching because it is a series of three games of destiny. The 28th round of Hana Bank K League 1 2024 will take place between the first and second rounds of the Korea Cup on Saturday. Of all the teams, the two teams are scheduled to have a showdown in the K League 1. It is a journey that leads to Gwangju → Gwangju → Ulsan. Ulsan has to undergo a tough schedule, as it does not have a training site in Gwangju, so it returns to Ulsan after the first round of the Korea Cup and then embarks on an away trip to Gwangju again.
Both teams lost in the K League 1 last weekend. Gwangju led 2-0 in an away game against Gangwon FC but suffered a come-from-behind loss of 2-3, halting its three-game winning streak. Ulsan lost 1-2, unable to overcome its numerical inferiority amid unfavorable conditions for its striker Joo Min-gyu to be sent off at the home game against Suwon FC. Coach Kim Pan-gon lost for the first time in two games. Joo Min-gyu can play at the Korea Cup.
“Players talk about a lot of bad results for Gwangju. It will be a good preparation,” Kim said. His approach will be different from the past when he played against Gwangju. Let’s see what the results will be. Gwangju is well-trained. We look forward to seeing if we can prepare and dominate more.” Ulsan is aiming to reclaim the trophy for the first time in seven years after winning its first Korean Cup title since its foundation in 2017. “I hope the three games will bring good results and contents to give confidence to the players. There are risks, but if we are having a hard time, 메이저놀이터 it will be difficult for us to play against them. Our squad is not bad. We expect good results.”
It is Gwangju’s first time to advance to the semifinals of the Korea Cup. He is committed to reaching the final and seeking his first win. “I wish I could play against Ulsan due to schedule. I need to prepare more. I will consider realistic things because it is a tournament,” coach Lee Jung-hyo said.