“How should I say it…”
Ulsan HD coach Kim Pan-gon failed to control his facial expression after losing 1-3 in the fifth game of the 2024-2025 Asian Football Confederation Champions League East Asian Group League Stage against Shanghai Port (China) at Ulsan Munsu Stadium on Sunday. When he entered the press conference, his face was darker than ever. He had no choice but to talk about his lackluster performance at ACLE. He seemed under extreme stress.
“I want to know why it’s like this. I don’t think I will lose like this even if I play with the mindset that I will lose all five games,” Kim said, expressing difficulty.
On the 23rd, just three days ago, Kim celebrated Ulsan’s victory in the K League 1 and three consecutive losses. He had a happy time, even getting rinsed by the player. At that time, Kim’s disappointment was more palpable as it intersected with a brilliant moment.
It is a mystery. Since Kim’s inauguration, Ulsan has successfully secured the championship title by posting outstanding performance of nine wins, three draws and one loss in 13 K-League 1 matches. It is a successful change considering that it has fallen to fourth place since its former head coach left the team.
The problem is ACLE. It is the lowest ranking team in the East Asian group with all five losses. Ulsan is the only team that failed to score points including the West Asian group. It even scored its first goal of the tournament at a match against Shanghai Port. The opponent team’s defender was sent off in the first half to enjoy numerical advantage, but it was not obvious that one more player was running. To that extent, the team is revealing its weaknesses in offense and scoring ability. As the K-League 1 champion, he will inevitably lose his pride.
Since leaving the team, Ulsan has suffered serious ups and downs. Since taking the helm, Kim had to focus on winning the K League 1. As he paid close attention to the Korea Cup, which advanced from the knockout stage to the final, he could hardly help but lose concentration in the ACLE.
Coach Kim, who joined the team in the middle of this season, cannot afford to burden him. He is spending his first season with unfamiliar coaching staff and players. Trial and error may occur to some extent. 스포츠토토
The team must endure the weight of the crown. Ulsan is no longer a team that is content with just winning the K-League 1. It has been upgraded to a team that aspires to win the Korea Cup and must rise to a certain level in the ACLE. This is the weight that coach Kim must endure as he entered the top team in the K-League 1.
We urgently need to change the mood. Ulsan will play the final match of the Korea Cup against its rival Pohang Steelers on Wednesday. If Kim wins the Korea Cup after failing to show good performance at the ACLE, he will achieve a “double” in four months since his inauguration.
“I have a lot of conversations with players. I feel that I am a strong-willed athlete. I will clean up today’s game and make all-out efforts in the finals,” Kim said, vowing to win the title.