Ulsan HD has lost five consecutive games in the AFC Champions League Elite this season. It lost all five games.
Ulsan lost 1-3 against Shanghai Port (China) in Game 5 of the ACLE League Stage in the 2024-25 season at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on November 26.
Ulsan allowed Matthias Vargas, a former member of the Argentine national team, to score a hat trick. Ulsan gained momentum with Joo Min-gyu’s chasing goal in the 28th minute of the second half when the team was losing 0-2, but the team shook its head when Vargas scored its third goal in the 37th minute of the second half. This is what coach Kim Pan-gon of Ulsan said after the match against Shanghai.
Q. We lost 1-3 against Shanghai, the last home game of this season.
It was the last home game of the year. I am so sorry to express disappointment to the fans again. Even if I try to lose like this, I don’t know if I can lose five consecutive games. I think I started well. Again, the mistakes I made in the ACLE were made. It led to lost points and we had a difficult game. Due to the exit of the opponent team’s defender, I also gained numerical advantage, but I failed to make full use of it. As a manager, I am so sorry to the fans.
Q. There is a big difference in performance in K League 1, ACLE. What do you think is the cause.
I want to know. The teams we met are the best teams in each country. They faced the best team in Japan and the best teams in China. Ulsan’s strengths in the K League 1 were not shown particularly in the ACLE. It is true that we focused on winning the K League 1. Even considering that, it is regrettable. In particular, the match against Shanghai was a game where they made all-out efforts after securing the K League 1 championship.
Internally, there were various issues including the main player’s injury. Despite this, he made all-out efforts, but it was not easy. The opponent team played the final match of the FA Cup in China last Saturday (April 23) and came to an away match in Ulsan. Our players should have been in better condition and performance, which is regrettable in many ways. We had to create a specific situation and keep pushing ourselves, but we had difficulties as one mistake led to a loss.
I wonder if I’ll lose like this even if I go in thinking that I’m going to lose all five games. It’s a very difficult situation, but I’m so sorry to the fans. Fans will have expectations. That’s why we’re in our position. I don’t know how to tell you. I’ll do my best in the rest of the game by overhauling the team.
Q. There will be a showdown with the Pohang Steelers in the Korea Cup final on the 30th.
Our focus was on the match against Shanghai. That was why we operated the rotation in the final league match this season. I think we prepared well according to the plan. But we didn’t produce results. I don’t think ACLE is very easy. There is an important game on Saturday. I tried to add confidence from this game, but it didn’t go my way.
There are two games left this year. The will of the players is important. As always, if the players have the will, they will do their best to lift another cup. I think so. I also have a lot of conversations with the players. The will of the players is the most important point. Just because a coach wants to win, it is not something he can do. We will reorganize the team as soon as possible and play in the final of the Korea Cup on Saturday.
Q. What are you most worried about right now, and what do you want to tell the players.
It would be great if we bring results to good performance in every game. Fans and clubs do their best to do so. However, players are also people. There were many ups and downs during the year. I had a hard time psychologically. It was an especially bad year for “up and down.” In the meantime, the team won three consecutive K League 1 titles because of its players’ all-out efforts not to be swayed.
I am very proud of our players. Our players did their best under the circumstances given. They performed better than expected. I could have asked them to do better in ACLE as well. Johor Darlle told them this after losing the away game.
To the players, he said, “It doesn’t matter if the coach’s face is seriously damaged or criticized. It’s a pity that your efforts over the past year may not be recognized due to ACLE. I hope you guys will think about this at least once.” Ahead of the match against Shanghai, he told the players, “Let’s forget all the past games. Let’s try to play ACLE with the mindset of starting anew.” There are some regrets, but I try to understand the players as much as possible.
“The manager is responsible. I want to console our players. Our players really suffered a lot this year. The players have achieved three consecutive K-League 1 championships, which was our top priority. It is difficult for a manager to demand more than that. If he wants to win the Korea Cup, he will stage an all-out war once again. If the players have the will, the coach will do his best to help. A manager is to do his best to help the players when they show their will. I do not want to resent the players. 메이저놀이터
If the result is not good, it is the manager’s responsibility. I understand the players as much as I can. I will pull myself together and prepare for the Korea Cup final.
Q. Cho Hyun-woo did not even make the roster for the match against Shanghai. When was Cho’s absence decided? In addition, how well is Cho Hyun-woo.
After going to the national team, I was in a bad condition. I was in a very tired state. I played the final league game this season, but it was too much to play again. Cho Hyun-woo couldn’t even participate in team training. He was so tired that he couldn’t eat any food. Nevertheless, he was strong to play. I waited, but I decided that it was better to rest because I was so sick. Cho Hyun-woo did his best for the team for a year. He sacrificed a lot. I hope he recovers well and comes back.