It has been running tirelessly until August, when the heatwave is raging, but the harsh schedule continues for the time being. In particular, the K League 1 teams, which will play in the Asian club competition in the 2024-2025 season, including Ulsan HD, Pohang Steelers, Gwangju FC, and Jeonbuk Hyundai, have a very tight schedule in the second half.
Of course, not everyone is on the same stage. Ulsan, which is seeking its third consecutive win in the K League, Pohang, and Gwangju, which are competing for the championship for the first time in a long time, will play in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE), the highest level stage, while Jeonbuk will play in the lower level of ACL2. It is similar to the UEFA Champions League and the Europa League.
The ACLE, which significantly increased the amount of prize money and reduced the number of participating teams to 24 in order to enhance the competitiveness of the championship, can be seen as the “true meaning of the Champions League.” Considering the symbolism of the first competition, it is full of charms. Ulsan coach Kim Pan-gon and Pohang coach Park Tae-ha said, “It is an opportunity to prove ourselves,” and Gwangju coach Lee Jung-hyo said, “The club and its players can grow together.”
All-out matches of the ACLE League are inevitable from the ACLE League stage, which will kick off next month. In East Asia, where the K-League is located, 12 teams are competing to advance to the quarterfinals. Gwangju, which acquired the ticket to an international competition for the first time since its foundation, will be the first team that will participate. It will play against the Yokohama Marinos at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium on September 17. Pohang will have an away game against Shanghai Shenhua (China) on the same day. Ulsan will meet with the Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) at its home on September 18.
In September, the K-League is nearing the end of the 2024 season, and the final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. is starting, which increases players’ fatigue and the risk of injury. Smart allocation of power and proper rotation are essential. Ulsan, in particular, needs to be much more vigilant.
Coincidentally, Ulsan, Pohang, and Gwangju are also in the semifinals of the Korea Cup. Gwangju and Ulsan met each other at the Gwangju Football Stadium on Monday, and Pohang earned its first away match with Jeju United. Depending on the outcome of the second match on Wednesday and whether they will advance to the finals, the three teams should also consider “teasing the three rabbits.” 스포츠토토
However, Jeonbuk cannot afford to pay attention to ACL2. Jeonbuk, which will start the ACL2 group league with an away game against Cebu FC (Philippines) on September 19, is in a position to focus on remaining in the K-League 1. For this reason, the team will likely set up ACL2 entry focusing on 1.5 players and young players. Jeonbuk coach Kim Doo-hyun also made it clear that he plans to “all-in” the K-League in short and bold words that “survival comes first.”