The status of the K League and ‘Champion’ Ulsan HD has been greatly shaken.
Ulsan, led by head coach Kim Pan-gon, lost 1-3 to Shanghai Port (China) of the Chinese Super League in the fifth round of the group league of the 2024-2025 season held at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium at 7 p.m. on Sunday. As a result, Ulsan, the winner of the K-League 1, lost all five of its group league matches, resulting in a shocking result of early elimination.
Ulsan has continued its losing streak by not scoring a single goal in the previous four games. Although it has shown somewhat relaxed management since securing the K League 1 title, its lackluster performance at home games has heightened its sense of crisis.
Ulsan lost 0-1 to Kawasaki in the first group match on Sept. 18 before leaving Yokohama 0-2 on Oct. 2. On Oct. 23, it brought home another Japanese team, Vissel Kobe, and on Nov. 5, it was 0-3 in Johor F.C.
Ulsan, which had hard time winning the match by allowing 0 goals and 10 goals in four group matches, desperately needed to win the match. However, as the team lost again this time, it scored one goal and 13 goals in five matches, and scored zero points, effectively failing to advance to the round of 16 teams.
This game was also a complete defeat that was difficult to understand. Cho Hyun-woo and Kim Ki-hee were absent, but most of the main players started. Ulsan deployed Kim Min-joon, Joo Min-gyu, and Lee Cheong-yong in front of the team by operating a 4-1-2-3 formation, and Lee Kyu-sung, Ko Seung-beom, and Boyanich took charge of the midfield. The defense line was built by Lee Myung-jae, Kim Young-kwon, Lim Jong-eun, and Yoon Il-rok, and the goal was kept by Jo Su-hyuk.
Shanghai scored the first goal in the 11th minute of the first half with a right-footed shot from an Oscar corner kick. Shanghai, which gained momentum, took a 2-0 lead in the 23rd minute with Vargas scoring multiple goals again with Oscar’s help. 먹튀검증
Ulsan also had a chance. When Shanghai defender Liang was sent off at the 31st minute of the first half, Ulsan gained numerical advantage. However, the team finished the first half without scoring an extra goal.
In the 28th minute of the second half, Joo Min-kyu recovered one goal by connecting Lee Myung-jae’s cross with a header, but Vargas completed a hat trick with a mid-range shot in the 38th minute of the second half, sealing the game.
In the end, Ulsan ended its challenge in Asia by winning five consecutive group league games. The loss dealt a blow not only to Ulsan but also to the entire K-League, leaving a deep scar on its pride.