Ulsan HD and the team’s main gun Joo Min-kyu, who faced the much-anticipated “three consecutive losses,” emphasized the team’s “winning DNA” along with the third trophy.
Ulsan won 2-1 at home against Gangwon FC in the 36th round of Hana Bank K League 1 2024 at Ulsan Stadium on the 1st.
With two more games to go, he widened the gap with second-place Gangwon (61 points) by seven points to secure an early victory.
Ulsan has faced numerous crises. There was a creak in the journey to a third consecutive victory, including the enlistment of key midfielder Lee Dong-kyung and an unexpected change of coach.
However, manager Kim Pan-gon quickly reorganized the team after taking office, and faced an upturn in the league and was once again in the championship after fierce competition.
It has achieved three consecutive wins following the 2022 and 2023 seasons. It was the birth of a new dynasty in the K-League. Ulsan has become the third team to win three consecutive seasons after Seongnam Ilhwacheonma and Jeonbuk Hyundai, the predecessors of Seongnam FC.
In the match against Gangwon Province, which was like the final, the troubleshooter Joo Min-gyu flew up. After competing for the top scorer for the past three seasons, Joo Min-gyu was the top scorer in the 2021 and 2023 seasons. In the 2022 season, he was tied with Jo Kyu-sung, but he ranked second due to the number of participants.
Joo, who has maintained his self-esteem as a “native striker,” received high expectations this season as well. He seemed to display his true value by finishing his long-cherished career in the A-team.
However, he has remained silent for more than three months since the match against FC Seoul in July. Having suffered ups and downs, he broke his long silence in the 35th round match against the Pohang Steelers on the 27th of last month, and roared against Gangwon as soon as the team needed to score. 먹튀검증
After the game, Joo Min-kyu said, “Today’s game was very important. It was a game where all the players, the coach, and the coaching staff all came together and won.”
“It was a very difficult time for me as well. It was a time to reflect on myself thinking, ‘Can I stay silent for this long?'” Joo said. “That was a precious time for me. I was able to get out of that long tunnel because the coach, the coaching staff and my colleagues were with me. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone. And it was the last three months when I felt once again that soccer is a team sport.”
“The players and the coach must have been very upset. Nevertheless, I felt that he has a lot of trust in me. He showed that he has faith in me even if I don’t say anything, and people around him helped me to score a goal so that I could not give up. (Lee) Cheong-yong gave me a really good assist today as well as in the last game. It was a chance for anyone other than me to make a goal. I am very grateful.”