The gap between the two teams is large, but the tension of the ‘East Coast Derby’ is still there.
Pohang Steelers and Ulsan Hyundai will play the 21st round of ‘Hanawon Q K League 1 2023’ at Pohang Steel Yard at 6 pm on the 8th. Pohang is in second place with 37 points (10 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses), and Ulsan is in first place with 50 points (16 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses).
It’s a battle between 1st and 2nd place. But the difference in points is huge. 1st place Ulsan is 13 points ahead of Pohang. It is not a fierce battle for the lead because Pohang has a small gap with FC Seoul (33), Jeonbuk Hyundai (30), and Jeju United (29), who formed the second place behind Ulsan.
But ‘East Coast Derby’ is different. As it is a rival match representing the K-League, it is not easy to predict the outcome. Regardless of the ranking, the ‘pride’ of having to beat the opponent unconditionally is at stake. With just the name East Coast Derby, the weight of the game is distinctly different. In the history of the East Coast Derby, Pohang leads with 64 wins, 53 draws and 58 losses.
In the first head-to-head match this season, they couldn’t decide the winner. Pohang took a 2-0 lead thanks to Go Young-jun’s multi-goal. However, it ended in a draw as Ulsan turned the match around with Joo Min-gyu and Bako scoring.
# ‘Injury Ward’ Pohang, but it’s different in ‘Ulsan Game + Steel Yard’
Pohang is suffering from a recent injury. A number of key resources were missing. Injuries such as Jeong Jae-hee, Kim Jong-woo, and Shin Kwang-hun continued to appear. Ace Koh Yeong-jun also collapsed in the under-24 national team, and Baek Seong-dong, the ‘top assist’, also failed to play in the last game.
In a situation where the player base is not very thick, defectors continue to appear. Fortunately, Koh Young-jun and Baek Seong-dong seem to be able to return to Ulsan, but Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong is in deep trouble as he cannot fully operate against Ulsan, which boasts the best condition.
However, Pohang believes in the ‘power’ shown in the East Coast Derby and the power of the home stadium ‘Steel Yard’.
Pohang has memories of capturing Ulsan at a moment of crisis several times. Representatively, in 2013 and 2019, the East Coast Derby victory prevented Ulsan from winning. Last year, Ulsan won the championship, but the championship was postponed due to a 1-1 draw with Pohang in the last East Coast Derby of the season. It is always a game full of confidence for Pohang.
The recent record at home is also good. Pohang has not conceded a win to Ulsan at home since September 2021. On this day, Gyeonggi-do also achieved a sold-out case early. I am determined to close the gap with Ulsan thanks to the support of my passionate home fans.
# ‘Leading’ Ulsan, there is no better opportunity to ‘run’ than this.
Unlike Pohang, Ulsan players are in the best condition. After being knocked out 0-2 in the 16th round against Jeonbuk Hyundai, they are on a 4-game winning streak. Ulsan boasted the firepower of scoring 12 goals in 4 games, and the solo system that continued from the beginning of the season became more solid.메이저토토사이트
Even in the match against Pohang, Ulsan’s weapon is its hot offensive power. It is a determination to show the power of the team’s top scorer (44 goals).
Jumin-gyu and Bako are at the center of it. Joo Min-gyu and Bakko both scored 10 goals and tied for first place in scoring. Joo Min-gyu boasted good form from the beginning of the season, and Bako recently exploded. As both players scored goals in the first game, they expect to score in this game as well.
For Ulsan, this is a great chance to get further away from the second place group. If Pohang is caught, the difference in points can be widened to 16 points. Along with the joy of winning against rivals, the possibility of a second consecutive league title increases.
It is a match that should not be forgotten that it is an ‘East Coast Derby’, not a match between teams with 37 points and 50 points.