Ulsan Hyundai on the 7th and Jeonbuk Hyundai on the 8th suffered heartbreaking losses to Southeast Asian teams. With back-to-back losses to Southeast Asian teams, there are fears that this could lead to a disastrous scenario where four teams from the K League play in the Asian Champions League and three teams are eliminated from the group stage before the round of 16, except for the Pohang Steelers, who have already secured first place in their group.
Ulsan Hyundai lost 1-2 against Johor FC in the fourth match of Group I of the 2023-2024 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League on July 7 in Malaysia.
The scoreline may read 1-2, but it could have been as much as 1-5 if it weren’t for the opponent’s shots that hit the post three times. Especially in the first half, Ulsan was helpless against the opponent’s offense and lost in the end.
Jeonbuk Hyundai also lost 0-2 in their Group F match against Ryan City away from home in Singapore on Aug. 8.
This game was even worse. Jeonbuk only managed two shots on target and lost the ball for nothing.
Of course, Ulsan suffered from away disadvantages, including a ridiculously poor training ground provided by the Johor side, and Jeonbuk also traveled to the Southeast Asian country in a situation that was never going to be easy for them physically, having played the FA Cup final last weekend.
But the pros must speak in terms of results, and both Ulsan and Jeonbuk suffered disastrous defeats.
The loss leaves Ulsan level on two points with Johor in Group I, although they are second in the group on goal difference. Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale have already virtually clinched first place in the group with 12 points, meaning they will eventually have to fight Johor for second place, which won’t be easy with a trip to Thailand and a home game against Kawasaki remaining. 무지개토토 주소
Jeonbuk is tied for second place in Group F with Ryan City with two points, but they are also second in the group on goal difference. They have games away in Hong Kong (against Kitchee SC) and at home against Bangkok United.
It’s disappointing to see Ulsan struggle so much in the ACL, as they’re a very strong team that clinched the K League 1 title early. Jeonbuk has been labeled the “honey pot” of all the groups for Korean teams, but they’ve struggled the most.