Ulsan, hoping for ‘D-Day’, loses 2 consecutive K-League 1 games for the first time since its founding with only one step left… ‘Hyundai is the rival’ Jeonbuk that holds the key

It may or may not be ‘D-Day’. Ulsan Hyundai, which reached the top of K-League 1 last year for the first time in 17 years, is getting closer to its first two consecutive losses since its founding. There is only one step left.

Ulsan is leading the team with 67 points. It was a ‘straight line’ journey. Although he was placed in 3rd place in the second round due to multiple points, he was always in first place in terms of points. Not once did he lose the lead. Now only the period remains.

The second-place Pohang Steelers, with 59 points, will take the stage a day earlier. Pohang will play the second round of the ‘Hana One Q K League 1 2023’ final against 4th place Jeonbuk Hyundai (52 points) at Jeonju World Cup Stadium at 2 pm on the 28th. If Pohang draws or loses, Ulsan will have a chance to secure an early win. Ulsan will clash with 6th place Daegu FC (49 points) at home at 2pm on the 29th.

The point difference between Ulsan and Pohang is 8 points. If Pohang loses, no further explanation is needed, and if there is a draw, the score is 60 points. If Ulsan defeats Daegu, it will reach 70 points. The point gap with Pohang widens by more than 10 points. There are 3 games remaining. Even if Pohang wins and Ulsan loses, it will not be overturned. Ulsan stands at the top again following last year.

Of course, hasty predictions are prohibited. Pohang won three matches against Jeonbuk this season. However, the recent trend is different. Pohang is saddened by the departure of Oberdan and Wandelsson due to injury. On the other hand, Jeonbuk gained some breathing space with the return of five Hangzhou Asian Games gold medalists, including Baek Seung-ho, Park Jin-seop, Song Min-gyu, Kim Jeong-hoon, and Park Jae-yong. In the first round of the finals, Pohang drew 1-1 with Incheon United (5th place, 49 points) at home, while Jeonbuk defeated Daegu 2-1 in the away game.카지노사이트

The Asian Champions League (ACL) and FA Cup semifinals are also variables. Pohang traveled to Japan on the 24th, and Jeonbuk played a leisurely game at home on the 25th. The FA Cup semifinals are also awaiting next week, November 1st. The FA Cup winning team, like the K League 1 champion, will receive a ticket to play in next season’s ACL Elite (ACLE). Jeonbuk and Pohang are both in the semifinals. It requires selection and concentration. Jeonbuk has a wider range of squad operations. There is also the advantage of continuing to play at home. On the other hand, Pohang is burdened because the ACL, K League 1, and FA Cup are all away.

Of course, no team can be guaranteed to win the FA Cup. Pohang cannot retreat either. The point difference with 3rd place Gwangju FC (57 points) is 2 points, so they may lose 2nd place. Jeonbuk, which is 5 points behind Gwangju, must somehow rise to 3rd place to even aim for an ACL 2 ticket. Pohang is undefeated in the last 4 games in K League 1 (3 draws, 1 loss), and Jeonbuk is on a 2-game winning streak.

Is it because the start was too flashy? Ulsan’s recent progress has been slow. In K League 1, the team has been scoreless and draw (2 draws and 1 loss) for the past 3 consecutive games. But there is a green light. Although they lost 0-1 in the first round of the finals away to Gwangju, their performance revived. On the 24th, in the ACL, they defeated Johor (Malaysia) 3-1 despite being outnumbered with 10 players. Daegu was also strong this season. They have the upper hand with 2 wins and 1 draw. Daegu refuses to be a ‘victim of the championship’. Bae Su-jin hit the road to keep his last hope of playing in the ACL.

Gwangju meets Incheon at home at 4:30 pm on the 28th. Gwangju, which is on a three-game winning streak, is currently in the best shape in K-League 1. Second place wasn’t far behind. Incheon, who lost 0-2 to ACL Shandong Taishan (China) at home on the 25th, is in desperate need of a turnaround.

In Final B, the ‘war for last place’ is interesting. The point difference between 11th place Gangwon FC (26 points) and 12th place Suwon Samsung (25 points) is only 1 point. The 11th and 12th places are heaven and earth. The last place team will be directly relegated, but the 11th place team can try to remain in the first division through a promotion playoff against a second division team. Gangwon will face Jeju at 4:30 p.m. on the 28th, and Suwon will face Daejeon Hana Citizen at 2 p.m. on the 29th. Both teams are home. If the joys and sorrows are mixed, the 12th place may change. 10th place Suwon FC (32 points), which has a busy way to go, will face 7th place FC Seoul (50 points), whose retention has already been confirmed, at Suwon Stadium at 4:30 pm on the 29th.