"Jo Min-gyu's atonement goal → Lee Kyu-baek's exit" Ulsan leads Pohang 2-0 complete victory → Winning magic number, now '1'
Oct 27, 2024
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Ulsan won 2-0 against the Pohang Steelers at Pohang Steelyard on the 27th with a numerical advantage in the second round of the final of the 「Hana Bank K League 1 2024" to reduce the championship 'Magic Number' to '1'.
Gangwon FC has been chasing Ulsan under its chin by overpowering Gimcheon Sangmu 1-0 the previous day. The difference between the two teams was only one point before the whistle. Ulsan added three points and scored 65 points, widening the gap with Gangwon (61 points).
Ulsan will bring home Gangwon in the next round on Nov. 1. If he beats Gangwon, he will win his third consecutive K League 1 title, which is the beginning of the dynasty. Pohang threw a game-winner in the second half, but Lee Kyu-baek's direct exit hit the ground. Pohang, which had no wins (two draws and one loss) in three consecutive K League matches, maintained its fifth place with 52 points and failed to regain fourth place.
Ulsan's national team Joo Min-kyu shook the net following Ko Seung-beom. In particular, Joo Min-gyu was silent for a long time. The last time he scored a goal wearing Ulsan Yuna form was against FC Seoul (1-0 win) on July 13. He scored his ninth goal in 106 days.
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Ulsan coach Kim Pan-gon countered with a 4-3-3 card. With Joo Min-gyu on the one-top, Rubik's Son and Jang Si-young stood on the left and right sides. In the midfield, Lee Chung-yong and Ko Seung-beom served as a bridge between offense and defense. Lee Myung-jae, Kim Young-kwon, Kim Ki-hee, and Choi Kang-min breathed in the four-back. Cho Hyun-woo defended the goal.
The first half was the legendary `East Coast Derby.' It was so exciting that I couldn't take my eyes off the fast tempo. Ulsan won the ball in the third minute of the first half due to Yoon Pyeong-guk's ball control mistake, but failed to succeed with a goal.
Two minutes later, Ju Min-gyu grabbed the ball and beat one of the opponents and connected it with a left-footed shot, but it was in front of the goalkeeper. Pohang opened with Eo Jung-won's left-footed shot in the 7th minute of the first half.
The slugfest continued. Boyanich in the 16th minute of the first half, Kang Hyun-je in the 2nd minute, and Jung Jae-hee in the 24th minute were aiming for the opponent's goal, but it was far from the goal. Ulsan was replaced by Ataru in the 27th minute of the first half due to Jang Si-young's injury.
In the ensuing attack, Joo Min-kyu's cutback was delivered to Boyanich, but his right foot shot hit the opponent and slightly moved out of the net. In the 28th minute of the first half, Ko Seung-beom's shot was blocked by Yoon Pyeong-guk's good defense.
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Ulsan had a chance after the crisis. The long-awaited goal finally broke out in the 32nd minute of the first half. Ko Seung-beom turned to his left foot and shook the net with Rubik's powerful cross.
Pohang's wave offensive, which was hit by a blow, began. In the 38th minute of the first half, the strong brothers hit Wandelson's cross with a header, but hit the side net. Ataru's right foot shot from the corner kick set piece in the first half hit the ground in the hands of Yoon Pyeong-guk.
Pohang also burned its last flame. However, he failed to score an equalizer due to Cho Hyun-woo's good defense. Eo Jung-won had a one-on-one opportunity with Cho Hyun-woo, but failed to open the goal.
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Pohang center back Lee Kyu-baek received a direct red card for rough play in the process of stopping Lee Chung-yong. When he kicked his knee with the sole of his foot, he was ordered to leave without mercy.
The balance is broken. It was an 11-10 fight. Joo Min-gyu finally burst. It was 19 minutes in the second half. He connected Bojanic's sensational pass with a right footed shot to seal the net.
No more goals were scored. Pohang has not been able to overcome its numerical power.
newsme@sportschosun.com
