FC Seoul is busy with a long way to go, 'Early 3 consecutive losses' laidback Ulsan 500,000 spectators + ACL tickets, life and death'Sangam'
Nov 10, 2024
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Seoul, which is challenging to surpass 500,000 spectators (after counting paid spectators) for the first time in K League 1 history, will play its last home game this season. The opponent is Ulsan. Seoul will hold the fourth round of the final against Ulsan at 2 p.m. on the 10th at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Ulsan defeated second-place Gangwon FC 2-1 in the last round and confirmed its K-League 1 championship early for the third consecutive year. Ulsan, which scored 68 points, widened the gap with Gangwon (61 points) to seven points. Ulsan reached the top of the K League 1 in 2022 for the first time in 17 years, and last year won its first two consecutive games since its foundation. It is also the first time that the team has won three consecutive games. He tied the year 1996 and 2005 to wear the fifth star on his chest.
After Seongnam FC (1993-1995, 2001-2003), which was a corporate club, and Jeonbuk Hyundai, which won the K League 1 for five consecutive years from 2017 to 2021, it became the third team to win three consecutive games. Ulsan even qualified for the Asian Champions League (ACLE) next season.
Seoul, ranked fourth with 54 points, is making every effort to return to the Asian stage. The K-League has 2.5 ACLE and one ACL2 qualification, a sub-competition. Ulsan has 1.5 ACLE tickets left. However, there are many variables, so there is no 'confirmed' until the end.
We also need to watch Ulsan and Pohang Steelers' journey to the Korea Cup final (30th, Seoul), ACLE and ACL2 in the 2024-2025 season. The ACLE winning team, which includes Ulsan, Pohang, and Gwangju FC, will have one ticket next season. The ACL2 winners, in which Jeonbuk Hyundai is participating, will be eligible to participate in ACLE PO. As Gimcheon Sangmu is not allowed to play in the ACL, Seoul must finish the league as high as possible to increase the probability of advancing to the ACL.
Seoul has accumulated 463,803 spectators during the 2024 season. Seoul broke the record for the most spectators in the K-League in a single season last year in 17 home games this season. There are now 36,197 people left until 500,000 people.
First of all, the reservation alone easily exceeded 30,000. I'm interested in whether I can fill the last number. Jesse Lingard has prepared a small gift for his fans to repay them for their consistent support throughout the season. We are facing our last home game against Ulsan HD, and we need a lot of support from our fans to gain strong energy. If you come and cheer for us, I'll repay you with a great victory," he said, expressing his determination.
Ulsan is counting on Jupo Joo Min-gyu. There were some ups and downs this season, but it eventually broke out at a decisive moment. On the 27th of last month, he opened the scoring in 106 days in an away match (2-0 win) against the Pohang Steelers and led his team to an early victory with a wedge goal against Gangwon.
The resident regulation is strong in Seoul. Ulsan has met with Seoul three times this season and has two wins and one draw. Joo Min-kyu scored the first goal on June 16 (2-2 draw), and on July 13 (1-0 win), he scored Yoon Il-rok's pass in the second half extra time to lead the victory. He showed off his solid performance with an equalizer in the away game (2-1 win) on March 12 last year and a multi-goal in the away game (2-2) on August 27. If he breaks it this time, it will be his third consecutive goal against Seoul.
newsme@sportschosun.com
