Ulsan and Jeonbuk, the two pillars of the Hyundai family, have come back from hell. They won hard-fought victories against lower league teams that went into overtime.
Ulsan came from behind to win 2-1 in the round of 16 of the 2023 Hana OneQ Korea Football Association (FA) Cup against the Jeonnam Dragons (K League 2) at Gwangyang Football Stadium on Thursday after 120 minutes of extra-time.메이저놀이터
It was a revenge match. Ulsan had been upset by Jeonnam in the 2021 FA Cup quarterfinals. Two years later, Ulsan faced Jeonnam once again. This season, Ulsan has been ‘overwhelming’. In 14 games in the K League 1, they have 12 wins, one draw, and one loss (37 points). They’ve scored 29 goals and conceded 13, boasting a stable offensive and defensive balance.
There were variables. Ulsan is playing a packed schedule that spans weekends, midweek, and weekends. Head coach Hong Myung-bo pulled out his rotation card. He brought in players who hadn’t seen much playing time, including Bojanic, Ataru Esaka, and Yoon Il-Rok.
The lid was lifted. An upset seemed to be in the offing. Ulsan conceded the first goal in the 18th minute of the second half to Jeonnam’s Ha Nam. Ulsan went on the offensive. They knocked on the door. Ulsan tied the game at 1-1 with a dramatic goal from Lim Jong-yeon in second-half stoppage time. With momentum on their side, Ulsan went on to win 2-1 in overtime with a goal from Martin Adam.
At the same time, Jeonbuk suffered an embarrassment at home. They were tied 2-2 at halftime against Paju Min Football Club of the K3, the third division. Fortunately, Jeonbuk exploded in overtime to win 5-2, with Gustavo “The Fixer” Gustavo putting on a one-man show, scoring four goals on his own.
Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
Photo courtesy of the Korea Football Association
There were no more upsets. All hopes for the lower league teams were dashed after the round of 16. Incheon United swept aside Gyeongnam FC 3-0 at home. Gwangju FC defeated Seoul E-Land 1-0 thanks to Heo Yul’s stoppage-time winner. Choi Yong-soo’s Gangwon FC came from behind to win 3-2 against Gimpo FC. Pohang Steelers also defeated Seongnam FC 3-0. Pohang’s Lee Ho-jae, the son of Seongnam coach Lee Ki-hyung, scored twice to win the father-daughter matchup.
In the K League 1 team matchup, Suwon Samsung defeated Daegu FC 1-0. Jeju United also advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Daejeon Hana Citizens 4-3. The quarterfinals will be held on Nov. 28.