Ulsan Hyundai is the first team to challenge for 5 consecutive wins after the opening.
Ulsan will play an away match against Jeju United in the 5th round of the K-League 1 at the Jeju World Cup Stadium on the 2nd.
Last year, after 2005, Ulsan, who wore the third star on their chest for the first time in 17 years, is showing off the dignity of the ‘defending champion’ this season. Starting with a 2-1 victory over rival Jeonbuk Hyundai in the opening game on February 25, Hyundai is on a four-game winning streak by beating Gangwon FC (1-0), FC Seoul (2-1), and Suwon FC (3-0) in succession. They are at the top of the table with 12 points.
This is the first time Ulsan has won 4 consecutive wins since its inception. So far, a total of four times (1998, 2012, 2014, 2021 seasons) have won 3 consecutive wins since the opening, but there has been no 4 consecutive wins.
Ulsan put out a challenge to the K-League’s record of 7 consecutive wins after the opening, which has not been broken for 20 years. Suwon Samsung in the 1998 season and Seongnam in the 2003 season recorded 7 consecutive victories. 카지노사이트
If Ulsan defeats Jeju this time, the winning streak will increase from 4 to 5 after the first opening. If they win against Suwon Samsung (April 8, 2:00 PM Munsu Soccer Stadium) and Daejeon Hana Citizen (April 16, 4:30 PM Daejeon World Cup Stadium) in the upcoming game, they will stand shoulder to shoulder with a 20-year-old record.
There are several driving forces behind the winning streak. First of all, after the appointment of manager Hong Myung-bo, the original team has been maintained. Head coach Hong Myung-bo has achieved great results within two years of his appointment by maximizing his strengths and correcting and supplementing his weaknesses through continuous communication with his coaching staff, players, and the office. At the decisive moment, Jeonbuk and Pohang Steelers, which had been caught in their ankles, also cut off the bad ties.
He observed all players equally and actively used resources that matched the team’s tactics and philosophy. It is evaluated that as a result of removing the boundary line between starting and non-starting, all players have the mindset that ‘I can play anytime.’
Director Hong Myung-bo was wary of his most feared enemy, ‘conceit’. Director Hong Myung-bo said, “There is another mountain over the hill. There is no time to be intoxicated with the joy of winning.” The ‘substantial recruitment’ to the necessary position is also contributing to the upward trend. Currently, there is no major change in Ulsan’s skeleton from the goalkeeper to the four-back line, waist, and front line. Instead, reinforcements were made to induce competition. Joo Joo-kyu, who was the top scorer, is taking turns playing with Martin Adam, who led the team to the championship last season. Joo Min-gyu led the winning streak against Seoul and Suwon FC with two goals in a row.
Former captain Lee Chung-yong, Eom Won-sang, and Bakko are still alive, while Esaka from the Japanese national team, Swedish duo Rubiksson and Boyanich, and Kim Min-hyeok, who was strong in Ulsan during Seongnam FC, joined the second line. Esaka is infused with Japan’s unique concise touch and technology. Rubiksson has already scored two goals with vigorous shooting and bold shooting. Boyanich, who made his debut against Suwon FC, is evaluated for his clever game management and passing ability. Boyanich can take turns as Park Yong-Woo and Lee Gyu-Sung depending on the situation. Kim Min-hyeok also quickly melted into the team with his outstanding soccer intelligence. It is evaluated that the power has become stronger as the existing resources and the transfer students who succeeded in a soft landing create synergies.
Ulsan has been strong against Jeju so far. Last season, they had 2 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, and they have the upper hand with 64 wins, 55 draws and 50 losses in their career record. Joo Min-gyu, who worked in Jeju until last season, is looking for his parents. Joo Min-gyu played an active part in Ulsan in the 2019 season before moving to Jeju. He played in 18 K-League 2 matches in the 2020 season and scored 8 goals and 2 assists, leading Jeju to promotion to K-League 1. He played 34 games in the 2021 season and won the top scorer with 22 goals and 1 assist.
His momentum continued into the 2022 season. With 17 goals and 7 assists in 37 games, he tied with Cho Kyu-seong (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) for the most goals, but unfortunately missed the top scorer due to the large number of appearances. Ju Min-gyu made a comeback to Ulsan in 4 years in the 2023 season. Joo Min-gyu, who boasted light movements from the beginning of the season, is currently on the rise with two consecutive goals.
Martin Adam, who is competing in good faith with Joo Min-gyu, also brought good news. Adam, who was called up to the Hungarian national team, reported his A-match debut goal with a header in the warm-up match against Estonia on the 24th. On the 28th, he also scored a goal in the Euro 2024 qualifier against Bulgaria. He returned to Ulsan after leading Hungary to two consecutive victories with goals in two consecutive matches.
The Taegeuk warriors of the Jurgen Klinsmann, who announced his first departure, also joined the team after boosting their performance and confidence. Key defenders, Kim Young-kwon and Kim Tae-hwan, started side by side in the matches against Colombia and against Uruguay, which were held in the tiger’s den, and played full-time. Goalkeeper Cho Hyeon-woo also kept the goal reliably in the match against Uruguay.