Ulsan HD, a professional soccer team led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, got off to a good start to the new season with a complete victory after Japan’s Banpo Re Go.
Ulsan HD won 3-0 in the first leg of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League (ACL) round of 16 at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan at 7 p.m. on the 15th thanks to Joo Min-kyu’s multi-goal in the 37th and 45th minutes of the first half and Seol Young-woo’s additional goal in the 16th minute of the second half. Japan’s J2 League’s Banpo-re Gofu is participating in the tournament as the winning team for the last 2022 season.
Ulsan, which won its first game of the new year, dominated the advantageous position to reach the quarterfinals even if it lost by two goals in the away game on the 21st. If Ulsan advances to the quarterfinals, it will be the first time in two seasons since the last 2021 season.
Ulsan HD created an atmosphere of complete victory with front-line striker Joo Min-kyu having multiple goals including the first goal. Seol Young-woo, who played fullback for the Klinsman team, also scored a decisive goal in his first game after returning to the team. Go Seung-bum, Kim Min-woo and Hwang Seok-ho all made official debuts on the day.
The ACL had been operated as a spring and autumn system, in which group stages were held in spring and the final stage was held in winter, but starting this season, the ALC held group stages in autumn, and started tournaments in February next year to decide which team will win in May. Among the K-League teams, Jeonbuk, Pohang and Ulsan, which passed the group stage last year, will participate.
Meanwhile, Jeonbuk Hyundai defeated Pohang Steelers 2-0 in the ALC round of 16 on the previous day to secure an advantage in advancing to the quarterfinals. If there is no major upset in the second round of 16, the “Hyundai Ga Derby” between Ulsan and Jeonbuk will be held on the Asian quarterfinal stage.