Ulsan Hyundai, which has booked the top of the K League 1 for the second consecutive year, is shaking. Unlike the first half of the year, which had a one-sided lead, it turned on a red light with a clear decline in the second half. 스포츠토토사이트
Ulsan lost 0-2 in an away match against Gangwon FC in the 26th round of the K League 1 at Gangneung Stadium on the 12th.
It is the first time in 11 years that Ulsan has lost to Gangwon. The shock was even greater as Gangwon remained at the bottom of the league as it fell into a swamp of no wins for 15 consecutive games until the previous game.
Despite the defeat, it is fortunate that Ulsan maintained its lead by 12 points thanks to its standing in the second place.
In a world of competition, you can win or lose. The problem is that Ulsan’s defeat has become too frequent recently.
Looking at the past five games, including the match against Gangwon, he scored only four points 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses. It is compared to the fact that Ulsan has averaged 11.2 points in every five games this year. In the previous 21 games, he scored 53 points with only two losses 17 wins and 2 draws.
Ulsan’s sudden fall also began with a controversy over racism on social networking services in July. At that time, national midfielder Park Yong-woo was strongly criticized for exchanging comments comparing his dark-skinned teammate Lee Myung-jae to the death of a Thai defender, who moved to Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates.
Coincidentally, Ulsan collapsed right after Park Yong-woo left. He experienced his first home game defeat as he collapsed 1-2 to Incheon United on the 12th of last month, and even lost his first consecutive loss due to a 1-3 defeat against Suwon Samsung on July 15. He took a breather with a 2-1 victory over Jeju United on the 21st, but tied 0-0 against Daegu FC on August 5. And as the defeat against Gangwon overlapped, there was anxiety that they could allow a come-from-behind victory if they did something wrong.
Ulsan put Kim Min-hyuk and Boyanichi in place of Park Yong-woo, but they have not yet been effective. As the midfield is not revived, the attack seems to lose its power. Ulsan is feeling empty with four goals in five games.
Park Yong-woo’s absence is not the only problem. Ulsan’s tactics have also been understood to some extent as each team faced off at least twice. Analysts say that the overlapping poor condition of Ulsan players in this situation was a fatal blow. A case in point is that Um Won-sang, who was the driving force behind Ulsan’s victory last year, has just recovered from his injury and is not perfect.
Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo said, Since I took office in Ulsan, the atmosphere has fallen the most now, adding, I have to endure and overcome it. I feel like I’m being chased, he said, expressing regret.
There will also be a stage soon to see if Ulsan will revive as coach Hong wished. On the 19th, it is Jeonbuk Hyundai and Hyundai Family Derby. Regardless of the confrontation with the biggest rival, Jeonbuk has been on the rise since the replacement of the coach, so it has no choice but to be nervous. In addition, it is also burdensome for the fourth-place FC Seoul expedition to wait on the 27th. Head coach Hong said, The problem identified in the match against Gangwon did not come from only one game. I will prepare well by supplementing well with the players, he vowed.