During the K League 1 mid-season interval, Ulsan Hyundai were busy on the continent defending their Champions League crown with the commencement of the 2021 iteration of the competition. Ulsan won all six of their group matches over the course of two weeks to ensure their progression to the knockout stages. Prior to these commitments, Ulsan had also gone unbeaten in their previous nine league games although their last domestic fixture saw them drop points to Seongnam in a 2-2 draw having led twice.
Suwon FC head into this fixture unbeaten in three and having won their last two including a comeback victory against local rivals and title-chasers Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Tuesday. The result saw Suwon FC move into the top half of the table, albeit having played a game or two more than those around them. Having also scored ten in their last four league matches, Kim Do-kyun's side will be hoping to cause an upset on Sunday when they head to Ulsan.
Team News
Ulsan Hyundai have no fewer than four of their young Horangi on international duty at the Olympics in Tokyo at present. This means that manager Hong Myung-bo will be without defender Seol Young-woo, midfielders Lee Dong-gyeong and Won Du-jae, and also attacker Lee Dong-jun. Hong will also be without Kim Tae-hwan who is suspended for this fixture. Fortunately, Ulsan have a number of options in reserve, especially after being bolstered by the likes of Oh Se-hun, Lee Myeong-jae and Park Jong-woo returning from military duty with Gimcheon Sangmu last month not to mention their high-profile signing of Yun Il-lok from Montpellier earlier this week.
In terms of team selection, having scored in the AFC Champions League group stages, young attacker Oh Se-hun may find himself in the starting lineup and, with Hong Myung-bo likely to also continue to regularly field fledging youngster Kim Min-jun, Ulsan should be able to make use of five substitutes and utilise their depth. With the absences in the centre, it is wise to expect a more experienced combination of Koh Myung-jin, Kim Sung-jun or Shin Hyung-min to anchor the midfield. Fans hoping for an appearance of their newly acquired signing Yun Il-lok may have to wait until later in the match as it is predicted he will likely only have a cameo appearance at most this weekend.
Having overcome Suwon Samsung Bluewings midweek, it seems unlikely manager Kim Do-kyun will want to tinker too much with a successful formula. However, Kim is expected to still be without Han Seung-gyu and Yoon Young-sun through injury.
Head-to-Head
Ulsan Hyundai have tended to hve had the upper hand in their five meetings with Suwon FC, winning four and drawing once. Furthermore, the two games that have taken place at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium have ended in favour of the hosts. The last time these sides met was back in Suwon in April where the Horangi claimed a last gasp winner thanks to the now-departed Kim In-sung after having being held goalless for the majority of proceedings.
What to Watch
Can Ulsan carry their continental form into K League?
While Ulsan's domestic form prior to the K League interval was far from underwhelming, there were some concerns they were faltering and failing to take further advantage of those dropping points around them in the title race. They may have been unbeaten in nine, but four of those were draws. Their last five rounds only saw them keep one clean sheet as well.
However, the season interval seems to have proved timely, and the bubble format of this year's AFC Champions League has allowed manager Hong Myung-bo to not only experiment with the players in his team, but also rediscover form and rebuild their ruthlessness. As mentioned, Ulsan won all six of their group matches in the Champions League over a two week period, conceding just once and scoring sixteen.
Players brought in during the pre-season have found form and confidence, with the likes of Lukas Hinterseer and Vako Qazaishvili finding their scoring touch, bagging three goals each. The competition also allowed Ulsan to reintegrate players who had spent the previous 18 months on loan at Gimcheon Sangmu completing their military service, with youngster Oh Se-hun having an immediate impact, also firing home three goals of his own.
Ulsan will be hoping they can now return to the domestic front rejuvenated as they continue to push for their first league title since 2005.
Shots Fired
Sunday afternoon's clash sees two of the K League's top shooters come face to face. While Ulsan Hyundai's inclusion in the top three comes as no surprise with 250 shots this season, Suwon FC sit just three fewer shots behind them in third. Not only that, Suwon FC have proved slightly more accurate than their hosts, with 40% being on target to Ulsan's 37%. Suwon have also had considerably more shots hit the woodwork than Ulsan, with 11 firing against the frame to the Horangi's five. In terms of preferred shot type, Suwon FC pose a considerable aerial threat with 40 headed shots to Ulsan's 29. Of those 40, seven have been converted while Ulsan have scored six.
Overall, Ulsan have 30 goals for the campaign compared to Suwon's 26, with both sides underperforming by their xG stats (34.81 and 28.53 respectively) meaning the best may be yet to come. Despite their previous meeting this season conjuring up just the single goal, Sunday's clash has the potential to be an attacking affair.
Who to Watch
Lars Veldwijk
Lars Veldwijk managed to maintain his scoring run after the month interval with a well-taken 82nd-minute equaliser in the Suwon Derby to help push Suwon FC to their 2nd ever win against their local rivals. The goal now means he has scored in his last four consecutive matches and eight in his last nine outings. The South African international is in fine form and currently sits joint 2nd in the golden boot race alongside Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Stanislav Iljutcenko. Ulsan's defence will certainly pose a test to the striker though, having conceded the fewest goals this season, but the Horangi will be equally aware of the threat Veldwijk could pose on Sunday as he pushes for double-digits.
Where to Watch
Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow the game live on television. More information can be found
here.
Alternatively, the match is also available for FREE on
tv.kleague.com.
