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뉴스

K리그1・2의 최신 소식을 모두 확인 할 수 있는 공간입니다.

Preview: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Vs. Ulsan Hyundai

league 2021.11.03   I   조회수 1010


Saturday evening sees the final bout of 2021 between the K League 1's top two as Ulsan Hyundai head to Jeonju to take on Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. With just goals scored separating the sides and only four rounds remaining, this weekend's marquee match could well descend into a game of who blinks first. K League United's Head of Editorial Matthew Binns previews the clash. 

Recent Form

Both teams have had somewhat contrasting forms since their clash in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals three weeks ago. While Jeonbuk may have suffered a defeat that evening, they have since recorded a 2-2 draw against Jeju United and then a comprehensive win against Suwon Samsung Bluewings that saw them score four goals without reply. 

Ulsan, meanwhile, followed up their memorable victory with a defeat to East Coast Derby rivals Pohang Steelers days later in the Champions League semifinals, eventually losing on penalties after having led the encounter. The Horangi followed up this heartbreak with a loss to Seongnam FC in the K League, seeing their lead slip at the summit, before then exiting the FA Cup semifinals to K League 2 outfit Jeonnam Dragons. Last weekend also saw Ulsan initially let a two-goal lead go to Suwon FC, but Lee Dong-gyeong did manage to find a late winner to ensure his site kept pace with Jeonbuk heading into this Saturday.

Team News

Jeonbuk manager Kim Sang-sik approaches this clash with no new injuries to his squad and is likely to make few changes to the team that saw off Suwon Samsung Bluewings last weekend. Kim will, however, continue to be without Choi Young-jun, Modou Barrow and Sasalak Haiprakhon while Kim Seung-dae also remains doubtful.

Ulsan Hyundai's two main injury concerns are that of winger Lee Dong-jun and centre-back Dave Bulthuis. Both are close to full fitness but manager Hong Myung-bo may be reluctant to field either from the off if he feels they are not at full strength.

Head-to-Head

In their 99 previous meetings across all competitions, Jeonbuk lead Ulsan in victories by 41 to 33, with 25 ending in a draw. However, the Green Warriors have not tasted success against the Horangi this season, drawing both games in Ulsan 0-0 and losing their league match at home 4-2 back in May. Furthermore, with a defeat in Jeonju World Cup Stadium for the recent AFC Champions League quarterfinals, Jeonbuk will be hoping not to let their fans endure another defeat from Ulsan on home soil on Saturday.

What to Watch

Can Jeonbuk lock out Yun Il-lok?


Having found his presence difficult to contain in their recent continental clash, Jeonbuk will no doubt be concerned once more about the influence of Yun Il-lok on Ulsan's right flank. Yun proved a headache for Korean National Team left-back Kim Jin-su that night and manager Kim Sang-sik will have to look to ways to quell the threat he poses. In that match, Takahiro Kunimoto was deployed down the left due to Song Min-kyu's level of fitness at the time but Song could well be reinstated here and tasked with tracking back more often than he is used to in order to provide further cover. Jeonbuk's recent two outings have also seen them deploy two defensive midfielders with Ryu Jae-moon joining Paik Seung-ho and they may consider trying this here with the hope of one of them moving across to help cut Yun out.

Is this Ulsan's time?

It is a tale now well-told but Ulsan have been here twice before. In 2019, only needing a point to take the title from Jeonbuk, they suffered defeat on the final day of the season to Pohang Steelers and finished runners up on goals scored. Then, last season, Ulsan led going into the penultimate round but fell to Jeonbuk at home and finished the season as runners up once more. This year, while there will still be three games left after this clash, defeating Jeonbuk could set the Horangi up for a favourable run in and potentially their first title in 16 years. Defeating Jeonbuk in the AFC Champions League quarterfinals will have certainly encouraged some fans to believe, but a victory in the K League Final A could prove the convincer.

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.


Matthew Binns
K League United Head of Editorial
Twitter: @Matt_Binns


K LEAGUE