Ulsan Hyundai is preparing for a derby between Jeonbuk Hyundai and Hyundai more than ever.
Ulsan will host Jeonbuk in the 27th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at 7 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Munsu Soccer Stadium.
The ‘Hyundai Street Derby’ is one of the top box office cards in the K League, with fierce competition for the title in recent years.
Ulsan held off a late charge from Jeonbuk last season to win its third star in 17 years. This season, they have been fighting hard to defend their crown and have surpassed the midway point of the season.
Recently, Ulsan faced their first crisis of the season when they went winless in two matches (Daegu FC 0-0 and Gangwon FC 0-2), but they have a history of overcoming obstacles to win titles in the past.
They are still in the lead with 18 wins, three draws, five losses and 57 points. They need a win to keep pace with Jeonbuk (41 points, third place) and Pohang Steelers (46 points, second place), who they face this weekend.
One of the driving forces behind Ulsan’s dominant lead is a prolific offense that never seems to know when or where to break out. Through 26 games, they have scored 49 goals, making them the most potent offense in K League 1.
Lee In-jong-kyu and Bako are the league’s top scorers with 11 goals and one assist apiece. They are supported by Rubikson (6 goals, 2 assists) and Martin Adam (5 goals, 3 assists). The four players have combined for 33 goals. Expect the 111th Hyundai to explode in the derby. Uhm Won-sang (3 goals, 3 assists), Kim Min-hyuk (1 goal, 3 assists), Seol Young-woo (1 goal, 3 assists), Ataru (1 goal, 2 assists), Lee Cheong-yong (1 goal, 1 assist), Lee Dong-kyung (1 goal, 1 assist), Kang Yoon-gu (1 goal, 1 assist), Kim Young-kwon (1 goal), Jung Seung-hyun (1 goal), Hwang Jae-hwan (2 goals), Lee Myung-jae (4 assists), Lee Kyu-sung (2 assists), and Bojanic (1 assist) have also added to the attacking points. 안전놀이터
Jeonbuk has scored 33 goals in 26 matches. Moon Sun-min leads the team with six goals and one assist, followed by Song Min-kyu (five goals and two assists), Han Kyowon (three goals and two assists), Hapa Silva (three goals and one assist), Baek Seung-ho (three goals), and Gustavo (two goals). Ulsan leads the team in goals scored by 16.
Ulsan is also first in team assists. With 30 assists in 26 games, they are recording more than one per game. The possession-based, build-up soccer that Hong Myung-bo’s team is known for has definitely taken hold. This is evidenced by the number of plays they create in the opponent’s half. Jeonbuk, on the other hand, has only 19 assists in 26 games. Ulsan has the edge.
Ulsan has gone scoreless in their last two games. The team focused on recovery after the game against Gangwon on the 12th, using meetings and video analysis to maximize their strengths and work on their weaknesses. They have sharpened their spear and are aiming for the heart of Jeonbuk.