Ulsan HD secured a vital 2-1 victory over Gimcheon Sangmu at Gimcheon Stadium in K League 1 Round 12, ending a four-game winless run and boosting team morale.
Standings Impact
Ulsan, with 20 points, maintained a one-point gap behind leaders Jeonbuk, who hold 21 points. Gimcheon, sitting on 13 points, saw their bid for a third straight win thwarted and remained in 10th place after 10 unbeaten games prior to this loss.
First Half: Ulsan Takes Control
Ulsan dominated possession early, creating multiple chances. Gimcheon coach Kim Do-heon deployed a 3-4-3 formation with forwards Kim Ju-chan and Lee Kang-hyun supported by Ko Jae-hyun up top, while midfielders Hong Se-jin, Park Se-jin, Lee Kang-hyun, and Park Cheol-woo anchored the center.
Ulsan coach Kim Hyun-seok opted for a 4-1-4-1 setup, featuring wingbacks Malcom and Bo Yani-chi, with striker Lee Dong-gyeong leading the line. In the 12th minute, Malcom’s precise pass set up Lee Dong-gyeong for a shot saved by Gimcheon’s keeper. Moments later, Ikhan-wook nodded just wide.
The breakthrough came in the 38th minute from a corner kick. A short pass found Kim Ju-chan, who unleashed a powerful volley into the far corner, giving Ulsan a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Second Half: Tense Exchanges and Late Drama
Gimcheon pushed forward aggressively after the break, but Ulsan countered effectively. Malcom suffered an injury collision with Lee Kang-hyun in the 14th minute, paving the way for Yago’s introduction. The substitute wasted no time, delivering a clinical finish shortly after entering to double Ulsan’s advantage to 2-0.
Gimcheon mounted pressure with corners and crosses, including a 26th-minute effort that Jo Hyun-woo, Ulsan’s goalkeeper, tipped over the bar. In the 75th minute (30th of second half), Lee Geun-ho latched onto a chance inside the box, rifling a low shot past Jo Hyun-woo to pull one back and make it 2-1.
Ulsan defended resolutely in the closing stages, thwarting Gimcheon’s desperate equalizer attempts to clinch all three points.
Key Takeaways
The win reverses Ulsan’s recent form dip, including a 3-2 defeat to FC Seoul, while Gimcheon endures their first loss in 11 games. Lee Dong-gyeong and Yago proved decisive for Ulsan, with Malcom’s creativity shining before his exit. This result positions Ulsan strongly in the title race.
