161 days ago, Ulsan farewell game→Final match against his home team for the top spot…’Private’ Lee Dong-kyung’s tragic fate

It’s a cruel fate. But a fight is inevitable.

Lee Dong-kyung (Gimcheon) steps onto the field of the Ulsan Munsu Soccer Stadium after 161 days. But the jersey has changed. He hasn’t been with Ulsan since April 28 against Jeju United.

The ‘Lee Dong-gyeong Derby’ will be a true test of the first and second place in K League 1. Ulsan will host Gimcheon Commerce in the 33rd and final round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 on April 6 at 3 p.m. at 토토사이트 Munsu Football Stadium.

After 32 matches, Ulsan leads the league with 17 wins, seven draws and eight losses and 58 points. The difference between them and second-place Gimcheon (56 points) is two points. It’s a ‘six-point’ battle. Ulsan can win this game to widen the gap to five points and clinch the top spot in Final A. On the other hand, a win for Gimcheon would change the top spot.

Ulsan has been in good form lately, going unbeaten in five league games (W4 D1 L1). However, they were in pain in midweek. The team suffered its second straight defeat in the second leg of the 2024-2025 Asian Champions League Elite (ACLE) League stage against Yokohama Marinos on Feb. 2, losing 0-4.

“I don’t want to blame the players,” said Kim Pan-gon. They fought well in a tough and difficult match. I apologize to the fans who came to support us from far away. We will analyze and recover well and prepare for the upcoming matches.”

Upon returning to Ulsan on the 3rd, the team quickly focused on recovery and analyzing the pros and cons of the Yokohama match. All eyes were on Gimcheon.

Not Ulsan’s Lee Dong-gyeong, but Gimcheon’s “Private” Lee Dong-gyeong. Lee burst onto the scene in an Ulsan jersey earlier this season, tallying seven goals and five assists in eight appearances in the K League 1. After leaving Ulsan, Lee settled in perfectly with Gimcheon, where he played 13 games and scored four goals and provided one assist.

In addition to Lee Dong-kyung, fullback Cho Hyun-taek is also a former Ulsan player. Gimcheon is currently on a three-game winning streak. That’s why Ulsan can’t relax.

Ulsan is second in the league in goals scored with 51 and first in fewest goals conceded with 35. Gimcheon (49 goals) is also strong at the back. They are tied for second with 35 goals conceded.

Ulsan’s defense has been solid thanks to national team goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo. Cho Hyun-woo has kept 12 clean sheets in all competitions (32 games, 35 clean sheets) this season. He was named the MVP of the Round of 32 after saving seven shots in a 1-0 win away to Daejeon Hana Citizens on March 27th. Ulsan has kept a clean sheet in three straight matches

Ulsan has met Gimcheon twice this season, earning a 1-1 draw. On March 9, Ulsan won 3-2 thanks to back-to-back goals from Lee Dong-kyung (2 goals, 1 assist) and Jang Si-young. Rubiksson and Kim Young-kwon scored at home on May 12, but a late stoppage-time goal cost them a 2-2 draw.

A win for Ulsan would take them one step closer to their third consecutive K League One title. After this game, they will have an A-Match break, so they will be aiming to win with all their might.

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