Ulsan's Kim Pan-gon, who is equipped with Venezuela's national university Lacava, will make his first official appearance of the season through ACLE
Ulsan's Kim Pan-gon, who is equipped with Venezuela's national university Lacava, will make his first official appearance of the season through ACLE
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K League 1 'Defending Champ' Ulsan HD will hold its first official match this year through the Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite (ACLE).
Ulsan, led by head coach Kim Pan-gon, will face Buriram United (Thailand) in Game 7 of the ACL3 League Stage in the 2024-2025 season at Buriram Chang Arena in Thailand at 9 p.m. on the 12th (Korea time).
Ulsan ranks 11th among the 12 teams with one win and five losses (three points) in the ACLE East Asian Group under the new system. Since Hong Myung-bo left as the head coach of the A-team last summer, Kim has been focusing on his third consecutive win in the K-League 1. He succeeded in winning the championship as he targeted. However, his performance in the ACLE was poor.
Ulsan cleared a number of veterans this winter and transfused a large number of young blood such as Lee Hee-kyun, Heo Yul, Lee Jin-hyun, and Seo Myeong-kwan. During the last winter training in Dubai, it focused on clarifying the color of the offense-oriented defense that head coach Kim aims for. However, he felt burdened by playing Buriram away match, which takes quite a long time to travel, ahead of the opening home game of the new season league against FC Anyang on the 16th. However, head coach Kim showed his will to do his best as the possibility of advancing to the round of 16 ACLE has not completely disappeared.
The match against Buriram is expected to continue to revive Ulsan's advance to the ACLE round of 16, and at the same time, it will be a venue to gauge its competitiveness in the league in the new season.
Notably, Venezuelan national winger Matthias Lacava, who joined belatedly, is quickly melting into the team more than expected. Lacava is expected to make his debut as early as the match against Buriram. It remains to be seen how much synergy he will have with not only Brazilian striker Yago but also Swedish striker Rubikshon on the left.
Kim Young-kwon, who was appointed as the new captain, will be in charge of the rear. "During the winter training period, I helped the new players adapt well. The atmosphere has been formed to a certain extent where the captaincy team and the senior team can put their heads together and support the juniors," he said. "Coach Kim's aggressive defense is what he aims for makes me feel even more excited. What he draws is clear. I look forward to this season more than ever."
토토사이트 It is the first time that Ulsan will face off against Buriram. Buriram, who currently ranks first in the Thai Premier League, is ranked ninth (8 points) in the ACLE. As it is only five points apart from Ulsan, it desperately needs to win. Above all, Buriram defeated the Pohang Steelers 1-0 on Oct. 22 last year.