‘Absolute favorites’ Ulsan Hyundai are looking to rebound.
Ulsan leads the way with 57 points (18 W, 3 D, 4 L). The gap between them and the second-place Pohang Steelers (45-12 W, 9 D, 4 L) is still double digits at 12 points. However, after two six-game winning streaks and one five-game winning streak, Ulsan is 1-1-2 in its last four matches.
Ulsan will host last-place Gangwon FC (17 points) in the 26th round of the Hana One Q K League 2023 at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 at Gangneung Sports Complex. It’s a chance. Gangwon is also strong. Ulsan has won both meetings with Gangwon this season. Since a 2-1 win on July 15, 2012, they have gone 25 games unbeaten (21 wins and four draws) in 11 years.
One player to watch is “Umsala” Uhm Won-sang. Last season in an Ulsan jersey, Uhm Won-sang scored four goals and provided two assists in six league games against Gangwon. In particular, the sniper has three goals and two assists against Gangwon in both seasons. 안전놀이터
Uhm Won-sang has shaken off a right ankle ligament injury he suffered late last month and is back to full fitness and form. In the last round against Daegu, he came on as a substitute for Kang Yoon-koo and helped revitalize the team’s attack. Uhm Won-sang will try to score a goal in four consecutive games against Gangwon.
A turnaround from the main guns is also needed. Lee In-jong-kyu and Bako, who are the top scorers with 11 goals, need to get going again. Lee hasn’t scored since the 21st round against Pohang, and Bako hasn’t scored since the 23rd round against Suwon.
The priority for Gangwon is to get out of last place, but they are still winless since Yoon Jeong-hwan took over as head coach. Gangwon has gone 15 matches without a win (seven draws and eight defeats) since taking three points against Jeonbuk on April 29.