All eyes were on the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on the evening of February 11, 2026, as Ulsan HD kicked off a new era under head coach Kim Hyun-seok in the 7th match of the 2025–2026 AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage. Facing off against Melbourne City of Australia, Ulsan’s quest for a place in the tournament’s knockout round took center stage, with both teams eager to secure a critical victory that could define their seasons.
For Ulsan HD, this wasn’t just another match—it was the dawn of a new chapter. Kim Hyun-seok, a club legend affectionately known to fans as ‘Gamulchi’ for his dazzling play in his heyday, stood on the touchline for his managerial debut. The anticipation was palpable, with fans eager to see if Kim could steer the team back to glory after a disappointing 9th-place league finish last season. As Kim himself put it, “Through winter training in Al Ain, we focused on building team unity. I checked the players’ individual skills and listened to their mindset and determination. I will do my best to bring out their strengths and secure a win in the season’s first match.”
Kim’s approach was one of calculated stability rather than sweeping changes. He fielded a 4-2-3-1 formation featuring goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo—whose reputation as a stalwart between the posts remains, despite losing his eight-year streak as K League 1 Best XI goalkeeper last season. The defense was anchored by veterans Shim Sang-min, Kim Young-kwon, Seo Myung-kwan, and Yoon Jong-gyu. In midfield, Boyanich and Lee Gyu-sung provided the engine, while Kang Sang-woo, Lee Dong-gyeong, and Lee Hee-gyun supported lone striker Yago, who returned from a loan spell at Zhejiang FC in China.
Ulsan’s lineup reflected both the club’s reliance on seasoned veterans and the integration of fresh faces. The winter transfer window saw the arrival of Brazilian winger Pedrinho, though notable departures included Um Won-sang, Rubickson, Jung Woo-young, and Lee Chung-yong. Meanwhile, striker Eric continued his rehabilitation after Achilles tendon surgery. The squad also welcomed back loanees such as Yago, Lee Gyu-sung, Shim Sang-min, and Jang Si-young, adding depth and versatility.
Captain Kim Young-kwon, now in his second year wearing the armband, was resolute about the season’s ambitions. “With Coach Kim’s arrival, the atmosphere has changed,” Kim remarked. “As captain, I will work to ensure the team can start the season stably and become stronger.” Vice-captains Lee Dong-gyeong and Jung Seung-hyun joined him in steadying the ship, while defender Kang Sang-woo, who excelled in pre-season fitness tests, was determined to erase the memory of last season’s defensive struggles, when Ulsan conceded 50 goals—fifth-most in the league.
For Ulsan, qualification for the round of 16 was on the line. The team entered the match ranked 8th in the ACLE East Asia group, with 8 points from 2 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, scoring just 5 goals and conceding 6. Their goal difference of -1 underscored the need for sharper finishing up front. The attacking burden fell on the shoulders of Malcom, Yago, and Heo Yul, with fans hoping their firepower would finally ignite. As the statistics showed, Ulsan’s attack had underperformed, with only 5 goals in 6 ACLE games—a point of concern heading into such a pivotal clash.
History, however, was on Ulsan’s side. The club boasted an impressive unbeaten streak against Australian opposition, with 7 wins and 2 draws in their last 9 meetings—a run stretching back 4,320 days to April 15, 2014. Their most recent encounter with an Australian team, a 3-0 triumph over Melbourne Victory in the 2020 ACL round of 16, was still fresh in supporters’ minds.
Melbourne City, meanwhile, arrived in Ulsan with their own ambitions. Sitting 5th in the group with 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses), the Australian side was also eyeing qualification. Head coach Aurelio Vidmar sent out a full-strength lineup, spearheaded by Max Caputo—the team’s top scorer with 6 goals this season—flanked by Medin Memeti and Marcus Eunice. Harrison Delbridge, a recent signing from K League’s Incheon United, made his Melbourne City debut, adding a familiar face for local fans to watch. Vidmar himself was spotted inspecting the damaged turf at Munsu Stadium before kickoff, a sign of the evening’s intensity and the high stakes for both squads.
The match’s significance extended beyond the immediate result. With only two games left in the group stage, the outcome—and the simultaneous Kangwon FC vs Shanghai Port match—would directly impact qualification scenarios. If Ulsan secured victory and Kangwon lost, Ulsan would clinch a knockout spot regardless of the final match. The ACLE East Asia group’s top 8 teams advance to the round of 16, making every point, goal, and defensive stand crucial.
Preparation for this crucial fixture began in earnest at the end of January, when Ulsan’s squad regrouped at their clubhouse following a rigorous winter training camp in the UAE. The coaching staff, including chief assistant Kwak Tae-hwi and tactical coach Watanabe, focused on detailed analysis of Melbourne City and devised tailored strategies to counter the Australian side’s strengths. The emphasis was on team cohesion, tactical discipline, and maximizing the potential of both returning loanees and new signings.
The pressure on Ulsan’s attack was undeniable. The inability to convert chances into goals had been a recurring theme, and the match against Melbourne City was seen as a litmus test for the team’s offensive evolution under Kim Hyun-seok. “We have prepared to maximize the strengths of our players,” Kim noted ahead of kickoff, signaling a desire to play to the squad’s individual and collective capabilities.
As the action unfolded beneath the stadium lights, fans were treated to an intense, high-stakes contest. Each pass, tackle, and shot carried the weight of expectation—not just for progression in the ACLE, but for the promise of a new era under a beloved manager. The match also served as a preview of Ulsan’s upcoming challenges: a trip to Shanghai Port on February 18 and the K League 1 season opener against Gangwon FC back at Munsu Stadium on February 28.
With the outcome still hanging in the balance, Ulsan’s faithful remained hopeful that the blend of veteran leadership, fresh energy, and tactical innovation would set the tone for a season of resurgence. Whether the immediate goal of round of 16 qualification would be secured on this dramatic night or in the matches to come, one thing was clear: under Kim Hyun-seok, Ulsan HD had embarked on a journey fueled by ambition, unity, and the unwavering support of their fans.