Ulsan Hyundai has marked their first victory of the K League 1 2025 season with a convincing 2-0 win against Daejeon Hana Citizen, showcasing the promising performances of new signings. The match, held on February 23 at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium, was pivotal for Ulsan, bouncing back from their earlier defeat to FC Anyang.
Following their disappointing 0-1 loss to Anyang at home just over a week ago, Ulsan was eager to regain momentum. Coach Kim Pan-gon emphasized the importance of the game, stating, "We needed to change the atmosphere after the last match, and this victory helps us do just this," as reported by Newsis.
The match began with Ulsan quickly taking control. The deadlock was broken early, just seven minutes in, when Yoon Jae-seok scored the first goal following clever interplay with Bojanic, who assisted the finish with pinpoint accuracy. This was Yoon's first goal for the team since transferring from Cheonan City FC, making his impact felt almost instantly.
Ulsan fielded their typical 4-4-2 formation, with partners of the forwards, Huh Yul and Rakaba, supported effectively by the midfielders Yoon Jae-seok and Eom Won-sang. Captain Kim Young-gwon and Seo Myung-kwan anchored the defense, providing stability.
Despite Daejeon’s attempts to balance the scoreline, they struggled for the most part to break down Ulsan's resolute defense. After numerous substitutions and tactical changes during the match, Daejeon's attacks were thwarted effectively. Their inability to convert opportunities came back to haunt them when Ulsan extended their lead shortly after the start of the second half.
At the 58-minute mark, Huh Yul netted the second goal for Ulsan, heading the ball past the Daejeon goalkeeper after another well-placed free kick from Bojanic, marking his first goal for the team as well. This put Ulsan firmly on the path to victory.
Huh's impact has not gone unnoticed, with Coach Kim praising the new signings by saying, "The new players have integrated well and are already showing their qualities on the pitch, which is fantastic for our squad moving forward." This sentiment highlights the team's adaptability and strength as the season progresses.
Daejeon, on the other hand, faced frustration as they could not replicate their earlier win against Pohang Steelers, where they triumphed 3-0. With the loss to Ulsan, they now have one win and one loss this season, reflecting the competitive nature of the league.
Moving forward, Ulsan looks to build on this positive momentum. They are not only defending champions but are gunning for their fifth consecutive league title, imposing their intentions firmly with this victory. Both teams will take valuable experiences from this game as they navigate through the rest of the K League season.
With both new players and established stars contributing to the team's performance, Ulsan has set the tone for their campaign, sending out a message to the rest of the league. Their season aspirations resonate loudly, and they are already appearing to be serious contenders for the top of the leaderboard.