0-3 loss away to Johor
Professional soccer K-League 1 Ulsan HD coach Kim Pang-gon bowed his head as he fell into a swamp of four consecutive losses without scoring in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE).
Ulsan lost 0-3 in the 4th game of the 2024-2025 season ACEL League stage against Johor Darul Takzim (Malaysia) held at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Johor, Malaysia on the 5th.
Ulsan showed a strong performance by securing an early win in Hana Bank K-League 1 2024, but was unable to escape the slump of 4 consecutive losses in ACLE.
Coach Kim Pang-gon said through the Korea Professional Football League after the game, “I think it’s very unfortunate. They failed to score a point and are scoreless. “That’s why I feel even more sorry to the Ulsan fans,” he said. “It must have been a very difficult journey for the players.” It was difficult to get here. “More than anything, I would like to apologize to the Ulsan fans.”
He also added that the league match against Gangwon FC, which early confirmed the K-League championship on the 1st, had an impact.
Director Kim said, “I think it had a little bit of an impact. The Johor game was played 5 days after the Gangwon game. “The flight time was 6 hours, and then I took a bus for 1.5 hours,” he said. “But I think the conditions are the same for everyone.” “Unfortunately, the performance did not come out,” he explained.
Regarding not scoring a single goal in four games, he said, “I am honestly sorry for not scoring a goal. It’s not that the opportunity didn’t come up at all. “Still, I think we need to create more clear opportunities to avoid being scoreless,” he apologized.
Unlike the K-League, Coach Kim also expressed his determination to break away from the particularly poor performance in ACLE.
He said, “I need to study more. While running ACLE and the league in parallel, the schedule was tight and variables such as the occurrence of injuries also emerged. “I think ACLE is what overcomes these variables,” he said.
He continued, “Rather than feeling disappointed, I will focus more on the next game. Now I can focus on the next ACLE game. “I will do my best in the remaining games to score and win points so that I can advance to the tournament without giving up until the end,” he concluded.
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Time.news Interview: K-League Expert Analysis on Ulsan HD’s Recent Struggles in ACLE
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good afternoon everyone, and welcome to our special coverage of the K-League. Today, we’re diving into a troubling moment for Ulsan Hyundai FC after their recent loss in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE). To help us unpack the team’s current challenges, we have with us the renowned soccer analyst, Dr. Joon Lee. Welcome, Dr. Lee!
Dr. Joon Lee: Thank you for having me. It’s always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game, even in tough times.
Time.news Editor: Let’s get right into it. Ulsan recently fell to Johor Darul Takzim with a 0-3 scoreline, marking their fourth consecutive loss without scoring any goals. What do you think are the main factors behind this slump?
Dr. Joon Lee: It’s a challenging situation for any team, especially one with such a strong start to the season. Several factors are at play here. Firstly, the physical and mental fatigue from competing in both the domestic league and the ACLE is significant. Coach Kim mentioned the travel involved after their league match against Gangwon FC, which likely contributed to the players feeling worn out.
Time.news Editor: Indeed. Coach Kim expressed deep disappointment and also highlighted that the players had some opportunities but failed to convert. How important is it for a team to capitalize on those opportunities when under pressure?
Dr. Joon Lee: It’s crucial. In professional soccer, converting chances often determines the outcome of the match. Going scoreless for four games can weigh heavily on a team’s morale. It can create a psychological block, making players hesitant to take chances, compounding the issue further. Scoring opens up games, and when you’re struggling to find the net, the pressure mounts.
Time.news Editor: That’s an excellent point. The K-League is known for its competitive nature, and Ulsan has enjoyed success there. Do you think their prior achievements might be affecting their mentality in the ACLE?
Dr. Joon Lee: Absolutely. The players might find themselves under additional pressure to live up to past glories. When you’re used to winning, a series of losses can feel even more daunting. It’s important for the coaching staff to manage this mindset, reinforcing the concept of focusing on the process, rather than fixating solely on results.
Time.news Editor: Coach Kim also mentioned the need to study and adapt more in this dual competition scenario. What strategies do you think can help Ulsan turn their situation around?
Dr. Joon Lee: They need to reassess their game plan in the ACLE. Concentrating on set pieces, creating more clear goal-scoring opportunities, and perhaps rotating the squad to alleviate fatigue could be beneficial. Encouragingly, he has been proactive in acknowledging the need for change; that’s a great first step. Building confidence through small wins in upcoming matches and sharpening their execution will be key.
Time.news Editor: It seems Coach Kim is looking forward, focusing on the next matches and not letting disappointment take hold. How critical is a positive mindset when navigating through such tough times?
Dr. Joon Lee: A positive mindset is everything. Soccer, like any sport, is as much about mental resilience as it is about physical skill. Staying focused on upcoming games and believing in their ability to bounce back is vital. The nature of sports is cyclical; a period of struggles can often precede a strong comeback.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Lee, for your insightful analysis. As we wrap up, what is your outlook for Ulsan in the coming weeks? Can they recover from this slump?
Dr. Joon Lee: I believe they can. With the right adjustments and a determined attitude, Ulsan can certainly find their rhythm again. The potential is there, and their fans—who were acknowledged by Coach Kim—will rally behind them. It’s important that they don’t lose faith, and I think they can take steps forward from here.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your time, Dr. Lee! It will be interesting to see how Ulsan navigates through this tough stretch and whether they can kickstart their scoring alongside a stronger performance in the ACLE.
Dr. Joon Lee: Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for an entertaining next phase of the season!
Time.news Editor: And thank you to our viewers for joining us today. Stay tuned for more updates and analyses in K-League and international soccer.