Ulsan confirmed victory with a 2-1 win over Gangwon on the 1st
Jo Hyun-woo mentioned as a strong candidate for season MVP
“I’m looking forward to seeing good results.”
Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo, who led professional soccer K League 1 Ulsan HD to three consecutive league wins, expressed his desire to continue adding stars (wins).
Ulsan won 2-1 in the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 Final A round 36 home game against Gangwon FC held at Ulsan Sports Complex at 7:30 pm on the 1st.
With the win on this day, Ulsan had 68 points (20 wins, 8 draws, 8 losses), confirming early victory in the league regardless of the results of the remaining games. This is their 5th overall win and the 3rd consecutive loss in league history.
Cho Hyun-woo, who was selected as the Distinguished Player, said, “When I renewed my contract with Ulsan last year, I felt that there were not many stars. It was a really good team and had many outstanding players, but I felt like there were few stars. Next year, we will get 5 stars, but we will do our best without giving up on 6 or 7 stars.”
He continued, “The FIFA Club World Cup is important, but I have dreamed of watching the K-League. “I will prepare well for the 6th star next year because the league is very important,” he added.
This season, Cho Hyun-woo has played in all games so far in the 36th round, allowing only 37 goals and recording 14 clean sheets (no goals).
He said, “I think we won today’s game because the players played so well. I know I had bad memories here in the past. I wanted to present good memories to my fans, and the results were good. “I feel really good too,” he said.
As Jo Hyun-woo was a major contributor to Ulsan’s historic third consecutive win, he is also mentioned as a candidate for the season’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
When asked if he was greedy about winning the MVP award, he said, “I had high expectations last year, but (Kim) Young-kwon received it. I had high expectations from the start of this year as well. I thought I could really get it if I won, so I did my best in every game. We are seeing good results and have high expectations. “I feel really good because I feel like I helped the team even just a little bit,” he said.
Ulsan endured fiercer competition for the lead than ever before and achieved three consecutive wins despite the change of head coach mid-season.
“This year, we had a lot of losses,” said Cho Hyun-woo. “It was a situation that could have made us feel discouraged, but coach Kim Pang-gon came and gave us a lot of motivation and changed the team a lot. That’s why we were able to win a lot and play stably,” he said
He continued, “Even if the results of today’s game were not good, the players were confident that they could win. That’s why I think we had a good game because we played what we were good at. “I’m really happy that I kept my promise to the fans so they could watch the remaining games comfortably,” he added.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert Kim Min-soo
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Kim Min-soo! Today, we’re diving into Ulsan’s impressive victory over Gangwon FC, which secured them the K League 1 title ahead of the final matches. What are your thoughts on Ulsan’s performance this season?
Kim Min-soo: Thank you for having me! Ulsan’s performance this season has been nothing short of stellar. With 20 wins, 8 draws, and only 8 losses, they demonstrated a remarkable consistency throughout the league. The team’s victory over Gangwon FC, especially at home, showcased their strength and determination—especially considering they achieved this despite a mid-season coaching change.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of the coaching change, how do you think it impacted the team’s dynamics?
Kim Min-soo: Mid-season changes can often disrupt a team’s flow, but in Ulsan’s case, Coach Kim Pang-gon appears to have brought a fresh perspective that energized the squad. They needed to navigate through some challenging times, yet they emerged stronger, demonstrating resilience and adaptability. This was crucial in maintaining their top position in the league.
Time.news Editor: Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo had an outstanding match and is being considered for MVP. What roles do you think he played that contributed to Ulsan’s success?
Kim Min-soo: Cho Hyun-woo has been instrumental in Ulsan’s campaign. With 14 clean sheets this season, his skills have not only kept goals out but also instilled confidence in the defense. His acknowledgment of the team’s collective effort post-match reflects his leadership. It’s also interesting to note that his awareness of the MVP race adds an exciting layer to his performance—he’s not just playing to win games but also recognized as a key player in the league.
Time.news Editor: He mentioned wanting to win “stars” for the team and referenced a goal for next season. Can you elaborate on what he means by ‘stars’?
Kim Min-soo: In K League terms, “stars” symbolize championships. With Ulsan now securing their 5th title, Cho is aiming for more success in the future, targeting a possible 6th star next year. This ambition keeps the team motivated and focused on continuous improvement. It’s not just about winning once—it’s about building a legacy, which he’s clearly passionate about.
Time.news Editor: Ulsan has now secured an early victory, but what do you think their focus should be moving forward into the FIFA Club World Cup?
Kim Min-soo: While the K League is critical, the FIFA Club World Cup presents a significant opportunity for Ulsan to showcase their talent on a global stage. Their performance here can elevate not just the club’s profile but also increase the visibility of Korean soccer. Focusing on preparation and maintaining their momentum will be vital. They need to convert their domestic success into international performance.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, given the fierce competition they’ve faced, how crucial was maintaining team morale through the ups and downs of this season?
Kim Min-soo: Team morale can make or break a season, especially when results are not favorable. Ulsan’s ability to rally—even during challenging times—shows the strong camaraderie within the squad. Cho’s reflection on wanting to create good memories for the fans emphasizes how much they value their supporters. This engagement with fans can act as a powerful motivator, driving the team to push through adversity.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Kim Min-soo! Your insights really shed light on Ulsan’s impressive journey this season and what lies ahead.
Kim Min-soo: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Ulsan and K League fans alike. Let’s see how they build on this season’s success!