Ulsan maintain K League lead with sixth win in row

Football

Published: 22 May. 2023, 16:11 Updated: 23 May. 2023, 10:46

Ulsan maintain K League lead with sixth win in row

Ulsan Hyundai's Gustav Ludwigson and Lee Myung-Jae celebrate during a K League game against Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Ulsan Hyundai extended their lead to 13 points at the top of the K League table after a five-goal thriller against Suwon Samsung Bluewings on Sunday, while second-place FC Seoul drew with Jeju United the day before.

League leaders Ulsan displayed a king-like performance at the beginning of the match against last-place Bluewings, grabbing an early lead in the fifth minute with Gustav Ludwigson’s volley.

That opening goal was only the beginning of what later turned out to be a thriller with some great goals.

The Bluewings’ An Byong-jun scored an equalizer before Ulsan’s Kim Young-gwon scored a long-range goal in style — his first goal in the K League — to end the first half 2-1.

The Bluewings then yet again equalized with Lee Ki-je’s free kick in the 61st minute that gave goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo no chance.

They created a few more opportunities thereafter, but Lee Sang-min gave away a penalty that later turned out to be an extremely costly mistake.

Martin Adam stepped up and converted a penalty in the 85th minute that marked Ulsan’s 3-2 victory in the end.

Last-place Bluewings remained in their position on the table after failing to secure their third win of the season.

FC Seoul, who looked to close the gap with the league leaders the day before Ulsan’s game, only earned one point after a draw with Jeju United, who had been riding a five-game winning streak.

The capital side could not break through Jeju’s defense in the first half and conceded an opening goal to Yuri Jonathan in the 78th minute.

Willyan Barbosa equalized in the 83rd minute, but that was the last goal of the match.

Second-place FC Seoul and third-place Jeju remained in their spots after the 1-1 draw.

Jeju United's An Hyun-beom dribbles during a K League game against FC Seoul at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, western Seoul in a photo shared on Jeju's official Facebook page on Sunday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

They are tied on points, but FC Seoul edge out Jeju by the number of goals scored — the second deciding factor for league standing under K League rules.

Elsewhere in the league, Incheon United and Gwangju FC also recorded a 1-1 draw the same day in Incheon.

Daegu FC, on the other hand, secured a 1-0 victory over newly-promoted Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Fourth-place Pohang Steelers traveled to Chuncheon, Gangwon, on Sunday to face Gangwon FC and earned one point after a goalless draw.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were also in action on Sunday and earned a much-needed three points after a 3-1 victory over Suwon FC at home.

Last season’s runners-up Jeonbuk, who had struggled this season, displayed a performance like last year.

Jeonbuk’s Paik Seung-ho opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a free kick before Suwon FC’s ace Lee Seung-woo equalized in the 13th minute with his first goal of the season.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Paik Seung-ho takes a free kick during a K League game against Suwon FC at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla, on Sunday. [NEWS1]

Song Min-kyu then regained the lead in the 53rd minute, followed by Park Jin-seob’s goal in the 83rd minute that secured the team’s fifth victory of the season.

The two teams swapped their positions after Sunday’s game — Jeonbuk in seventh and Suwon FC in eighth.

Jeonbuk have managed two wins and two draws under interim manager Kim Do-Heon, who took charge of the team after the resignation of former manager Kim Sang-sik on May 4.

The K League will continue on the weekend, with Jeju taking on last-place Bluewings at home on Saturday, followed by Daegu’s clash with Incheon at DGB Daegu Bank Park.

FC Seoul will then play Gangwon in the capital the next day before Suwon FC takes on Gwangju in Suwon, Gyeonggi.

League leaders Ulsan will face Daejeon — the side that handed Ulsan their only loss of the season — at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium to redeem themselves from their last clash with the newly-promoted side in April and further stretch their lead.

The Steelers, on the other hand, will play a game against Jeonbuk in Pohang, North Gyeongsang, on Monday instead of on the weekend.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]