Ulsan remain untouchable with 50 points in 20 games

Football

Published: 03 Jul. 2023, 16:06 Updated: 03 Jul. 2023, 18:06

Ulsan remain untouchable with 50 points in 20 games

Ulsan Hyundai's Joo Min-kyu, left, shoots during a K League game against Gwangju FC at Gwangju Football Stadium in Gwangju on Sunday. [YONHAP]

K League leaders Ulsan Hyundai managed a 1-0 win against Gwangju FC on Sunday to maintain their 13-point lead at the top of the table, while the second-place Pohang Steelers beat Suwon FC 3-1 on the same day to extend their lead over third-place FC Seoul.

Ulsan faced Gwangju at Gwangju Football Stadium with the four Ulsan players that faced a one-match ban after making racist comments online — Park Yong-woo, Lee Myung-jae, Lee Kyu-seong and Jung Seung-hyun — all back on the roster.

It was a quiet first half, with Ulsan’s Park eventually breaking through in the 59th minute with a header which turned out to be the only goal of the game.

With the 1-0 victory, Ulsan have gained 50 points in just 20 matches, the first club to do so since Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2018.

The league leaders have managed 16 wins, two draws and two losses so far.

Elsewhere, the second-place Steelers secured an important three points after a 3-1 win over Suwon FC at Pohang Steelyard in Pohang, North Gyeongsang.

The Steelers first got on the scoresheet thanks to Alex Grant’s header in the 41st minute, before Zeca made it 2-0 with another header in the 58th minute.

Lars Veldwijk got one back for Suwon in the 88th minute, but the Steelers’ Han Chan-hee scored the last goal in style with a volley in injury time, ending the game 3-1.

Incheon United also played on Sunday and managed a 1-0 win against Gangwon FC in Incheon thanks to Kim Min-seok’s early goal in the fourth minute.

Third-place FC Seoul, on the other hand, displayed an unimpressive performance against Daejeon Hana Citizen on Saturday.

The capital side found multiple chances throughout the game but failed to convert, ending the game goalless.

FC Seoul still remain in third place after Saturday’s draw, but are now four points below the Steelers.

Meanwhile, Jeonbuk climbed four positions up to fourth after a 2-0 victory over Jeju United, while the last-place Suwon Samsung Bluewings stayed firmly at the bottom of the table after a 1-1 draw with Daegu FC in Daegu.

Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' players celebrate after Song Min-kyu's goal during a K League game against Jeju United at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, North Jeolla in a photo shared on Jeonbuk's official Facebook account on Sunday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The K League will continue this week with Daegu facing Jeju at Jeju World Cup Stadium and Gwangju traveling north to play Gangwon on Friday.

League leaders Ulsan will play the second-place Steelers in Pohang, North Gyenogsang, while Jeonbuk take on FC Seoul at home on Saturday.

Suwon FC will play Incheon in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Saturday, while Daejeon and the Bluewings face off on Sunday.

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