Ulsan Hyundai, ahead of the Kawasaki Frontare expedition, faces a difficult match with a physical burden. Ulsan coach Hong Myung-bo emphasized that certain considerations are needed for teams participating in the AFC Champions League.
Ulsan, led by coach Hong, is preparing to play an away game against Kawasaki in the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League Group I second round, scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 3rd at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. Ulsan, who started the tournament brilliantly with a 3-1 win over BG Pathum United in the first round, will once again aim for three points in an enemy field against Kawasaki, considered a powerhouse in the J-League.
However, Ulsan will compete while facing some physical difficulties. Ulsan is preparing to move on to Kawasaki immediately after finishing the match against Pohang Steelers in the 32nd round of Hana One Q K League 1 2023 held at the Pohang Steel Yard on September 30. We are in a situation where we have to unpack on the 1st, complete official training before the game on the 2nd, and then face off against Kawasaki immediately.
Even though it is a close trip to Japan, it is not easy to play such a schedule in just three days, even in the K-League. On the other hand, Kawasaki enters this game against Ulsan after finishing the game against Albirex Niigata (loss 2-3) in the 29th round of the 2023 Japan J1 League, which took place on the 29th. They had one more day of rest than Ulsan, and since they played the game at home, there was no fatigue from traveling. In the position of Ulsan, which is able to complete the Pohang → Kawasaki expedition schedule in a shorter period of time, one cannot help but envy Kawasaki’s situation in many ways.
Director Hong’s reaction was similar. At a meeting with reporters ahead of the Pohang Steelers away game in the 32nd round of Hana One Q K League 1 2023 at Pohang Steel Yard on September 30, Coach Hong said, “All J-League clubs participating in the AFC Champions League played yesterday (29th).” He clearly knew the situation of the J-League teams.
At the same time, he emphasized that there must be support at the level of the Korean Professional Football Federation for teams participating in the AFC Champions League. Coach Hong said, “In Japan, there is a standard that says you cannot play a game after two days of rest. There is a standard that teams participating in the AFC Champions League are given at least three days of rest.”
He continued, “We have a conflict of interest with the opposing team regarding the game schedule, so it is an issue that needs to be resolved, but in Japan, the system is in place. It is very disadvantageous to play such a tough game and then go to Japan tomorrow (the 1st) to rest for a day and play.” He said that systematic consideration is needed for teams participating in the AFC Champions League.
In fact, Pohang, which played against Ulsan that day, also had a hard time due to these scheduling problems. Pohang traveled to Hanoi on September 20th and then played Daegu FC on the 24th. At the time, the match against Daegu was not that good, and according to Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong, the condition of the entire team, including the coach, was very poor ahead of the Daegu match due to the tight schedule and the variable of flight delays.메이저사이트
This can happen at any time not only to Pohang but also to all teams participating in the AFC Champions League, including Ulsan, Incheon United, and Jeonbuk Hyundai. Therefore, Director Hong’s ‘systematic support’ is clearly an issue worth considering. This is especially true when you remember that the AFC Champions League has changed to the Chuncheong system, which has increased the schedule burden.