Ulsan players against Kawasaki▶ Click here for a larger view
Professional soccer K League 1 Ulsan Hyundai had a disappointing draw with Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) in the ‘Club Korea-Japan match’.
Ulsan drew 1-1 with Kawasaki in the first round of Group I of the 2022 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) held at Haji Hassan Yunos Stadium in Johor Bahru, Malaysia on the 15th.
Ulsan took the lead with Leonardo’s opening goal in the 21st minute of the first half, but just before the end of the game, they conceded an equalizer goal.
The match was a match between the top teams in each league between Korea and Japan.
Ulsan is undefeated (7 wins, 2 draws) in the K-League this season, and Kawasaki is ranked first in the J-League 1 (6 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses).
Ulsan, who seemed to be on the verge of winning in a fight with pride, could not laugh as they conceded a goal at the end of the match.
However, in their last 6 ACL matches against Kawasaki, they won 3 and drew 3, continuing their undefeated record.
Ulsan had 1 win and 1 draw in the group stage in 2018 and 1 win and 1 draw in 2019, giving them an edge over Kawasaki.
In the round of 16 last year, after a 0-0 draw, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo’s save helped them win 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals.
Ulsan took the lead with Leonardo’s goal in the 21st minute of the first half.
After Park Yong-woo received a long cross from behind, Leonardo drove the ball into the penalty area and rushed into it, then shook the net with a left-footed shot.
Kawasaki also counterattacked, but in the 29th minute Leandro Damien’s right-footed shot from the front of the penalty arc missed the post, and in the 41st minute, Damien’s pass from Daiya Tono’s right-footed shot also crossed the post.
Ulsan maintained the lead by one goal in the 44th minute as Kawasaki goalkeeper Jeong Seong-ryong took a shot from the right side of the penalty area by Baco.
Kawasaki, who was dragged 0-1, pushed Ulsan hard in the second half.
Ulsan held up well for a while with goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo’s save.
In the 1st minute of the second half, Kento Tachibanada’s shot from the penalty area and 5 minutes later, Ienaga Akihiro’s shot were both blocked by Cho Hyun-woo.
In the 13th minute of the second half, Damien took a chance on the doorstep, but he was caught by Cho Hyun-woo without being able to finish it properly.
In response to the opponent’s strong offensive, Ulsan responded with Lee Cheong-yong, Yoon Il-rok, and Ko Myeong-jin.
However, Kawasaki, who knocked nonstop, eventually opened the goal in extra time in the second half.
In the 49th minute of the second half, Kawasaki took a corner kick, and Shintaro Kurumaya kicked the ball, which Jo Hyun-woo could not catch properly, to turn the game around.
◇ 2022 Asian Football Federation (AFC) Champions League group stage records
▲ Group I first match (15th, Johor Bahru, Malaysia) Tan Sri Dato Haji Hasan Yunos Stadium
Ulsan Hyundai 1(1-0 0-1)1 Kawasaki Frontale
△ Goal = Leonardo (21 minutes before, Ulsan) Shintaro Kurumaya (49 minutes after, Kawasaki)
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