Ulsan Hyundai will host Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the quarter-final of the AFC Champions League. Both of these Korean teams are still undefeated in the tournament’s knockout round. They played to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their tie last week.
Preview (Ulsan Hyundai vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors)
For the third straight game in this competition, Ulsan managed to secure a victory away from home despite trailing late in the first leg. The defending K1 League winners have scored multiple goals in each of their three home winners League games this season. Ulsan has not performed well in the second leg of their recent Champions League ties. They lost their previous two return matches in this competition by a score of 3-0 in 2018 and 2019. This team has never lost at the quarterfinal level of this tournament.
However, Hong Myung-bo’s team is playing well going into this game. They have won their last eight games in all competitions and have kept clean sheets at home. In three of their last four games at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan has not conceded a goal. They have not trailed in any of their home games this season. They have defeated Jeonbuk at home in their last four games across all competitions, and they have not scored in their last two meetings in Ulsan.
Earlier this week, Jeonbuk extended their winning streak to five games across all competitions, despite their inability to win their last four games. Dan Petrescu’s team has only won once in this competition this year (2-0 over Pohang Steelers). Last Tuesday marked the second time this season that they had lost a Champions League match.
Team News
Ulsan made four changes to their starting 11 from their opening game against Jeonbuk last week to their leg-two victories over Ventforet Kofu (2-1). Kim Kee-hee, Ataru Esaka, Lee Dong-gyeong, and Martin Adam were replaced by Hwang Seok-ho, Lee Kyu-seong, Kim Min-hyeok, and Joo Min-kyu. Jo Hyeon-woo gave up one of his three shots. Ulsan Motors’ Lee Myung-jae scored the equalizing goal in the 77th minute last week.
Due to a heel injury, Kwon Chang-hoon is unlikely to play for Jeonbuk on Tuesday, and Hernandez Rodrigues is still sidelined with a leg problem. Four minutes into their first game against Ulsan, Song Min-kyu gave them the lead, but Kim Jeong-hoon gave up for the second time in this competition.
Ulsan Hyundai 1-1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
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