Hong Myung-bo, “Lack of combination and balance… but we won”

Ulsan Hyundai came from behind to win against the Jeonnam Dragons.

Ulsan conceded an early goal to Hanam in the fourth round (Round of 16) of the 2023 Hana OneQ FA CUP at Gwangyang Football Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m., but back-to-back goals from Lim Jong-jeong in second-half stoppage time and Adam in the first half of extra time secured a 2-1 victory.

Ulsan, looking to reclaim the FA Cup crown for the first time in six years after 2017, held off a late Jeonnam surge in the round of 16 to advance to the quarterfinals, but they had plenty of homework to do.메이저사이트

Speaking at the official post-match press conference, head coach Hong Myung-bo said, “I thought it would be a difficult game. We had players who were not in perfect shape. We didn’t have much time after conceding, but we had a strong will to score until the end, and we scored. I want to give meaning to the victory over the opponent.”

On the day, Ulsan went into the match without their main players, including Lee Cheong-yong, Kim Young-kwon, Park Yong-woo, Lee Kyu-sung, Seol Young-woo, and Lee Myung-jae. They also made a big change to their starting lineup. Aside from Martin Adam and Rubikson, Yoon Il-Rok, Ataru, Bojanic, and Kim Sung-Joon, who hadn’t played much in recent matches, formed the center of the attack and the back line. However, the long balls and crosses to Adam didn’t generate many attempts. The second and third lines continued to struggle, but the back line of Cho Hyun-taek, Lim Jong-yeon, Jeong Seung-hyun, and Kim Tae-hwan, and the goalkeeping of Soo Moon-jang, kept the team out of trouble, but they gave up several chances.

In particular, midfielder Boyanich struggled with the opponent’s strong pressure. He was replaced by Kim Min-hyuk at the end of the first half. Afterward, the team brought on Bako and In-Ju-gyu, but they were unable to shake the opponent’s goal. In the dying minutes of the second half, Im Jong-soo scored the game-winning goal in stoppage time. In the first minute of the overtime, Adam finished off Bako’s cross with a light touch. After that, they blocked the opponent’s attack well and won the game.

When asked if it was a bit uncharacteristic of Ulsan, coach Hong Myung-bo said, “The players who came out for the game have to find new combinations. We practiced, but we need to focus on the actual game and our personal condition. The combination problem was revealed, and we lacked balance. I understand that. But at the end of the day, the only thing I can take from this match is a win, and I’m happy with that.”

Speaking about Vojanic, Hong said, “We were not balanced in the offense. It affected the players around him. Kim Min-hyuk came on in his place. It was the right choice.”