gostopsite com

Ulsan HD striker Yago.

Ulsan HD won the first match of the Korea Cup semifinals, gaining an advantageous position for advancing to the finals. 'Defending champion' Pohang Steelers earned a valuable draw with Jeong Jae-hee's equalizer just before the end of the match.

Ulsan won 1-0 against Gwangju FC in the first leg of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup semifinals held at Gwangju Football Stadium on the 21st, led by Yago's winning goal. Ulsan, which

escaped a four-game losing streak against Gwangju, has gained an advantageous position to advance to the finals for the first time in four years since 2020, when it finished as the runner-up, if it records at least a draw in the second leg of the semifinals held at home on the 28th.

On the other hand, Gwangju, which is challenging its first finals appearance, faced the difficulty of having to win by more than 2 goals in the away game against Ulsan.

Gwangju changed all 11 of its starting lineups compared to the match against Gangwon FC on the 18th, and lost some of its strength. In particular, it gave young players a chance by fielding Noh Hee-dong, who has only played in one K-League game so far, as the goalkeeper.

On the other hand, Ulsan showed a strong will to win in the away game by fielding Yago, Rubiksson, Ko Seung-beom, Jung Woo-young, and Jo Hyeon-woo as starters.

Ulsan, which had many of its key players, took the lead from the beginning of the game. Ulsan looked for a scoring opportunity by inducing a mistake from Gwangju goalkeeper Noh Hee-dong with strong pressure. Ulsan, which had been waiting for an opportunity, scored the first goal in the 9th minute of the second half. After blocking the ball passed forward by Noh Hee-dong, it quickly passed it to Yago in front. Yago calmly attempted a shot between Noh Hee-dong's legs and succeeded in scoring. With this, Yago, who joined the summer transfer market, left Gangwon and scored his first goal in the Ulsan uniform. Gwangju brought in Asani to score an equalizer, but the accuracy of the last shot and pass was low, so they could not create a decisive scoring opportunity. Gwangju, who continued to knock on the Ulsan goal, seemed to return the game to square one with an additional goal by Moon Min-seo in the second half. However, the goal was ruled offside in the scoring situation. Ulsan, who barely avoided a goal crisis, focused on defense centered on Jo Hyeon-woo and Kim Young-gwon, and maintained a one-goal lead.

Pohang went on an away trip to Jeju and drew 2-2 with Jeju United with a dramatic equalizer by Jeong Jae-hee in the second half of extra time.

Jeju, which lost to Pohang in the semifinals last year and failed to advance to the finals, was left with regret for missing the victory that was all but certain.

Pohang, which had recently suffered three consecutive losses in the league, escaped the losing streak with a dramatic draw. In addition, they gained confidence for the home game on the 28th.

Jeju took the lead with a goal by Kim Ju-gong three minutes into the game. Yuri Jonathan headed the ball that came from the back and Kim Ju-gong caught it and scored the first goal with an accurate right-footed shot.

Yuri Jonathan, who had warmed up with an assist, finished Nam Tae-hee's cross with a header in the 10th minute of the first half to score an additional goal.

Pohang, who went on a counterattack, narrowed the gap by one goal with Jeon Min-gwang's goal assisted by Ahn Jae-joon in the first half of extra time.

After that, Pohang tried to tie the score by bringing in Kim Jong-woo, Jeong Jae-hee, and Han Chan-hee, and eventually brought the game back to square one in the second half of extra time.

Jeong Jae-hee, who received a pass from Han Chan-hee, aimed for the corner with his right foot and saved the team from the brink of defeat.




bit.ly/outlookindiasports