Ulsan Hyundai Face Yokohama F. Marinos in AFC Champions League Semi-Final

Ulsan Hyundai FC, the 2022 K League champions, are set to face Yokohama F. Marinos in the semi-final of the AFC Champions League. The first leg will be played on April 24, 2024 at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Japan. Ulsan are aiming to reach the final of the prestigious Asian club competition for the second time in three years.

In the first leg, Ulsan defeated Yokohama 1-0 at home, taking a narrow lead to Japan for the second leg. Midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong scored the decisive goal in the 19th minute. Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed satisfaction after Ulsan confirmed their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 following the first leg win.

Ulsan just need to avoid a loss in the second leg to advance to the two-legged final next month. They have won the AFC Champions League title twice, most recently in 2020. The team is currently third in the 2023 K League 1 season, three points behind league leaders Pohang Steelers, and have scored the most goals (16) in the league so far.

Key players for Ulsan include Lee Dong-gyeong, who has been involved in 10 of Ulsan's goals, and forward Joo Min-kyu, a two-time K League 1 scoring champion. Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo has also been solid in the knockout stage of the Champions League, conceding only two goals in five matches.

Why this matters: The winner of this semi-final tie will advance to the AFC Champions League final, with a chance to be crowned the best club team in Asia. Success in the competition also earns qualification for the FIFA Club World Cup, where the champions will compete against the top clubs from other confederations.

Yokohama F. Marinos, the 2022 J-League champions, will be looking to overturn the one-goal deficit in front of their home supporters. They are expected to take a more attacking approach after being second-best for much of the first leg. However, Ulsan are likely to deploy a similar defensive 4-2-3-1 formation that proved effective in the first match. With a spot in the final on the line, a tightly contested match is anticipated at the Nissan Stadium.

Key Takeaways

• Ulsan Hyundai FC, 2022 K League champions, face Yokohama in AFC Champions League semi-final.
• Ulsan won 1-0 in the first leg, with Lee Dong-gyeong scoring the decisive goal.
• Ulsan need to avoid defeat in the second leg to reach the two-legged final.
• Ulsan have won the AFC Champions League title twice, most recently in 2020.
• The winner will advance to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.