The league’s top scorer, Lee In-gyu, was on fire again. Ulsan Hyundai secured a 3-1 come-from-behind win at home to consolidate their top spot in the league. Park Joo-ho played 92 minutes in the final game of his career and was sent off to a standing ovation.
Ulsan won 3-1 against Suwon FC in the 17th round of the Hana WonQ K League 1 2023 at Suwon Sports Complex on Saturday. Suwon FC put pressure on Ulsan with a solid defense after Yoon Beom-garam scored the opening goal, but a mistake quickly led to a goal. They then conceded back-to-back goals to In-Jin Gyu and Bako. Ulsan recorded its 13th win of the season (2 draws, 2 losses) to reach 41 points and further consolidate its position at the top of the league. Suwon FC, on the other hand, dropped to 9 losses (5 wins, 3 draws) in the league. ‘Captain’ Park Ju-ho retired to a standing ovation after playing 92 minutes in the final game of his career.
It was the last game of Suwon FC’s “No. 6” Park Joo-ho’s career, and in honor of his number, 8733 fans clapped for him in the sixth minute of the first half. The opponent, Ulsan, was the first team he played with when he made his K League debut in 2018. Park played a total of 127 games for Ulsan and Suwon FC over the course of three years. Before the game, supporters from both teams showed their affection for Park by presenting him with a hanging rug with a message of support. In the final game of his career, Park started and played a total of 92 minutes before being sent off.
The home team Suwon FC started with a 4-3-3 formation. Park Chul-woo, Lee Dae-gwang, and Jang Jae-woong were up front, with Yoon Beom-garam, Park Joo-ho, and Kim Sun-min in the midfield. The back four was Jung Dong-ho, Jackson, Kim Hyun-hoon, and Lee Yong-yi, with Park Bae-jong in goal.
The away team, Ulsan, lined up in a 4-2-3-1. Martin Adam started up front. Hwang Jae-hwan was deployed behind him, while Yoon Il-rok and Uhm Won-sang were on the left and right flanks. Lee Kyu-sung and Kim Min-hyuk were in the midfield. The back four consisted of Lee Myung-jae, Jeong Seung-hyun, Kim Ki-hee, and Seol Young-woo, and the goalkeeper’s gloves were worn by Cho Hyun-woo.
The first half was a passive affair. As it was a midweek game, the tempo was slow. Ulsan succeeded in possessing the ball, but couldn’t convert quickly enough to break through Suwon FC’s defense.
It was the home team Suwon FC that changed the calm atmosphere. After blocking Ulsan’s forward movement around the 15th minute, Lee Dae-gwang opened the scoring with a confident left-footed shot from outside the box. Cho Hyun-woo made a great diving save.
Two minutes later, Suwon FC took the lead. Park Chul-woo drove the ball inside from the left side and attempted a bold mid-range shot. The ball deflected and headed to the right flank, where Lee Yong-soon sent in a cross. The Ulsan defense cleared it away, but Yoon Beom-garam immediately connected with a right-footed shot that rattled the net. National goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo got a hand to it, but the trajectory was unstoppable. It was Yoon’s fourth goal of the season. It was his second goal in as many games after scoring against Suwon Samsung.
Ulsan, meanwhile, conceded for the fifth consecutive game, and the defense was unable to resolve its anxiety. 스포츠토토
In the 20th minute, Suwon FC brought on Ras-Oin-Pyo to boost their momentum. Ulsan also tried to counter with Hwang Jae-hwan and Ataru. Ulsan’s first chance came in the first minute when Park Bae-jong took advantage of a loose ball and shot into an empty net, but Kim Sun-min made a quick save.
Six minutes later, Martin Adam’s header was straight at Park Bae-jong, and shortly afterward, the goal rattled the net after a link-up play between Uhm Won-sang and Ataru, but the goal was disallowed for offside.
Ulsan actively shook the flanks with Uhm Won-sang and Yoon Il-rok, but Suwon FC’s defensive concentration was the advantage. Head coach Hong Myung-bo was shown a yellow card for strongly protesting a throw-in decision.