On June 26th at 6:30 PM, Jeonbuk Hyundai will host Pohang Steelers in the 19th round of the 2024 K League 1.
Jeonbuk Hyundai sits in last place with 15 points after 18 rounds. The former dominant force of the K League, Jeonbuk’s current predicament is a reflection of their struggles: They have the worst home record, the second-worst away record, only one win in their last 11 games across all competitions, and have gone winless in their last 6 matches with four clean sheets. It’s clear that Jeonbuk can no longer realistically compete with Ulsan Hyundai, who are 20 points ahead. Their focus now shifts to navigating the relegation zone and avoiding the fate of Suwon Samsung.
After parting ways with former coach Petrescu, Jeonbuk Hyundai appointed former Chengdu Rongcheng assistant coach Kim Do-hyun as caretaker manager. However, since taking over in late May, Kim has yet to secure a victory, and the team’s position has fallen to the bottom of the table.
To be fair, Jeonbuk Hyundai has experienced significant personnel changes this season, and injuries have significantly hampered the effectiveness of their signings. Brazilian winger Feliciano, who joined from the Colombian league, has been sidelined since late April due to a knee injury. Before that, starting center-back Hong Jeong-ho was already dealing with hamstring issues, missing 14 matches. Another newcomer, Brazilian forward Hernandez, signed from Incheon United, has only played three matches due to a leg injury. After 18 rounds, Jeonbuk Hyundai has conceded the most goals in the K1 this season. Their top scorers in the league are veteran winger Moon Seon-min and young new signing Jeon Byeong-gwan, but they only have a meager 4 goals each. Their attack is blunt, and their defense is fragile.
Pohang Steelers currently sit in third place with 33 points. They’ve gone unbeaten in their last three matches across all competitions with one win and two draws. Their impressive defensive record, conceding only 17 goals, the fewest in the K1, is crucial to their ability to stay close to the top two, Gimcheon Sangmu and Ulsan Hyundai. It’s worth noting that Pohang’s away performances have been particularly impressive, securing six wins and three losses in their nine away matches, giving them the highest away win rate in the K1.
Pohang Steelers prioritize a cohesive playing style, with coach Park Tae-ha emphasizing a strong defense alongside a multi-faceted attack. Following the departure of their core player, Zeka, who joined Shandong Taishan, Pohang brought in forward Heo Yong-jun from Vegalta Sendai and midfielder Obodan from Brazilian side Figueirense. Heo has contributed 3 goals and 4 assists, while Obodan has consistently started in every league match. Combined with the consistent goals from the bench, Jeong Jae-hee (7 goals, 1 assist) and Lee Ho-jae (5 goals, 3 assists), Pohang’s integration has reached an optimal level. With only three losses, their position among the top three is well deserved.
Jeonbuk Hyundai and Pohang Steelers have already met three times this season, with a record of one win, one draw, and one loss each. After being eliminated from the AFC Champions League by Jeonbuk Hyundai with a 1-3 aggregate loss in the round of 16, Pohang Steelers triumphed over Jeonbuk Hyundai in their league match on their home turf, thanks to Kim Jong-woo’s 95th-minute winning goal. This is their second league clash of the season. Jeonbuk Hyundai, who have only lost once in their last five home games against Pohang Steelers, will be looking to stop their slump. Let’s see what unfolds.
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