Orlando: Ulsan HD FC, the three-time defending South Korean football champions, are aiming for a knockout berth at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup commencing this week in the United States. As the sole K League 1 representative, Ulsan HD is set to compete in Group F against Brazil's Fluminense, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, and Germany's Borussia Dortmund, the latter being the group favorite.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ulsan HD will kick off their campaign against Mamelodi Sundowns at Inter and Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, at 6 p.m. Tuesday (7 a.m. Wednesday in South Korean time). They will face Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, at 6 p.m. Saturday (7 a.m. Sunday in South Korea), before concluding the group stage against Borussia Dortmund at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, at 3 p.m. on June 25 (4 a.m. on June 26 in South Korea).
This year marks Ulsan's third appearance at the Club World Cup, following their sixth-place finish in 2012 and last-place finish in 2020. The tournament now mirrors the World Cup for national teams, with 32 teams competing every four years. Despite their domestic success, Ulsan HD is considered one of the tournament's weaker teams.
The match against Mamelodi Sundowns is seen as Ulsan's best opportunity for a group stage victory. However, the South African team, which has claimed eight consecutive league titles, presents a significant challenge. Ulsan's head coach, Kim Pan-gon, highlighted the need for minimizing mistakes against the fast-paced Sundowns.
Kim expressed the importance of representing the K League and Asia positively at the FIFA tournament. "As important as results are, I think it's really important for us to represent the K League and show how competitive we are," he said. Kim is excited about the first match and emphasized the significance of both defense and strategic attacks in the game.
Both teams boast impressive goalkeepers, with Ulsan's Jo Hyeon-woo being the reigning K League 1 MVP and a staple for the South Korean national team. He will face Ronwen Williams, the 2024 African Goalkeeper of the Year, known for his nomination for the Yashin Trophy.
In a conversation with FIFA.com, Jo expressed his anticipation for the upcoming matches against unfamiliar opponents and his desire to contribute positively to Korean football's reputation. Speaking to reporters in Orlando, Jo stated, "We have a lot of great players at Ulsan. I can't wait to see just how well we'll execute our game plans."