Ulsan HD FC fall in Asia but rise globally
Ulsan HD FC, formerly known as Ulsan Hyundai FC, came heartbreakingly close to reaching the final of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday.
Ulsan HD FC or the Tigers as they are fondly known, continental champions in 2012 and 2020, went all the way to the semi-finals, taking on Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan. In the first leg, the Korean team won 1-0, a narrow but significant advantage to take to the second leg.
On a wet night at the Yokohama International Stadium, the host team raced into a 3-0 lead but Ulsan came back to score twice before half-time. That leveled the tie at 3-3 overall and while Ulsan had chances to score the decisive goal, the game went into extra time and then a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, every player scored except for Kim Min-woo and then Yokohama outscored the Tigers 5-4. and that was that. It could not have been closer. Had Ulsan won, then a final against Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates would have been winnable and a third title might have been secured.
It was not to be but there is some good news. Despite not making the final, Ulsan’s adventures and success in Asia have also meant that the team has a real chance to make their name on the global stage.
In the past, the Asian champion earned a place at the FIFA Club World Cup. This short tournament featured the winner from each confederation and didn’t last much longer than a week.
After Ulsan won in Asia in 2012, the Tigers then went to the Club World Cup and lost to Monterey of Mexico and that was that. Eight years later was another defeat against Mexican opposition in the opening game, this time Tigres de México.
Next time will be different. The next Club World Cup will take place in the United States in 2025. It will feature 32 teams and will last four weeks. That means that there will be a number of games for all teams and even those who lose the first one will have a chance to bounce back.
Asia will have four spots — compared to 12 from Europe — but Ulsan had already booked their place before the Yokohama match due to their consistent success over the previous four years.
It will be a full-fledged tournament and a big deal. It is also huge financially. Figures have not yet been made official but it is being reported that teams could receive $50 million.
That is a significant amount even for a club in the English Premier League — the richest domestic football tournament in the world — but for a team in Korea, it would be a massive deal. It could take Ulsan to the next level and given that Hong Myung-bo’s men have been the number one team in recent years, that is a scary thought.
That is next year. For now, Ulsan will have to overcome the disappointment of Yokohama and focus on winning a third straight K League title. Not many will bet against them doing just that.