After a six-game winning streak, Ulsan Hyundai got their winning streak back on track against Suwon FC.
Goals from Martin Adam, In-Joo Gyu, and Bako helped Ulsan come from behind to win 3-1 against Suwon FC in the 17th round of the 2023 K League 1 at Suwon Stadium on Saturday. Ulsan is now 9-1-1 all-time against the Suwon FC, and has been touted as the ‘nemesis of Suwon FC’.
Ulsan has slipped from its seven-game winning streak twice this season. After winning six in a row to open the season, the streak was snapped by Daejeon (2-1 loss) and Pohang (2-2 draw), and after winning six in a row, the team fell to Daejeon (3-3 draw) and Jeonbuk (0-2 loss). Ulsan, unable to break the ‘six-game winning streak jinx’, traveled to Suwon FC and secured the win. Seven consecutive wins has only happened twice in the history of the K League (Suwon Samsung in 1998 and Seongnam Ilhwa in 2003).
Ulsan was dragged down by Suwon FC in the first half. In the 16th minute, Yoon Beetgaram rattled the Ulsan net with a right-footed volley. However, Ulsan’s offense shined in the second half. After introducing Lee Chung-yong and Bako, Ulsan equalized in the 24th minute of the second half. Ataru Esaka intercepted the ball in the opponent’s half and passed it to Adam, who slotted it home to tie the game 메이저놀이터.
The introduction of Lee In-gyu in the second half gave Ulsan a boost, as he calmly slotted home a goal in the 44th minute in a chaotic situation on a corner kick to make it 2-1. In late stoppage time, Bako made it 3-1 with a left-footed shot from the opposite penalty box to seal the victory.
The day was also highlighted by the retirement match of Suwon FC’s Park Joo-ho. After playing mainly overseas, Park returned to the K League in 2018 and spent three seasons with Ulsan before moving to Suwon FC in 2021, where he played alongside Lee Seung-woo and others. On June 6, Park, who wears the number 6 shirt, played a full 90 minutes against his hometown team to end his career on a high note.