Bruno Mota of FC Anyang (L) celebrates after scoring against Ulsan HD FC during the clubs’ K League 1 match at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Feb. 16, 2024, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — FC Anyang made their debut in the top South Korean football league a memorable one over the weekend, as they upset three-time defending champions Ulsan HD FC.
Bruno Mota netted the winner during second-half added time as Anyang beat Ulsan 1-0 at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Sunday, for their first victory in the K League 1.
FC Anyang earned their first promotion from the K League 2 after winning the second-tier league last season.
Ulsan controlled the run of play for the most part and outshot Anyang 8-5 while enjoying a 66-34 edge in ball possession numbers.
But Mota came through for Anyang in the clutch by heading home a cross by Yago Cesar with the time winding down.
Anyang head coach Ryu Byeong-hoon thanked a sizable group of Anyang supporters who’d made the long trek to Ulsan for the club’s first K League 1 contest.
“This is what our supporters have wanted for so long, our first win in the top division,” Ryu said. “They gave us the energy to overcome adversity today. We may not challenge for a title right away, but my goal is to build this team into a contending team within two to three years.”
This was one of six matches played during the opening weekend of the new K League 1 season.
On Sunday, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors came from behind to beat Gimcheon Sangmu FC 2-1 for their new head coach Gus Poyet’s first K League victory at Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Jeonju, about 190 kilometers south of Seoul.
Poyet had coached Jeonbuk to a win during the Asian Football Confederation Champions League 2 tournament last week, and now the former Sunderland boss has his first South Korean league win.
Jeon Jin-woo headed home the go-ahead goal in the 80th minute. Jeonbuk are undefeated in their past 14 home openers, having recorded 11 wins and three draws.
Daegu FC beat Gangwon FC 2-1 on a last-gasp goal by their captain Cesinha at Daegu iM Bank Park in Daegu, some 235 kilometers southeast of the capital. This was Daegu’s first win in a season opener since 2016.
On Saturday, Daejeon Hana Citizen FC handled Pohang Steelers 3-0, behind a brace by their new striker Joo Min-kyu.
Joo, who played for Ulsan over the past two seasons, scored in the 86th and in the 89th minutes to make an immediate impact for his new club.
This was Daejeon’s first win over Pohang since April 2010.
Jeju SK FC blanked FC Seoul 2-0 at home on the southern Jeju Island. FC Seoul, having signed some big names during the winter, are seen as the biggest threat to Ulsan’s throne this year but got blanked to begin the season. Their new captain, Jesse Lingard, found the woodwork some dozen minutes into the second half.
Gwangju FC and Suwon FC had a goalless draw Saturday to begin their season.
(Yonhap)
