Ulsan Hyundai FC
Ulsan Hyundai FC (Korean: 울산 현대 축구단) is a South Korean professional football club based in Ulsan that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. Founded in 1983 as Hyundai Horang-i, they joined the K League in 1984. Their home ground is Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. The club is owned by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
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| Full name | Ulsan Hyundai Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | 호랑이 (Tigers) | |||
| Founded | 1983, as Hyundai Horang-i | |||
| Ground | Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 44,102 | |||
| Owner | Hyundai Heavy Industries | |||
| Chairman | Chung Mong-joon | |||
| Manager | Hong Myung-bo | |||
| League | K League 1 | |||
| 2022 | K League 1, 1st of 12 (champions) | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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Ulsan Hyundai have won the national league three times, most recently in 2022, and the Korean FA Cup once, in 2017. At International level, they have won the AFC Champions League twice, in 2012 and 2020.
History
Early years: before Ulsan (1983–1989)
Ulsan Hyundai was established on 6 December 1983 as Hyundai Horang-i, with tiger as its mascot (horangi means tiger in Korean). Their original franchise area was Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.[1] They joined the professional K League from 1984 season. While they finished their debut season as 3rd place, the team's striker Baek Jong-chul became the K League Top Scorer, scoring 16 goals in 28 matches. They won their first professional trophy in 1986, winning the Professional Football Championship, which is the origin of Korean League Cup. From the 1987 season, the club moved their franchise from Incheon and Gyeonggi Province to Gangwon Province. In the 1988 season, they finished the season as the runners-up in the league.
Move to Ulsan and rise to power (1990–1999)
Beginning in the 1990 season, the club moved their franchise to Ulsan, where the headquarters of several branches of owner company Hyundai are located at, from Gangwon Province. Former South Korea's striker Cha Bum-kun took the managerial position in the 1991 season, leading the club to the runners-up position in the league in his debut season. However, he failed to win any trophy and was replaced by Ko Jae-wook after the 1994 season. Under Ko Jae-wook, Ulsan won their second Korean League Cup trophy in 1995, which was his debut season as Ulsan manager. Ulsan won their first ever league title in 1996, beating Suwon Samsung Bluewings 3–2 on aggregate in the championship playoffs. The club then entered a long dry-spell in terms of league trophies, although they won their third Korean League Cup trophy in 1998, beating Bucheon SK 2–1 on aggregate in the finals.
Two Kims era (2000–2013)
Failure to add a major title for years did affect the team negatively. After the exodus of key players like Kim Hyun-seok and a terrible start in the 2000, manager Ko Jae-wook resigned in the middle of the season.
Kim Jung-nam era: Gangsters of Asia (2000–2008)
Ulsan appointed Kim Jung-nam, who had formerly managed South Korea, as their next manager. They finished as runners-up in 2002 and 2003, and started to emerge as a strong force. In 2005, with the return of two key players, Yoo Sang-chul and Lee Chun-soo, they qualified for the championship playoffs. In the play-off semi-final, they beat Seongnam Ilhwa 2–1, and in the final, they beat Incheon United 6–3 on aggregate, with a hat-trick from Lee Chun-Soo in the first leg. They became the league champions for the second time in their history.
The club also went on to win the A3 Champions Cup in 2006, in which they participated as K League champions. Although they lost their first match in the competition against JEF United Ichihara Chiba 3–2, they beat Dalian Shide 4–0 and Gamba Osaka 6–0 to clinch the trophy. Lee Chun-soo became the competition's top scorer, scoring six goals in three matches. They repeated the merciless attacks in the AFC Champions League that season, beating Al-Shabab 6–0 in the first leg of the quarter-finals. These overwhelming attacks they showed in the season gave Ulsan the nickname "Gangsters of Asia".[2]
Ulsan won the 2007 Korean League Cup, beating FC Seoul 2–1 in the final on 27 June 2007. In 2008, the team changed their official name from Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i to Ulsan Hyundai FC.[3]
Kim Ho-kon era: Iron Mace Football (2009–2013)
Manager Kim Jung-nam stepped down after the 2008 season. Kim Ho-kon, who had managed the South Korea under-23 team that reached the quarter-finals in the 2004 Summer Olympics was appointed as Ulsan's next manager.
Kim Ho-kon did not enjoy Ulsan fans' full support for his first few seasons at the club, mainly because of his defensive tactical style and unsatisfying outcomes. The 2011 season was a dramatic changeover; Ulsan won their fifth Korean League Cup, beating Busan IPark 3–2 in the final. Ulsan also finished the season as runners-up in the K League that season. Their unique style of having many players pushing forward in counterattacks earned them the nickname "Iron mace football".[4]
In 2012, the club won the AFC Champions League, defeating Al-Ahli 3–0 in the final on 10 November. In the run up to the final, Ulsan went on an unbeaten run throughout the twelve games of the competition, winning nine consecutive games and scoring 27 goals in the process.[5]
Players
Current squad
- As of 23 July 2023[6]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Managers
| No. | Name | From | To | Season(s) | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Moon Jung-sik |
1983/07/12 | 1986/04/22 | 1984–1986 | |
| C | Cho Chung-yun |
1986/04/22 | 1986/12/?? | 1986 | Professional Football Championship |
| 2 | 1986/12/?? | 1987/12/30 | 1987 | ||
| 3 | Kim Ho |
1987/12/30 | 1990/11/19 | 1988–1990 | |
| 4 | Cha Bum-kun |
1990/11/23 | 1994/11/27 | 1991–1994 | |
| 5 | Ko Jae-wook |
1994/11/30 | 2000/06/12 | 1995–2000 | 1995 Korean League Cup 1996 K League 1998 Korean League Cup |
| C | Chung Jong-soo |
2000/06/12 | 2000/08/21 | 2000 | |
| 6 | Kim Jung-nam |
2000/08/22 | 2008/12/25 | 2000–2008 | 2005 K League 2007 Korean League Cup |
| 7 | Kim Ho-kon |
2008/12/26 | 2013/12/04 | 2009–2013 | 2011 Korean League Cup 2012 AFC Champions League |
| 8 | Cho Min-kook |
2013/12/06 | 2014/12/01 | 2014 | |
| 9 | Yoon Jung-hwan |
2014/12/01 | 2016/11/14 | 2015–2016 | |
| 10 | Kim Do-hoon |
2016/11/21 | 2020/12/20 | 2017–2020 | 2017 Korean FA Cup 2020 AFC Champions League |
| 11 | Hong Myung-bo |
2020/12/24 | 2021– | 2022 K League 1 |
Kits
Honours
League
Cups
- Korean FA Cup
- Korean League Cup
- Korean Super Cup
- Winners (1): 2006
- National Football Championship
- Runners-up (2): 1989, 1999[lower-alpha 1]
- Korean President's Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1990[lower-alpha 1]
- Reserve team
Asian
- AFC Champions League
- A3 Champions Cup
- Winners (1): 2006
Season-by-season records
| Season | Division | Tms. | Pos. | FA Cup | AFC CL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | 1 | 8 | 3 | — | — |
| 1985 | 1 | 8 | 4 | — | — |
| 1986 | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 5 | 4 | — | — |
| 1988 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | — |
| 1989 | 1 | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| 1990 | 1 | 6 | 5 | — | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 6 | 2 | — | — |
| 1992 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | — |
| 1993 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | — |
| 1994 | 1 | 7 | 4 | — | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 9 | 1 | Semi-final | — |
| 1997 | 1 | 10 | 3 | Quarter-final | — |
| 1998 | 1 | 10 | 2 | Runners-up | Round of 16 |
| 1999 | 1 | 10 | 6 | Semi-final | — |
| 2000 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2001 | 1 | 10 | 6 | Semi-final | — |
| 2002 | 1 | 10 | 2 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2003 | 1 | 12 | 2 | Semi-final | — |
| 2004 | 1 | 13 | 4 | Semi-final | — |
| 2005 | 1 | 13 | 1 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2006 | 1 | 14 | 5 | Round of 32 | Semi-final |
| 2007 | 1 | 14 | 4 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 14 | 3 | Quarter-final | — |
| 2009 | 1 | 15 | 8 | Round of 32 | Group stage |
| 2010 | 1 | 15 | 5 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2011 | 1 | 16 | 2 | Semi-final | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 16 | 5 | Semi-final | Winners |
| 2013 | 1 | 14 | 2 | Round of 16 | — |
| 2014 | 1 | 12 | 6 | Round of 16 | Group stage |
| 2015 | 1 | 12 | 7 | Semi-final | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Semi-final | — |
| 2017 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Winners | Group stage |
| 2018 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Runners-up | Round of 16 |
| 2019 | 1 | 12 | 2 | Round of 32 | Round of 16 |
| 2020 | 1 | 12 | 2 | Runners-up | Winners |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | 2 | Semi-final | Semi-final |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 1 | Semi-final | Group stage |
- Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
AFC Champions League record
All results list Ulsan Hyundai's goal tally first.
| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Group F |  Tokyo Verdy |
1–0 | 2–0 | 1st |
| Quarter-final |  Al-Shabab |
6–0 | 1–0 | 7–0 | |
| Semi-final | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
1–4 | 3–2 | 4–6 | |
| 2009 | Group E | Nagoya Grampus |
1–3 | 1–4 | 3rd |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Newcastle Jets |
0–1 | 0–2 | |||
 Beijing Guoan |
1–0 | 1–0 | |||
| 2012 | Group F | Beijing Guoan |
2–1 | 3–2 | 1st |
| FC Tokyo |
1–0 | 2–2 | |||
| Brisbane Roar |
1–1 | 2–1 | |||
| Round of 16 | Kashiwa Reysol |
3–2 | — | — | |
| Quarter-final | Al-Hilal |
1–0 | 4–0 | 5–0 | |
| Semi-final |  Bunyodkor |
2–0 | 3–1 | 5–1 | |
| Final | Al-Ahli |
3–0 | — | — | |
| 2014 | Group H | Western Sydney Wanderers |
0–2 | 3–1 | 3rd |
| Kawasaki Frontale |
2–0 | 1–3 | |||
| Guizhou Renhe |
1–1 | 1–3 | |||
| 2017 | Play-off |  Kitchee |
1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) |
— | — |
| Group E | Kashima Antlers |
0–4 | 0–2 | 3rd | |
| Brisbane Roar |
6–0 | 3–2 | |||
 Muangthong United |
0–0 | 0–1 | |||
| 2018 | Group F | Melbourne Victory |
6–2 | 3–3 | 2nd |
| Kawasaki Frontale |
2–1 | 2–2 | |||
| Shanghai SIPG |
0–1 | 2–2 | |||
| Round of 16 | Suwon Samsung Bluewings |
1–0 | 0–3 | 1–3 | |
| 2019 | Play-off |  Perak |
5–1 | — | — |
| Group H | Sydney FC |
1–0 | 0–0 | 1st | |
| Shanghai SIPG |
1–0 | 0–5 | |||
| Kawasaki Frontale |
1–0 | 2–2 | |||
| Round of 16 | Urawa Red Diamonds |
0–3 | 2–1 | 2–4 | |
| 2020 | Group F[lower-alpha 1] | FC Tokyo |
1–1 | 2–1 | 1st |
| Shanghai Shenhua |
3–1 | 4–1 | |||
| Perth Glory |
2–0 | 2–1 | |||
| Round of 16 | Melbourne Victory |
3–0 | |||
| Quarter-final | Beijing Guoan |
2–0 | |||
| Semi-final | Vissel Kobe |
2–1 (a.e.t.) | |||
| Final |  Persepolis |
2–1 | |||
| 2021 | Group F[lower-alpha 1] |  Viettel |
3–0 | 1–0 | 1st |
| BG Pathum United |
2–0 | 2–0 | |||
 Kaya–Iloilo |
2–1 | 3–0 | |||
| Round of 16 | Kawasaki Frontale |
0–0 (a.e.t.) (3–2 p) | |||
| Quarter-final | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors |
3–2 (a.e.t.) | |||
| Semi-final | Pohang Steelers |
1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–5 p) | |||
| 2022 | Play-off | Port |
3–0 | ||
| Group I[lower-alpha 1] | Kawasaki Frontale |
3–2 | 1–1 | 3rd | |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim |
1–2 | 1–2 | |||
| Guangzhou |
3–0 | 5–0 | |||
| 2023–24 | Group I | BG Pathum United |
3–1 | ||
| Kawasaki Frontale |
0–1 | ||||
| Johor Darul Ta'zim |
3–1 | ||||
- Matches were played at neutral venues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with "home" and "away" used for administrative purposes.
References
- "울산현대축구단". 울산현대축구단. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- 울산, 6년 전 '아시아 깡패' 부활위한 3가지 조건 (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
- "History: Ulsan Hyundai Football Club". Ulsan Hyundai FC. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- 김호곤, 편견과 싸워 이긴 울산 사령탑 5년 (in Korean). Best Eleven. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
- "Ulsan's ultimate victory". ESPNFC. 10 November 2012.
- "선수단". uhfc.tv (in Korean). Ulsan Hyundai FC. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
External links
- Official website (in Korean)
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