South Korea: K-League Classic, Title Shootout on Sunday

On Sunday, a K-League Classic Champion will be crowned, but it remains to be seen who that will be. Ulsan Hyundai take a two point lead into the game against Pohang Steelers and they know that a draw will be sufficient for them to win the league.
However, having missed the chance to win it all on Wednesday after a 2-1 defeat to Busan I'Park all the pressure will be on the home side. After taking the lead on Wednesday, with a goal from Brazilian Rafinha, they conspired to throw it away and conceded a 90th minute winner to another Brazilian, this time 25 year-old Fagner. They have to do it all over again on Sunday.

Ulsan, twice K-League Champions, most recently in 2005 and AFC Champions League winners in 2012 are backed by the mighty Hyundai Motor Group. Managed by Ho-Gon Kim, a 62 year-old Korean National, he won the K-League Cup in 2011, then in 2012 guided Ulsan to their first AFC Champions League success. Their attack is made up of Korean Shin-Wook Kim and Brazilian Rafael Dos Santos, or Rafinha as he is known, they have managed to score thirty goals between them, so goalscoring doesn't seem to be a problem.

Pohang Steelers, the most decorated club in Korea, have won two FA Cups, four K-League titles and three AFC Champions League titles, but haven't won the league since 2007. Managed by Sun-Hong Hwang, 45 years old, who has been at the club since 2010, he was at the helm as Pohang won the last two FA Cup Finals, but I'm sure he'd trade that in for a League title this weekend. Boasting a squad full of local Korean players, they have been on a great run of late, with five straight victories. One more and they will be crowned Champions on Sunday. Leading the line for Pohang will be Byung-Jun No and Mu-Yeol Ko, ably assisted by Seong-Ho Park, who have 20 goals between them.

 There will be a capacity crowd in the Munsu Cup Stadium on Sunday eagerly awaiting the outcome. It should be a fascinating fixture. The pressure on the home side will be immense, but with a two point lead complacency could set in, and with Pohang's goal threat don't be surprised if they wait for their opportunity to pounce and take the title in Ulsan's backyard. We will watch with bated breath.



Published by @gersloveofsport November 29