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The first match of the semifinals of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup between Gwangju and Ulsan at Gwangju Football Stadium on Sunday. Ulsan Yago is celebrating after scoring the first goal. Photo = Korea Football Association


Ulsan HD is one step closer to advancing to the final of the Korea Cup for the first time in four years. In particular, it defeated "natural enemy" Gwangju FC on the road. On the same day, Jeju United and Pohang Steelers couldn't decide the game due to mixed joy and sorrow in extra time.

Ulsan, led by head coach Kim Pan-gon, defeated Gwangju FC 1-0 in the first round of the semifinals of the tournament held at the Gwangju Football Stadium on the 21st. Ulsan aims to advance to the finals for the first time in four years since the runner-up of this tournament in 2020.


Ulsan has memories of showing particularly weak performance against Gwangju. Former coach Hong Myung-bo lost four consecutive games against Gwangju alone. However, new coach Kim Pan-gon smiled at the first meeting with Gwangju.

The two teams operated their rotations side by side on the day. However, Gwangju excluded Jeong Ho-yeon and Gabriel, who are members of the top team. Wearing goalie gloves was Noh Hee-dong, who had no experience in the league.

Ulsan coach Kim Pan-gon watching the match in the first round of the semi-final of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup between Gwangju and Ulsan at Gwangju Football Stadium on Sunday. Photo = Korea Football Association

Ulsan took the opportunity first. In the first 10 minutes of the first half, Gwangju goalkeeper Noh Hee-dong made a pass mistake. Ko Seung-beom connected with a shot in the box, but he was blocked by a good defense and swallowed the disappointment.

Since then, Ulsan has steadily occupied the ball, but failed to open the goal against Gwangju.

It was 10 minutes into the second half that paid off. Ulsan midfielder Jung Woo-young intercepted the opponent's build-up with a tackle. The ball went to Yago, who received the ball from the front, lightly pushed it between Noh's legs and shook the net. It was also Yago's debut goal after leaving Gangwon Province to join Ulsan through the summer transfer market.

Gwangju, which was hit hard, regained its unique offensive tempo with rotation resources, but failed to break through Ulsan goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo's wall.

Gwangju seemed to score an equalizer in extra time in the second half. When half of the eight minutes were added in the second half, Ha Seung-woon exquisitely let go of Asani's through pass. After catching the ball, Min-seo dribbled and fell, shot, and was deflected off the defender, shaking the net. However, the goal was cancelled as Moon's offside was declared. Ultimately, Ulsan won the away game by one goal.

Jeju Kim Joo-gong (No. 19) cheers after scoring the first goal of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup semifinal match between Jeju and Pohang at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Sunday. Photo = Korea Football Association

In the match held at the Jeju World Cup Stadium on the same day, Jeju and Pohang drew 2-2.

The two teams also remember facing each other in the semifinals last year. In the last tournament, which was a one-on-one match, Pohang won the match 4-3 in the shootout after a 1-1 draw for 120 minutes. Pohang also won the championship.

For Jeju, it was a "revenge match." Jeju scored the first goal again this time. In the first three minutes of the first half, striker Kim Joo-gong dribbled brilliantly and shook Pohang's net with a surprise right-footed shot. It was a shot that goalkeeper Ahn Chan-ki failed to respond to.

Jeju, which gained momentum, ran away with Nam Tae-hee's exquisite cross seven minutes later, with Yuri Jonathan connecting it with a header. Nam Tae-hee, who caught the ball in the box, showed an accurate right-footed cross.

Pohang, which was underdog early on, recovered one goal only in the first half of extra time. Jeon Min-kwang, who took over An Jae-joon's header in the third minute of extra time, shook Jeju's net with a right footed shot following an accurate penetration.

Pohang's counterattack continued in the second half, but it repeatedly failed to pass Jeju goalkeeper Kim Dong-joon. In particular, in the 39th minute of the second half, Lee Tae-seok dribbled through the right and delivered an accurate cutback pass to Jung Jae-hee in the box. Jung Jae-hee kicked with a near post exactly, but Kim Dong-joon hit it with his left hand. Jeon Min-kwang's header following Lee Tae-seok's cross in the 44th minute was also in front of Kim Dong-joon.

Chung Jae-hee of Pohang is cheering after scoring the equalizer at the end of extra time in the first round of the 2024 Hana Bank Korea Cup semifinal match between Jeju and Pohang at Jeju World Cup Stadium on Sunday. Photo = Korea Football Association

However, Pohang, which is well-known for its "Taeha Drama," has successfully written once again. At the 9th minute of extra time in the second half, Jung Jae-hee, who received Han Chan-hee's pass when following up with set piece, dribbled superbly inside the box and balanced the game with a fantastic winding shot. Even Jeju goalkeeper Kim Dong-joon failed to respond to the shot, which was accurate.

The second leg of the Korea Cup semifinals will kick off at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium and Pohang Steelyard on the 28th.