Description
Pohang allowed the first goal in Group J of the 2023/24 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL) group stage against Urawa Red Diamonds at Pohang Steel Yard on the 8th, but won 2-1 thanks to Zeka's penalty equalizer in the 21st minute of the second half and Kim In-sung's dramatic come-from-behind goal in the extra time of the second half.
Pohang, the 2023 FA Cup champion, was placed in Group J along with Wuhan Sajeon (China), Hanoi (Vietnam), and the defending champion Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) in the ACL group stage this season. Prior to the match, Pohang took the lead in Group J with all three group matches won.
Pohang, which won 2-0 away from Urawa in the third round of the group stage on the 24th of last month, won four consecutive group stages as it overpowered Urawa at home. As Hanoi came from behind to win 2-1 against Wuhan in the other match of the same group, Pohang confirmed its early advance to the round of 16 regardless of the remaining group stage results.
Pohang struggled to open the Urawa goal after allowing Guinea striker Jose Kanté to score the first goal in the 36th minute of the first half. Pohang's reversal drama, which was not followed by goal luck, began with a penalty kick in the 21st minute of the second half.
Video reading (VAR) was activated when Hong Yoon-sang's cross hit Urawa defender Marius Huibroten's hand in the penalty box, and the referee checked the on-field monitor and gave Pohang a penalty kick. Zeka then scored a clean penalty kick to make the score 1-1.
Pohang, which tied the game, even gained a numerical advantage in the 27th minute of the second half and pressured Urawa. Urawa winger Akimoto Takahiro was sent off directly for making a dangerous tackle in the process of blocking Ko Young-joon. The referee initially gave Akimoto a warning, but at the recommendation of the VAR room, he checked the scene again on the monitor, canceled the warning and took out the red card.
However, Pohang could not smile as well. Ko Young-joon, who received a deep tackle, left the stadium on a stretcher, complaining of severe pain. In the end, Pohang put Kim In-sung on the ground in place of Ko Young-joon, who became unable to play the game.
Kim In-sung, who was put on the ground in an unexpected situation, became a hero of Pohang. With nine minutes of extra time in the second half, Pohang succeeded in reversing the game with Kim In-sung's theatrical goal ahead of the end of the game. Kim Seung-dae's cross hit the goalkeeper's hand, but the second ball fell in front of Kim In-sung, leading to a come-from-behind goal.
Coach Kim, who attended the press conference after the game, said, "I was a little worried when I watched the game between Ulsan and Incheon yesterday," adding, "We weren't in a situation where we could play the best 11 from the beginning, but I was worried about what if we couldn't, but the players did better than expected."
"I'm grateful that I can do my best to bring the victory to the end," he said. "Jeonbuk also lost, but I felt proud that Pohang was doing well while undefeated among the K-League teams."
Incheon and Ulsan lost in Shandong Taishan (China) and Johor Darul Takjim FC (Malaysia), respectively, on the 7th, and Jeonbuk also kept its K-League pride as Pohang became the only team to win the fourth round of the group stage while losing 0-2 in the away match of Ryan City Salers FC (Singapore) on the 8th.
However, despite the thrilling come-from-behind victory, head coach Kim could not laugh much. Ko Young-joon was taken off on a stretcher after being tackled deeply, and Kim Seung-dae, the starting point of the come-from-behind goal, also complained of pain after crossing, and medical staff were put in.
Regarding the status of the two players, head coach Kim said, "I was worried as (the late) Young-jun and (Kim) Seung-dae were injured ahead of the East Coast derby against Ulsan," adding, "Young-jun is icing because his ankle is swollen." Seung-dae is not walking properly, and it is said that there was a crackling sound. I think it will come out tomorrow after a thorough diagnosis," he explained.
Pohang is scheduled to play Ulsan at 4:30 p.m. on the 12th at Munsu Stadium in Ulsan, the 36th round of the "Hana One Q K League 1 2023" and the East Coast Derby. Ahead of the important schedule, coach Kim's agony has deepened as Ko Young-joon and Kim Seung-dae are suspected of being absent due to injuries.