The completion of the Steelyard
The K League 1 Pohang Steelers won a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Urawa Reds (Japan) thanks to Kim In-sung (photo)'s theatrical goal in the group stage of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League (ACL).
Pohang beat Urawa 2-1 in Group J of the 2023-24 season ACL at Still Yard in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, on the 8th.
Pohang has virtually confirmed its advance to the round of 16 by maintaining its top spot in the group with four wins in all four of the group stage (12 points). In the East Asian group stage of the ACL, three teams with good performance among the first and second-ranked teams in each group will advance to the round of 16.
On the other hand, Urawa (1 win, 1 draw, 2 losses, 4 points) lost to Pohang twice, turning on a red light to advance to the round of 16.
Pohang, which overpowered Urawa 2-0 in the away match last month, took the lead against Urawa at home on the day and gave Urawa striker Jose Kanté the first goal in the 36th minute of the first half.
However, in the 21st minute of the second half, Pohang got a chance to kick a penalty kick, setting the stage for a reversal. Zekka, who played as a kicker, took the opposing goalkeeper's timing and calmly pushed it to the left of the goal. Five minutes later, Takahiro Akimoto was sent off for a foul.
In the process, Ko Young-joon was injured, and Kim In-sung was put in place. Kim In-sung, who also performed brilliantly in the away match against Urawa last month, scored the winning goal in extra time in the second half to give Pohang a victory.
After the game, Kim In-sung said, "I am happy to win an important game in a good flow after winning the Korea Football Association (FA) Cup," adding, "I was definitely encouraged by many fans coming on weekdays." "I want to win all the remaining league games and finish well in second place," he said.
Meanwhile, Jeonbuk Hyundai lost 0-2 to Ryan City (Singapore) in the fourth Group F away match at the same time. Jeonbuk, which had been confident by defeating Ryan City 3-0 at home last month, allowed Djibkovic to lose consecutive points in the 23rd minute of the first half and 10th minute of the second half.
Jeonbuk, which is on the verge of "zero" after missing the K League 1 and FA Cup, cannot guarantee its advance to the round of 16 with two wins and two losses (six points) in the ACL.