"It was a tough match, but I gained confidence that we can win regardless of who we face."
Jeonbuk Hyundai secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Ulsan HD in the 17th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2025 at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium on the 31st.
With this victory, Jeonbuk recorded 10 wins, 5 draws, and 2 losses, totaling 35 points, to rank first. Ulsan stood third with 7 wins, 5 draws, and 6 losses, accumulating 29 points.
Jeonbuk's head coach, Gus Poyet, said, "We showed really good performance. I truly appreciate the fans for creating a sold-out atmosphere. We conceded a goal due to an early mistake, but the players worked harder. The defense we prepared against Ulsan was executed well. It was a tough match. There were difficulties in defense, but we developed well offensively and achieved a good result. The players gained confidence that they can win regardless of who they face. It was really nice to create a connection with the fans after the match. We will rest well and come back strong."
He continued, "Ulsan had good possession and passing, but we were organizationally superior. We showed dominance in our defensive area. We were able to win by performing well in the box."
Regarding Thiago, who started due to the injury of Kompany and scored in consecutive matches, he said, "Thiago has a lot of experience. We had many conversations. He was in a situation to leave during the last transfer window, but he stayed with the team and waited well. When the opportunity arose, he scored a goal. There is nothing better for a forward than scoring. I want to praise him for not giving up and focusing on training while producing results."
Meanwhile, the Jeonju World Cup Stadium was sold out for the day, with 31,830 spectators attending the match. Poyet said, "It was truly fantastic. The atmosphere was on par with that of Europe’s big clubs. Many fans provided passionate support, leading to a great achievement."
[Photo] Provided by the league.
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