Ulsan Hyundai power past Taeport in AFC Champions League qualification to reach group stage
South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai defeated Thailand's Thai Port 3-0 in the AFC East Asian Qualifying Round on March 15 to advance to the group stage. They will meet Chinese Super League rivals Guangzhou in their next match.
Despite a number of Ulsan Hyundai players testing positive for the new crown before the match and injury concerns plaguing the team, they showed great strength with a comfortable 3-0 win at home.
Although Thai Harbour failed to qualify, they showed sportsmanship by cleaning up the visitors' dressing room after the game and leaving a "thank you" message on the whiteboard.
"Congratulations to Ulsan Hyundai on their victory, we did our best under unfavorable conditions," said the Hong Kong head coach.
Ulsan Hyundai's official social media shared a photo of the Tae Hong Kong locker room after the match and said in the caption, "Thank you to the Tae Hong Kong team for showing respect and courtesy during their journey."
Ulsan Hyundai advanced to Group I, where they were placed with Guangzhou, Kawasaki Frontale and Johor Malaysia. The group stage will be held from April 15 to 30 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
In the Ulsan Hyundai team, there is not only Kim Young-gwon, who used to play for Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League, but also Leonardo, a striker who joined the team on loan from Shandong Taishan. Leonardo has scored in two consecutive rounds in the K-League, and also scored in the match against Taeport, which was an eye-catching performance.
