On March 15, the night was low, and the flames of the AFC Champions League East Asian Qualifying Tournament were reignited. In this fierce battle, South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai beat Thailand's Thai team Taikang 3-0, successfully locking up a spot in the group stage and joining hands with Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou in the same match.
The pre-match winds were shifting, with a number of players in the Ulsan Hyundai squad testing positive for PCR, and a wave of injuries adding insult to injury. However, with their hard-hitting style of play and strong strength, they easily sealed a 3-0 victory at home, and their road to promotion was smooth sailing.
In the face of the loss, Taikang team showed noble sportsmanship. They not only cleaned up the visiting team's locker room after the game, but also left a touching "thank you" on the whiteboard.
Tae Hong Kong's manager said after the match, "Congratulations to Ulsan Hyundai for the victory, we did our best in such unfavorable conditions."
Ulsan Hyundai's official social media shared the scene and thanked the Tae Hong Kong team for the respect and courtesy they showed on and off the field. They wrote: "Despite the long journey, the Taegang team always treated people with courtesy, and we bear that in mind."
With the victory, Ulsan Hyundai was placed in Group I and will play with Guangzhou, Kawasaki Frontale and Johor Malaysia. The group stage will be played with passion from April 15 to 30 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Ulsan Hyundai's lineup was full of stars such as former Chinese Super League Guangzhou Evergrande player Kim Young-gwon and striker Leonardo, who joined on loan from Shandong Taishan. Leonardo had a great game, scoring in two consecutive rounds of the K-League, and he also scored a goal against Taeport, making him a contributor to his team's advancement.
