After four rounds of fierce fighting in the group stage of this year's AFC East Asian Championship, none of the four K-League teams topped the group standings, triggering a buzz in the South Korean media that South Korean soccer teams are experiencing a major challenge.
Reports indicate that the South Korean teams participating in this year's AFC Champions League include Jeonbuk Hyundai, Ulsan Hyundai, Daegu FC and Jeonnam Dragons. However, after four rounds of competition, these teams failed to top their respective groups.
Last year's K-League champions, Jeonbuk Hyundai, unexpectedly dropped to second place in the group after a sobering 1-1 draw against Vietnam's Hoang Anh Gia Lai on the 25th. In this match, Jeonbuk Hyundai had only one effective shot on goal in the whole match.
Ulsan Hyundai, the K-League leaders, are undefeated in the league, but sit in 3rd place in this group stage, just slightly above China's Guangzhou. Despite winning both of Guangzhou's matches, Ulsan Hyundai failed to move up the rankings as the Chinese club disappointed in the AFC Champions League, even sending only a second team to the tournament.
Daegu FC are currently in second place in Group F, with a win and a draw against Urawa Red Diamonds, but are in the same unenviable position having previously lost 0-3 against Singapore Lions.
