Even earlier than the 2025 Hana Financial institution Ok League 1 season begins, Ok League’s continental contenders will take to the sphere within the AFC’s Champions League competitions. Pohang Steelers face a tough residence fixture with J.League giants Kawasaki Frontale, shock bundle Gwangju FC are away to Chinese language Tremendous League aspect Shandong Taishan, and Ok League champions Ulsan HD are away to Thai giants Buriram United within the AFC Champions League Elite, earlier than Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head to the Thai capital to face Port FC in AFC Champions League Two.
AFC Champions League EliteMatchday 7 of 8
Tuesday eleventh February
Pohang Steelers vs. Kawasaki Frontale – 19:00 KST
Pohang’s Matchday 6 win over Vissel Kobe has given Park Tae-ha’s aspect hopes of progressing to the knockouts, sitting on 9 factors in fifth place however simply two factors above ninth. The 2024 Korea Cup winners return to motion in 2025 for the go to of J.League giants Kawasaki Frontale, a aspect that sits instantly above them within the desk and three factors higher off. Pohang’s kind within the competitors has been hit or miss, alternating between wins and losses over the primary six matches. Kawasaki have received their final three on the bounce and also will take to the sphere for the primary time in a aggressive match in 2025 when taking up the Steelers.
There are prone to be loads of photographs in Tuesday’s recreation as the 2 groups rank extremely for makes an attempt on aim. Pohang are fifth amongst groups from the East aspect of the competitors with 73, and Kawasaki sixth with 72. Pohang have been way more correct, although, with 39.7% discovering the goal the fourth-best amongst groups from the East. Kawasaki’s Brazilian star Erison ranks third for touches within the field per 90 at 7.2, whereas Pohang’s Jorge Teixeira is third for headed photographs with 4. There might be a debut for Juninho Rocha as Park Tae-ha reshuffles his beginning lineup following some key departures, similar to winger Jeong Jae-hee.
Tuesday’s assembly is the primary between the 2 golf equipment since 2009 when Pohang earned an away win and a house draw within the Group Stage. Pohang have a very good latest file in opposition to J.League golf equipment with simply two defeats and 6 wins over the past 10 encounters. For Frontale in opposition to Ok League sides, it is 4 wins, three attracts, and three losses.
Shandong Taishan vs. Gwangju FC – 21:00 KST
Gwangju FC will likely be trying to choose up the place they left off in ACLE having shocked many with their scorching begin to life in continental competitors. Gwangju received 4, drew one, and misplaced simply as soon as of their opening six matches to take a seat joint prime of the league on 13 factors, six away from ninth. A win on Tuesday would seal a spot within the Spherical of 16. Yokohama F. Marinos could be the prime scorers, however Gwangju have one of the best capturing accuracy in the entire competitors at 46.3%, with Jasir Asani main all gamers from the East with 66.67%.
They tackle a Shandong Taishan aspect that has work to do to qualify for the subsequent section, sitting tenth however only a level behind Buriram in eighth. Shandong have received simply as soon as twice within the competitors this season, each at residence, together with their first which got here in opposition to a Central Coast Mariners outfit that is earned only one level from six video games. However they’re among the many extra trigger-happy groups within the competitors, although, with 87 complete photographs the fifth-most – third amongst groups from the East. Accuracy lets them down with 34.5% solely sufficient for them to rank tenth in that regard.
Shandong’s residence kind is superb with simply two losses of their final 19 matches in all competitions however suffered back-to-back residence losses within the ACL this season, each to Japanese opposition. The match will likely be seen as a must-win for Shandong, a aspect with some acquainted faces – former Ulsan duo Vako Qazaishvili and Leonardo in addition to former Pohang striker Zeca.
Gwangju will take confidence within the wins over arguably greater golf equipment than Shandong already this season, in addition to fellow Chinese language Tremendous League membership Shanghai Shenhua, and picked up a really credible 1-1 draw away to Shanghai Port of their final ACL outing. Shandong haven’t got one of the best of data in opposition to Ok League opposition, managing 5 wins, 5 attracts, and dropping 13.
Wednesday twelfth February
Buriram United vs. Ulsan HD – 21:00 KST
Ulsan HD have a good bit of labor to do if they’re to qualify for the subsequent section of the competitors. The Horangi sit second-bottom following only one win and 5 losses and are 5 factors adrift of the highest eight. Merely put, Kim Pan-gon’s aspect should win their final two matches and hope that groups above them slip up. Buriram United, then, the aspect that at present occupies eighth place, are the right opposition with Wednesday’s conflict one thing of a six-pointer.
The Horangi might want to begin turning possession into factors, although. Ulsan have racked up 59.8% possession, the best amongst all groups within the East whereas their 14.3 passes per minute of possession is the fifth-highest. They’ve the best complete of progressive passes in the entire competitors, too, with 522 and the fourth-highest variety of touches within the field, however their xG is a meager 5.95 – the ninth lowest.
Buriram, who’ve just lately signed centre again Ko Myeong-seok from Daegu FC, have two wins to their title within the present competitors. One came to visit Ulsan’s East Coast Derby rivals Pohang, and Central Coast Mariners. It has been three ACL matches and not using a win since, although, and the Thai giants have a less-than-ideal file in opposition to Ok League sides within the Champions League – 5 wins, 4 attracts, and 9 losses. Nonetheless, Buriram are going nice weapons within the league and even put eight previous Chiangrai United after which 9 previous Khonkaen United in mid-January.
Within the quick build-up to Wednesday’s conflict, which would be the first-ever between Buriram United and Ulsan HD, Buriram went on a run of 4 wins in 5 league matches however misplaced to Port final day out.
AFC Champions League TwoRound of 16, Leg 1
Thursday thirteenth February
Port FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – 21:00
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ reward for ending prime of Group H is a tie with the runners-up of Group F, Port FC of Thailand. Bangkok-based Port received three of their six group stage video games and solely completed second on account of an inferior aim distinction to Lion Metropolis Sailors. Jeonbuk received 4 matches and misplaced two, scoring 16 objectives within the course of for a +12 aim distinction. However the Inexperienced Warriors will likely be heading into Thursday’s conflict with one eye on the opening day of the Ok League 1 season three days later, and having not performed because the playoff second leg in opposition to Seoul E-Land. Port’s Thai League 1 season is round midway by and would be the a lot more energizing staff. In actual fact, Port beat league leaders Buriram United 1-0 of their last-but-one league outing and adopted that up with a 4-0 win over Chonburi within the cup.
Port have a few acquainted faces, with former Ansan Greeners and Jeonnam Dragons wingback Asnawi Mangkualam of their ranks, in addition to former Daejeon and Busan striker Peniel Mlapa. It is also a staff with Thai worldwide stars similar to Suphanan Bureerat, Chalermsak Aukkee, Teerasak Poeiphimai, and Worachit Kanitsribampen who had been all concerned within the Battle Elephants’ run to the ASEAN Championship ultimate, in addition to Singaporean star Irfan Fandi.
There will be query marks over which Jeonbuk squad is shipped to the Thai capital with the brand new Ok League season so shut. Jeonbuk despatched a younger squad to tackle Muangthong United as qualification had already been secured however had been turned over 1-0. The journey to Bangkok will likely be Gus Poyet’s first match answerable for Jeonbuk, and spoke at concerning the choice dilemma he has. A win, although, would do the Inexperienced Warriors the world of excellent heading into the house conflict with Gimcheon on February sixteenth.