Legendary head coach's debut game as a coach of his old team... "Kim Hyun Suk-ho" Ulsan and Melbourne face ACLE

*This content was translated by AI.

The head coach from the club legend will make his debut in his old team. Head coach Kim Hyun-seok (59) will start his full-fledged journey at Ulsan HD.

Ulsan will face Melbourne City (Australia) in Game 7 of the 2025-2026 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite (ACLE) League Stage at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium at 7 p.m. on the 11th.

Currently, Ulsan ranks eighth with two wins, two draws and two losses (8 points) in six ACLE games. As the result of this match can confirm the advance to the round of 16 early, it is urgent to win the match against Melbourne.

It is the official debut of head coach Kim Hyun-seok, who led Ulsan's heyday under the nickname "Gamulchi" when he was active. According to the club, the Ulsan team, which completed winter training, convened on the 31st of last month and completed customized tactical training targeting Melbourne with head coach Kwak Tae-hwi and tactical coach Watanabe. As it is head coach Kim Hyun-seok's first stage of command, it is an opportunity to check the team's new tactical color.

The range of power operations has expanded. Resources returned from the lease, including Yago, Lee Kyu-sung, Shim Sang-min and Jang Si-young, joined to add weight to the squad. Another point to watch is whether new faces, such as Pedringyo and Cho Min-seo, who are waiting to debut in Ulsan uniforms, will participate.

The key is the firepower of the front line. Ulsan has only five points in six games at the ACLE League stage, and it has the task of supplementing its decision-making power. Only when the offense's scoring guns such as Malkong, Yago, and Heo Yul survive can they take the lead in the game.

In previous records, Ulsan has an overwhelming advantage. Ulsan has been undefeated (7 wins and 2 draws) in the last nine consecutive games against the Australian club. Since the match against Western Sydney in April 2014, he has been showing off his side as an "Australian killer" who has not lost to the Australian team for 4,320 days. It also won 3-0 against Melbourne Victory in 2020, the most recent face-off against an Australian team.

Head coach Kim Hyun-seok, who is about to make his debut, said, "We have completed team solidarity and skill checks through Al Ain winter training," adding, "We will definitely win the first game of the season by maximizing the strengths of the players." Captain Kim Young-kwon also said, "The team atmosphere has been renewed since the coach took office. I will feel responsible and present my fans with my first win," he said.

Starting with the match against Melbourne, Ulsan will enter a forced march leading to an away match in Shanghai Port China on the 18th and the opening match of the K League 1 home against Gangwon FC on the 28th.

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*This content was translated by AI.