Ulsan HD Tantang Daejeon Hana Citizen di Stadion Piala Dunia

Ulsan HD bertandang menghadapi Daejeon Hana Citizen dalam pertandingan pekan ke-18 K League 1 2026 di Stadion Piala Dunia Daejeon pada Sabtu, 18 Juli 2026 pukul 19.30 waktu setempat. Tuan rumah membidik kemenangan kandang perdana, sementara tim tamu menurunkan penyerang asal Brasil, Eric, sebagai ujung tombak sejak menit awal dalam formasi 3-4-3.

Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD, Kim Hyun-seok, mengambil keputusan untuk menurunkan penyerang tersebut setelah memantau perkembangan kondisi fisiknya secara langsung selama sesi latihan menjelang laga tandang ini. Tim kepelatihan juga melakukan pemantauan intensif serta berkonsultasi bersama pelatih fisik sebelum menetapkan susunan pemain utama karena sang pemain dinilai belum pulih sepenuhnya.

"I had several meetings with Eric," ujar Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD seperti dilansir dari mk.co.kr.

Meskipun kondisi fisiknya belum maksimal, Eric menunjukkan motivasi dan keinginan yang kuat untuk segera memberikan kontribusi nyata di lapangan setelah kembali berlatih sejak awal Juni.

"Eric has returned to team training since June 1st. Not yet 100 per cent. However, he prepared to return more sincerely than anyone else.

I ordered Eric to 'spill 100%'. I'm going to change it as soon as I lose my stamina," kata Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.

Kim Hyun-seok berharap kehadiran Eric di lini depan dapat membawa dampak positif bagi hasil akhir pertandingan tandang yang krusial ini.

"Eric showed a strong will to play in the game. I hope you take the lead in the team's victory in Daejeon away," tambah Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.

Di sisi lain, Kim Hyun-seok juga telah mengantisipasi kekuatan lini depan Daejeon Hana Citizen yang diperkuat oleh kembalinya beberapa pemain pilar setelah pulih dari cedera seperti Won Sang dan Seo Jin-soo.

"I think Daejeon is coming out as expected. Daejeon Diogo played well in the first game against us. I thought it would come out instead of Joo Min-gyu.

Won Sang and Seo Jin-soo also recovered from injury, so they expected to start. I knew my opponent's strengths and prepared well. I will do my best," tutur Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.

Sementara itu, Pelatih Daejeon Hana Citizen, Hwang Sun-hong, menekankan pentingnya bagi para pemain untuk tampil gigih dan memanfaatkan setiap peluang demi mengatasi tren negatif di laga kandang dengan mengusung formasi 4-4-2.

"There is not only a bad flow for 90 minutes," menambahkan Hwang Sun-hong, Pelatih Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Ia menyadari tantangan berat yang dihadapi anak asuhnya, namun ia tetap optimistis seluruh elemen tim akan bersatu demi mengamankan poin penuh.

"It's going to be harder for the players than for me. I'm creating opportunities for every game. It takes twice as much power to get beyond the jinx.

The best thing is not to make jinxes, but that can happen when you play soccer. You need to be determined and have the will to overcome it. Everyone will join forces and win today's game no matter what," kata Hwang Sun-hong, Pelatih Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Tuan rumah menaruh harapan besar pada penyerang Diogo yang dipercaya tampil sejak menit awal untuk menggantikan posisi Joo Min-gyu, serta kemungkinan memainkan Martha dari bangku cadangan.

"We showed good performance in the last match against Ulsan. Diogo is improving his condition by faithfully performing training. It's an all-out war.

Martha is not perfect, but she can digest it for about 20 minutes. I plan to put it in after seeing the situation. Joo Min-gyu is also working very sincerely from the training ground.

My senses are coming up. We will go all out to win the match against Ulsan," kata Hwang Sun-hong, Pelatih Daejeon Hana Citizen.

Berdasarkan data yang dilansir dari sportsgambler.com, Ulsan HD saat ini menempati peringkat kelima klasemen sementara K League 1 dengan mengoleksi 27 poin, sedangkan Daejeon Hana Citizen berada di peringkat ke-10 dengan raihan 18 poin.