Ulsan HD FC (Korean: 울산 HD FC), formerly Ulsan Hyundai FC,[1][2] is a South Korean professional football club based in Ulsan that competes in the K League 1, the top tier of South Korean football. Founded in 1983 as Hyundai Horang-i, they joined the K League in 1984. Their home ground is Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium. The club is owned by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

Ulsan HD FC
Full nameUlsan HD Football Club
울산 HD 축구단
Nickname(s)호랑이 (Tigers)
Founded1983; 41 years ago (1983) (as Hyundai Horang-i)
GroundUlsan Munsu Football Stadium
Capacity37,897
OwnerKwon Oh-gap
Head coachKim Pan-gon
LeagueK League 1
2024K League 1, 1st of 12 (champions)
Websiteuhfc.tv
Current season

Ulsan HD have won the league title five times, most recently in 2024, and the Korean FA Cup once, in 2017. At international level, they have won the AFC Champions League twice, in 2012 and 2020.

History

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Early years: before Ulsan (1983–1989)

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The club was founded on 6 December 1983 as Hyundai Horang-i, with tiger as its mascot (horangi means tiger in Korean). Their original franchise area was Incheon and Gyeonggi Province.[3] They joined the professional K League from 1984 season. While they finished their debut season as 3rd place, the team's striker Baek Jong-chul became the K League Top Scorer, scoring 16 goals in 28 matches. They won their first professional trophy in 1986, winning the Professional Football Championship, which is the origin of Korean League Cup. From the 1987 season, the club moved their franchise from Incheon and Gyeonggi Province to Gangwon Province. In the 1988 season, they finished the season as the runners-up in the league.

Move to Ulsan and rise to power (1990–1999)

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Beginning in the 1990 season, the club moved their franchise to Ulsan, where the headquarters of several branches of owner company Hyundai are located at, from Gangwon Province. Former South Korea's striker Cha Bum-kun took the managerial position in the 1991 season, leading the club to the runners-up position in the league in his debut season. However, he failed to win any trophy and was replaced by Ko Jae-wook after the 1994 season. Under Ko Jae-wook, Ulsan won their second Korean League Cup trophy in 1995, which was his debut season as Ulsan manager. Ulsan won their first ever league title in 1996, beating Suwon Samsung Bluewings 3–2 on aggregate in the championship playoffs. The club then entered a long dry-spell in terms of league trophies, although they won their third Korean League Cup trophy in 1998, beating Bucheon SK 2–1 on aggregate in the finals.

Two Kims era (2000–2013)

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2012 AFC Champions League final at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium

Failure to add a major title for years did affect the team negatively. After the exodus of key players like Kim Hyun-seok and a terrible start in the 2000, manager Ko Jae-wook resigned in the middle of the season.

Kim Jung-nam era: Gangsters of Asia (2000–2008)

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Ulsan appointed Kim Jung-nam, who had formerly managed South Korea, as their next manager. They finished as runners-up in 2002 and 2003, and started to emerge as a strong force. In 2005, with the return of two key players, Yoo Sang-chul and Lee Chun-soo, they qualified for the championship playoffs. In the play-off semi-final, they beat Seongnam Ilhwa 2–1, and in the final, they beat Incheon United 6–3 on aggregate, with a hat-trick from Lee Chun-Soo in the first leg. They became the league champions for the second time in their history.

The club also went on to win the A3 Champions Cup in 2006, in which they participated as K League champions. Although they lost their first match in the competition against JEF United Ichihara Chiba 3–2, they beat Dalian Shide 4–0 and Gamba Osaka 6–0 to clinch the trophy. Lee Chun-soo became the competition's top scorer, scoring six goals in three matches. They repeated the merciless attacks in the AFC Champions League that season, beating Al-Shabab 6–0 in the first leg of the quarter-finals. These overwhelming attacks they showed in the season gave Ulsan the nickname "Gangsters of Asia".[4]

Ulsan won the 2007 Korean League Cup, beating FC Seoul 2–1 in the final on 27 June 2007. In 2008, the team changed their official name from Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i to Ulsan Hyundai FC.[5]

Kim Ho-kon era: Iron Mace Football (2009–2013)

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Manager Kim Jung-nam stepped down after the 2008 season. Kim Ho-kon, who had managed the South Korea under-23 team that reached the quarter-finals in the 2004 Summer Olympics was appointed as Ulsan's next manager.

Kim Ho-kon did not enjoy Ulsan fans' full support for his first few seasons at the club, mainly because of his defensive tactical style and unsatisfying outcomes.[citation needed] The 2011 season was a dramatic changeover; Ulsan won their fifth Korean League Cup, beating Busan IPark 3–2 in the final. Ulsan also finished the season as runners-up in the K League that season. Their unique style of having many players pushing forward in counterattacks earned them the nickname "Iron mace football".[6]

In 2012, the club won the AFC Champions League, defeating Al-Ahli 3–0 in the final on 10 November. In the run up to the final, Ulsan went on an unbeaten run throughout the twelve games of the competition, winning nine consecutive games and scoring 27 goals in the process.[7]

Players

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Current squad

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As of 31 July 2024[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK   KOR Jo Su-huk
2 DF   KOR Sim Sang-min
4 DF   KOR Kim Kee-hee (captain)
5 DF   KOR Lim Jong-eun
6 MF   SWE Darijan Bojanić
7 MF   KOR Ko Seung-beom
8 MF   KOR Lee Kyu-seong
9 MF   GEO Giorgi Arabidze
10 MF   KOR Kim Min-woo
11 FW   KOR Um Won-sang
13 DF   KOR Lee Myung-jae
17 MF   SWE Gustav Ludwigson
18 FW   KOR Joo Min-kyu (vice-captain)
19 DF   KOR Kim Young-gwon
20 DF   KOR Hwang Seok-ho
21 GK   KOR Jo Hyeon-woo
22 MF   KOR Kim Min-hyeok
No. Pos. Nation Player
23 DF   KOR Kim Ju-hwan
26 FW   KOR Kim Min-jun
27 MF   KOR Lee Chung-yong
28 MF   KOR Jang Si-young
30 MF   KOR Kang Yun-gu
31 MF   JPN Ataru Esaka
32 MF   KOR Jung Woo-young
33 DF   KOR Kang Min-woo
37 GK   KOR Moon Hyun-ho
70 MF   KOR Choi Kang-min
73 FW   KOR Yun Il-lok
82 MF   KOR Won Du-jae
91 FW   KOR Park Chu-young
95 MF   BRA Matheus Sales
96 FW   KOR Kim Ji-hyeon
99 FW   BRA Yago Cariello

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
DF   KOR Cho Hyun-taek (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)
DF   KOR Choi Seok-hyeon (to Chungbuk Cheongju)
DF   KOR Hong Jae-seok (to Jeju United)
DF   KOR Lee Jae-won (to Cheonan City)
MF   KOR Hwang Jae-hwan (to Bucheon FC 1995)
No. Pos. Nation Player
MF   KOR Kim Dong-uk (to Jeonnam Dragons)
MF   KOR Lee Dong-gyeong (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)
MF   KOR Lee Jae-wook (to Suwon Samsung Bluewings)
MF   KOR Park Sang-jun (to Gyeongju KHNP)

Managers

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No. Name From To Honours
1   Moon Jung-sik 12 July 1983 22 April 1986
C   Cho Chung-yun 22 April 1986 December 1986 Professional Football Championship
2 December 1986 30 December 1987
3   Kim Ho 30 December 1987 19 November 1990
4   Cha Bum-kun 23 November 1990 27 November 1994
5   Ko Jae-wook 30 November 1994 12 June 2000 1995 Korean League Cup
1996 K League
1998 Korean League Cup
C   Chung Jong-soo 12 June 2000 21 August 2000
6   Kim Jung-nam 22 August 2000 25 December 2008 2005 K League
2007 Korean League Cup
7   Kim Ho-kon 26 December 2008 4 December 2013 2011 Korean League Cup
2012 AFC Champions League
8   Cho Min-kook 6 December 2013 1 December 2014
9   Yoon Jung-hwan 1 December 2014 14 November 2016
10   Kim Do-hoon 21 November 2016 20 December 2020 2017 Korean FA Cup
2020 AFC Champions League
11   Hong Myung-bo 24 December 2020 11 July 2024 2022 K League 1
2023 K League 1
C   Lee Kyung-soo 11 July 2024 28 July 2024
12   Kim Pan-gon 28 July 2024 present 2024 K League 1

Honours

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Ulsan Hyundai players lifting their second AFC Champions League trophy in 2020

Domestic

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League

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Cups

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  1. ^ a b Reserve team

International

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Season-by-season records

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Domestic record

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Season Division Tms. Pos. FA Cup
1984 1 8 3
1985 1 8 4
1986 1 6 6
1987 1 5 4
1988 1 5 2
1989 1 6 6
1990 1 6 5
1991 1 6 2
1992 1 6 3
1993 1 6 3
1994 1 7 4
1995 1 8 2
1996 1 9 1 Semi-final
1997 1 10 3 Quarter-final
1998 1 10 2 Runners-up
1999 1 10 6 Semi-final
2000 1 10 10 Quarter-final
2001 1 10 6 Semi-final
2002 1 10 2 Quarter-final
2003 1 12 2 Semi-final
2004 1 13 4 Semi-final
2005 1 13 1 Round of 16
2006 1 14 5 Round of 32
2007 1 14 4 Quarter-final
2008 1 14 3 Quarter-final
2009 1 15 8 Round of 32
2010 1 15 5 Round of 16
2011 1 16 2 Semi-final
2012 1 16 5 Semi-final
2013 1 14 2 Round of 16
2014 1 12 6 Round of 16
2015 1 12 7 Semi-final
2016 1 12 4 Semi-final
2017 1 12 4 Winners
2018 1 12 3 Runners-up
2019 1 12 2 Round of 32
2020 1 12 2 Runners-up
2021 1 12 2 Semi-final
2022 1 12 1 Semi-final
2023 1 12 1 Quarter-final
2024 1 12 1 Runners-up
Key
  • Tms. = Number of teams
  • Pos. = Position in league

AFC Champions League record

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All results list Ulsan's goal tally first.

Season Round Opposition Home Away Agg.
2006 Group F   Tokyo Verdy 1–0 2–0 1st
Quarter-final   Al-Shabab 6–0 1–0 7–0
Semi-final   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–4 3–2 4–6
2009 Group E   Nagoya Grampus 1–3 1–4 3rd
  Newcastle Jets 0–1 0–2
  Beijing Guoan 1–0 1–0
2012 Group F   Beijing Guoan 2–1 3–2 1st
  FC Tokyo 1–0 2–2
  Brisbane Roar 1–1 2–1
Round of 16   Kashiwa Reysol 3–2
Quarter-final   Al-Hilal 1–0 4–0 5–0
Semi-final   Bunyodkor 2–0 3–1 5–1
Final   Al-Ahli 3–0
2014 Group H   Western Sydney Wanderers 0–2 3–1 3rd
  Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 1–3
  Guizhou Renhe 1–1 1–3
2017 Play-off   Kitchee 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–3 p)
Group E   Kashima Antlers 0–4 0–2 3rd
  Brisbane Roar 6–0 3–2
  Muangthong United 0–0 0–1
2018 Group F   Melbourne Victory 6–2 3–3 2nd
  Kawasaki Frontale 2–1 2–2
  Shanghai SIPG 0–1 2–2
Round of 16   Suwon Samsung Bluewings 1–0 0–3 1–3
2019 Play-off   Perak 5–1
Group H   Sydney FC 1–0 0–0 1st
  Shanghai SIPG 1–0 0–5
  Kawasaki Frontale 1–0 2–2
Round of 16   Urawa Red Diamonds 0–3 2–1 2–4
2020 Group F[a]   FC Tokyo 1–1 2–1 1st
  Shanghai Shenhua 3–1 4–1
  Perth Glory 2–0 2–1
Round of 16   Melbourne Victory 3–0
Quarter-final   Beijing Guoan 2–0
Semi-final   Vissel Kobe 2–1 (a.e.t.)
Final   Persepolis 2–1
2021 Group F[a]   Viettel 3–0 1–0 1st
  BG Pathum United 2–0 2–0
  Kaya–Iloilo 2–1 3–0
Round of 16   Kawasaki Frontale 0–0 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)
Quarter-final   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3–2 (a.e.t.)
Semi-final   Pohang Steelers 1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)
2022 Play-off   Port 3–0
Group I[a]   Kawasaki Frontale 3–2 1–1 3rd
  Johor Darul Ta'zim 1–2 1–2
  Guangzhou 3–0 5–0
2023–24 Group I   BG Pathum United 3–1 3–1 2nd
  Kawasaki Frontale 2–2 0–1
  Johor Darul Ta'zim 3–1 1–2
Round of 16   Ventforet Kofu 3–0 2–1 5–1
Quarter-final   Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1–0 1–1 2–1
Semi-final   Yokohama F. Marinos 1–0 2–3 (a.e.t.) 3–3
(4–5 p)
  1. ^ a b c Matches were played at neutral venues due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with "home" and "away" used for administrative purposes.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Ulsan Hyundai rebrand as Ulsan HD with new all-blue logo". Korea JoongAng Daily. 14 December 2023. Archived from the original on 14 December 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  2. ^ Jee-ho, Yoo (14 December 2023). "K League 1 champions Ulsan Hyundai FC renamed Ulsan HD FC for new season". Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on 25 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  3. ^ "울산현대축구단". 울산현대축구단. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  4. ^ 울산, 6년 전 '아시아 깡패' 부활위한 3가지 조건 (in Korean). Sports Chosun. 20 September 2012. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  5. ^ "History: Ulsan Hyundai Football Club". Ulsan Hyundai FC. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  6. ^ 김호곤, 편견과 싸워 이긴 울산 사령탑 5년 (in Korean). Best Eleven. 5 December 2013. Archived from the original on 9 September 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2015.
  7. ^ Duerden, John (10 November 2012). "Ulsan's ultimate victory". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013.
  8. ^ "선수단". uhfc.tv (in Korean). Ulsan HD FC. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
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