The Asian Champions League (ALC), which will determine the best clubs in Asia, has come to an end. The ACL has been reorganized into ACLE, the first division, and ACL2 from 2024-2025 season. Ulsan HD, Pohang Steelers, and Gwangju FC are participating in ACLE, while Jeonbuk Hyundai is participating in ACL2.
The ACL has emerged as a variable of the K-League 1, which is racing toward a split point. Ulsan and Gwangju made the first step at their home turf, while Pohang and Jeonbuk made away trips to China and the Philippines, respectively. K-League 1 and ACL had no “comma” even during the Chuseok holiday. K-League 1 will be divided into Final A ranking first to sixth and Final B ranking 7th to 12th after the 33rd round on Oct. 6. Only three rounds are left.
The teams that are on the border between Final A and B range from Suwon FC (48 points) to Gwangju FC (40 points), ranking seventh. They include FC Seoul (46 points) and Pohang FC (44 points) ranking fifth and sixth. Jeju United, ranking eighth with 35 points, has only hope based on arithmetic. The gap between the two teams is so wide that chances are slim.
Every round is a countdown. The moment Gwangju loses, the split war can effectively come to an end. The 31st round of “Hana Bank K League 1 2024” will take place on May 21 and 22. Gwangju will face Jeju Island at the Gwangju Football Stadium at 4:30 p.m. on May 22. Gwangju, which escaped from a three-game losing streak by winning against Pohang by 2-1 in the last round, has made a living. The gap with Pohang has narrowed to four points. At the ACLE, which participated for the first time since its foundation, the team surprised the Asian soccer community by defeating Yokohama Marinos, the runner-up team of Japan, in last season’s ACL, 7-3. Despite the physical stamina variables, it was rather a blessing in disguise. Jeju has been sluggish in the recent five games, with one win and four losses. Gwangju has secured two wins and four losses in two matches this season. Attention is focusing on whether Lee Jung-hyo’s magic will shine again on the brink of a cliff.
Pohang, which allowed Gwangju to overtake its rival, is in the midst of the worst crisis. At one point, it aimed to win the title while leading the league. However, the situation has become a forgotten past. Pohang is mired in a six-game losing streak in the K-League 1. It also had a crushing defeat against Shanghai Shenhua with a score of 1:4. The bigger worry is that there is hardly any way out. Nevertheless, the team has to overcome the challenge.
At the same time, Pohang will clash with Gangwon FC, a “tidal zone” at Pohang Steel Yard. Gangwon, which has been the “eye of the typhoon” this season, has lost the top spot to Ulsan by recording one draw and two losses in its recent three games. It lost to Ulsan 0-2 in a big match between the top and second place teams in the last round. However, Gangwon, which ranks second with 51 points, still has strength. As it took the stage in just nine days, it finished recharging as it performed. Pohang needs to secure a clean sweep of its two matches against Gangwon this season.
Suwon FC, which lost both Lee Seung-woo and Kwon Kyung-won, is also on shaky ground. It was a shock to lose 0-6 to Jeonbuk in the last round. Going to Final A seems to have no big issues, but we cannot afford to rest assured. Suwon FC will have a showdown with Gimcheon Sangmu at Suwon Stadium at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Gimcheon (50 points), ranking third, has secured its first ever Final A in the last round, making light steps forward.
There is no need to explain the all-time relegation battle. The battle is already hot. Starting with Jeju Island, Daejeon Hana Citizen (34 points), Jeonbuk and Daegu (33 points), and Incheon United (31 points) are stuck in the fog. The fierce battle continues even when they reach the Final B. Currently, there is no other way but to accumulate points. Incheon, the lowest ranking team, will face Ulsan (54 points) at its home turf at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. It is an uphill battle, but it must endure. Ulsan lost to Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) 0-1 in the first ACLE match. It needs a change of mood. 스포츠토토
At the same time, Daejeon and Jeonbuk will have a showdown at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium. Both teams are on the upswing. Daejeon has six matches (4 wins and 2 draws) and Jeonbuk has four matches (3 wins and 1 draw) without a loss. It is a battle of “six points” as they are biting. Daegu will meet Seoul at DGB Daegu Bank Park at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Seoul has lost six matches (five wins and one draw) in a row but is still dreaming of winning. Daegu is trying to win consecutive games. The pitiful ground is a minefield everywhere. If you stumble, you will fall.