AFC Champions League League Phase East - 3
Ulsan Hyundai FC 1 - 0 FT Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
12' Kim Min-Hyeok (Lee Jin-Hyun)
HT
↓ N. Maeda ↑M. Kato 46'
↓ N. Arai ↑V. Germain 62'
66' Jae-ik Lee
74' ↓ Cho Hyun-Taek ↑Park Min-Seo
74' ↓ H. Lee ↑Lee Chung-Yong
↓ K. Kinoshita ↑D. Suga 74'
75' ↓ M. Lacava ↑Um Won-Sang
Tsukasa Shiotani 82'
↓ S. Nakano ↑S. Koshimichi 83'
↓ H. Kawabe ↑S. Kobayashi 83'
86' ↓ M. Trojak ↑Jung Seung-Hyun
86' ↓ Choi Seok-Hyun ↑Marcao
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Ulsan Hyundai FC
Goalkeepers
Moon Jung-In 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Choi Seok-Hyun 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Seo Myung-Guan 
SHIELD
3
Blocks
3
Blocks
2
Interceptions
1
Tackles
M. Trojak
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Lee Jae-Ik
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cho Hyun-Taek 
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
Midfielders
M. Lacava
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
75
Entry
Kim Min-Hyeok 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Lee Jin-Hyun 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.9
Rating
H. Lee
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Forwards
Heo Yool
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Ryu Seong-Min 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jung Seung-Hyun
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kim Young-Gwon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kang Sang-Woo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Park Min-Seo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jung Woo-Young
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Bojanic
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ko Seung-Beom
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lee Chung-Yong
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Um Won-Sang
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marcao
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
10
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Erick Farias
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Goalkeepers
K. Osako
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
S. Sasaki 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
78%
Duel Win %
H. Araki 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Kim Ju-Sung
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
64%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
S. Nakano
DRIBBLER
3
Dribbles
3
Dribbles
3
Attempts
100%
Success %
H. Kawabe
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
T. Shiotani 
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
72
Passes
15
Duels
N. Arai 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
23%
Pass Acc
Forwards
N. Maeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
S. Nakamura
MAGNET
50
Activity
50
Activity
43
Passes
7
Duels
K. Kinoshita
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
BENCH
Y. Tanaka
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Jeong Min-Ki
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
T. Yamasaki
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Y. Chajima
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
T. Arslan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Koshimichi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
D. Suga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
16
Total Mins
Started
Entry
A. Inoue
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Kobayashi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Sota
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
M. Kato
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
V. Germain
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
League Standings
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +3
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: +1
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -2
P: 3 GD: -3
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: +1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -8
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Ulsan's Defensive Wall Denies Sanfrecce Siege
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 15/100. A masterclass in rearguard survival saw Ulsan Hyundai FC snatch a vital victory despite being pinned back for the vast majority of a pulsating continental encounter.
The Siege of Ulsan
The tactical narrative at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium was established within minutes as Sanfrecce Hiroshima set up a permanent camp in the opposition half. The visitors controlled possession with 58%, moving the ball with a fluid precision that generated an Intensity rating of 2.4. A relentless barrage of 21 shots turned the home side's penalty area into a shooting gallery, yet the opening phase was defined by desperate blocks and missed opportunities. The Japanese side earned 9 corners during their sustained period of pressure, frequently finding space inside the box but lacking the clinical edge required to break the deadlock. Ulsan Hyundai FC looked content to absorb the pressure, relying on a rigid defensive shape that forced most of the attempts into crowded areas or wide of the mark.
Efficiency Over Volume
While the volume of attacks favoured the visitors, the Balance score of 1.5 reflects a match where territorial dominance did not translate into scoreboard reality. The pivot point arrived when Ulsan Hyundai FC, who managed just 3 shots throughout the entire match, capitalised on a rare foray forward. Despite the statistical imbalance, the hosts created two big chances, demonstrating a lethal efficiency that stood in stark contrast to the wastefulness of Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The breakthrough shifted the psychological weight of the match; suddenly, the visitors' 15 key passes felt like empty calories as they chased an equaliser against a side that had successfully mastered the art of the 'smash and grab'. The frustration for the away side grew as they dominated the final third with 180 passes into that zone but found no way through.
Defensive Masterclass
The final act was a testament to Ulsan's grit, as they recorded a staggering 64 clearances to keep their slim lead intact. With the Stakes level of 1.0 highlighting the importance of every point in this competition, the home side transformed into an impenetrable fortress. Sanfrecce Hiroshima threw everything at the hosts, finishing with 15 shots from inside the box, but the Ulsan defenders threw themselves in front of every ball with an Upset Factor of 0.0 acknowledging that while the shot count was skewed, the defensive resolve was intentional. This result provides a massive morale boost for Ulsan Hyundai FC, who climbed the table despite their poor recent form, while Sanfrecce will be left to wonder how a match they so clearly dominated ended in a demoralising defeat on the road.
Key Questions
How did Ulsan win with only three total shots?
Ulsan displayed clinical efficiency, scoring from one of their very few chances while making 64 clearances to negate Sanfrecce's 21 attempts.
Was Sanfrecce's dominance reflected in the statistics?
Yes, they controlled possession (58%) and recorded 21 shots and 9 corners, but failed to convert their superior volume into goals.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Continental Survival at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 45/100. Ulsan Hyundai FC must find a spark to reignite their campaign or risk falling dangerously adrift of the top-24 playoff line.
The Setup
The stakes are crystal clear for Ulsan Hyundai FC as they prepare for this October 21 encounter. Their current Form rating of 5.0 reflects a side searching for identity, having managed only one win in their last five outings. Occupying 9th place in the East region, they are hovering near the qualification threshold and cannot afford another slip-up on home soil. In contrast, Sanfrecce Hiroshima enters the fray in a much more comfortable position, sitting 3rd with 14 points. The Japanese side arrives with a Balance score that underscores their tactical discipline, conceding just 0.7 goals per game this season.
Key Battle
The central conflict will feature Ulsan’s creative engine, led by Lee Dong-Gyeong and Erick Farias, attempting to puncture one of the region's most organized back lines. Sanfrecce's defensive structure, anchored by H. Araki and protected by the safe hands of K. Osako, has been remarkably difficult to breach. The midfield Stakes are amplified as H. Kawabe looks to dictate the tempo for Hiroshima, forcing Ulsan's Jung Seung-Hyun into a high-pressure defensive performance to prevent the visitors from dominating possession.
Our Prediction
This match is likely to unfold as a cagey, tactical chess match where the first goal determines everything. Ulsan’s desperate need for points may force them to overextend, playing directly into Sanfrecce’s counter-attacking strength. While the Stars rating for this fixture is modest, the tactical execution will be high-level. Expect Sanfrecce to absorb the early pressure and find a clinical winner in the second half. A 0-1 victory for the visitors seems the most plausible outcome in this winner-takes-all continental atmosphere.