With only four points separating them, Pohang Steelers and Ulsan HD will play the ‘East Coast Derby’ with both the title race and a rivalry victory at stake.

Depending on the outcome of the two teams, the race for the K League 1 title, which also includes Gimcheon Sangsang, will become more intense.

Pohang and Ulsan will meet in the ‘East Coast Derby’ of the 20th round of the Hana Bank K League 1 2024 at the Pohang Steel Yard at 6 p.m. on the 30th.

The East Coast Derby, which will be the 180th meeting between the two teams, could prove to be a watershed moment in the race for the top spot. The home team Pohang is currently in third place (9 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses, 34 points), 토토사이트 순위 while Ulsan is in first place (11 wins, 5 draws, 3 losses, 38 points).

With three teams currently in a tight race for second place (10 wins, 6 draws, 3 losses – 36 points), including Gimcheon Commerce, the lead could change depending on the outcome of the derby match.

Pohang, who started the season on a good note and cruised against expectations, have slipped to third place as Ulsan and Gimcheon have rallied.

Pohang are looking to regain their footing after a shaky start to the season with two wins, three draws and one loss in their last six matches. Most recently, they drew 1-1 against Jeonbuk Hyundai in the 19th round and won 3-1 against Incheon United in the 19th round to regain momentum.

However, in their most recent home match against Hana Citizen in Round 18, they were unable to break through the opponent’s tight defense and drew 1-1 due to an own goal.

Lee Ho-jae is regaining his confidence with a multi-goal performance, and Allowance has also been racking up offensive points with back-to-back goals in rounds 17 and 18.

On the other side of the table, Ulsan have been in terrifying form, racking up points and gaining ground on Gimcheon at the top of the table. Ulsan is cruising along on a six-match unbeaten streak (4 wins, 2 draws). In league terms, they haven’t lost since a 0-1 defeat to Gangwon in Round 13 in May.

While Lee In-gyu has been on fire with four goals and one assist in six games, the spine has remained solid with the emergence of Bojanic, Cho Hyun-woo, and 2006 semi-pro center back Kang Min-woo.

Although Seol Young-woo left for Serbian side Zvezda in the 19th round against Daegu, the team has remained solid with Yoon Il-rok, a fullback-turned-fullback, filling the void.

The two sides met in the first East Coast derby of the season at Munsus Stadium in Ulsan on March 1, with Ataru’s winner in the opening game of the season. Pohang were outnumbered when center back Aspro was sent off, and Ulsan took advantage of their numerical advantage to secure the win.

Pohang hasn’t beaten Ulsan at home since a 2-0 win in Round 19 of the 2022 season. Pohang has the advantage in the all-time home East Coast derby with 35 wins, 21 draws, and 30 losses, but if you narrow it down to the last five matches, Ulsan has the edge with one win, two draws, and two losses.

<Hana Bank K League 1 2024 Round 20 Match Schedule

Gimcheon-Daegu (June 29, 6 p.m., Gimcheon Stadium-IB SPORTS)

Jeonbuk-Seoul (June 29, 7 p.m.-Jeonju World Cup Stadium-Skysport)

Daejeon-Suwon FC (June 29, 8 p.m.-Daejeon World Cup Stadium-JTBC G&S)

Pohang-Ulsan (June 30, 6 p.m. – Pohang Steel Yard – JTBC G&S)

Gwangju-Jeju (June 30, 7 p.m.-Gwangju Football Stadium-Skysport)

Incheon-Gangwon (June 30, 7 p.m.-Incheon Football Stadium-MAXPORTS)