Latest news with #KimPan-gon
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Ulsan's coach eyes Mamelodi Sundowns scalp
'As a team representing Korea and Asia, we're under pressure to perform well against clubs from other continents,' he said. Kim Pan-gon, head coach of Ulsan HD is interviewed during the FIFA Club World Cup access day on March 13, 2025 in Ulsan, South Korea. (Photo by FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) Ulsan HD head coach Kim Pangon has set his sights on guiding the South Korean team into the knockout stage of this month's upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in the United States of America. Kim underlined the importance of their opening match against Betway Premiership Mamelodi Sundowns who are one of four CAF representatives at the global spectacle. ALSO READ: OPINION: Flemming Berg owes Sundowns fans answers The Brazilians and Ulsan will clash on June 17 at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando. Kim has labelled the clash against Sundowns a must-win encounter that could define their path forward. Sundowns and Ulsan are drawn in Group F alongside German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund and Brazil's Fluminense. 'As a team representing Korea and Asia, we're under pressure to perform well against clubs from other continents,' he said in an interview with 'I believe advancing to the Round of 16 is crucial, and our first match against Mamelodi Sundowns will be key. After that, it will be important to narrow the gap and pick up points against Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund.' Ulsan earned their place in the expanded Club World Cup through the ranking pathway for their consistent performance in the AFC Champions League Elite between 2021 and 2023. 'I believe that this format, with 32 teams competing, will attract significant global attention. It's a great opportunity to compete against world-class teams,' Kim added. 'I'm sure that both the Koreans living in the United States and fans back home will be looking forward to seeing how Ulsan HD can do. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to acquit ourselves well. 'As Ulsan participates in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, many Korean-Americans will have high expectations. We hope many people will come to the stadium to support us, and we will do our best to perform competitively and achieve good results so our fans can be proud. 'In international tournaments like the World Cup, Asian teams have often faced many challenges. We may encounter such difficulties this time as well. However, if we can capitalise on the speed and technique of Asian football, we'll be able to be competitive.' ALSO READ: Why Ahly's Riveiro does not want to sign Pirates players K League 1 champions Usan have only lifted the AFC Champions League trophy just twice in their history, first in 2012 and most recently in 2020. Africa will also be represented by Egypt's Al-Ahly, Espérance of Tunisia and Morocco's Wydad Casablanca.
Korea Herald
01-04-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Ulsan ready to chase knockout spot at expanded FIFA Club World Cup
As the lone South Korean club at this year's FIFA Club World Cup, Ulsan HD FC will try to make a push for a knockout berth, their head coach said Thursday. Kim Pan-gon and his captain Kim Young-gwon attended the South Korean stop of the Club World Cup Trophy Tour in Seongnam, just south of Seoul. The 2025 Club World Cup, the first edition with an expanded format featuring 32 teams, will be played across the United States from June 14 to July 13. FIFA launched the trophy tour in January in New York City, and the tour will have stops in 29 cities in 20 nations over 140 days. Ulsan, three-time defending K League 1 champions, will be one of four clubs from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the lone South Korean side. They secured their spot by finishing second in the AFC club ranking points. In the group stage, they will face Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa on June 17 in Orlando, Florida; Fluminense FC of Brazil on June 21 in East Rutherford, New Jersey; and Borussia Dortmund of Germany on June 25 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The top two teams from eight groups will qualify for the round of 16. Kim Pan-gon said it will take at least four points -- a win and a draw -- to contend for a knockout ticket. "We'll try to get to the round of 16. If all goes well, we could even finish with a win and two draws," the coach said at Naver 1784, the headquarters for the South Korean internet portal giant Naver. "Realistically, we'll have to narrow the gap with Dortmund and Fluminense. I think they're going to be really tough. And I am also looking forward to playing Sundowns." Since the Club World Cup is taking place in the middle of the K League 1 season, but after the end of European seasons, Kim said the schedule could work in Ulsan's favor. "I think our players will be sharper, and conditioning won't be an issue for us," Kim added. "We will try to capitalize on that advantage as much as possible." The coach also said it was important for his team to "make our fans feel proud when they watch us play." "I am trying to think of the ways that help us dominate and control matches against great opponents," Kim added. Kim Young-gwon, Ulsan's captain and center back, will be competing in his third Club World Cup, having appeared at the 2013 and 2015 tournaments as a member of Guangzhou Evergrande. "I am excited to play in the new format. And I think we can be competitive in this tournament," he said. "I want to show the world how strong a K League championship team can be. This will be a great opportunity for the entire team to grow." As for the trophy itself, Kim said, "This is a good-looking trophy. It'd be great to attend the championship press conference. I'll try to get as close to the trophy as possible." The trophy will travel to Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for a public viewing on Sunday, before Ulsan HD FC host Jeju SK FC. (Yonhap)
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Sport
- Korea Herald
Ulsan HD coach feels 'significant responsibility' as lone S. Korean team at FIFA Club World Cup
Representing South Korea at the expanded FIFA Club World Cup this summer will bring both a sense of pride and responsibility to Ulsan HD FC, head coach Kim Pan-gon said. In a recent interview with FIFA, Kim spoke of doing the country proud at the tournament featuring 32 of the world's best football clubs. The United States will host the tournament from June 14 to July 13. "I feel proud, but I also acknowledge the significant responsibility in representing South Korea and the Asian continent," Kim said in a video clip released to Yonhap News Agency late Friday. "We need to compete strongly against teams from other continents. I also feel we are duty bound to come with a competitive edge to the competition." Ulsan HD, three-time defending champions in the K League 1, will play in Group F. They will face Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa on June 17 in Orlando, Florida; Fluminense FC of Brazil on June 21 in East Rutherford, New Jersey; and Borussia Dortmund of Germany on June 25 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ulsan HD are one of four clubs from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the lone South Korean side. They secured their spot by finishing second in the AFC club ranking points. "For us, I think that competing against teams at a world-class level is going to be a good opportunity," Kim said. "Fellow ethnic Koreans living in the United States and the football fans in South Korea will expect a strong performance from Ulsan HD. So I hope we will showcase our abilities in the matches." The top two teams from each of the eight groups will qualify for the round of 16, and Kim said the first match against Mamelodi Sundowns will be "a crucial first step." "Asian teams are strong at persevering through substantial challenges in the traditional (FIFA) World Cup. I think the teams may face similar difficulties in this tournament as well," the coach added. "However, if we focus well enough on our strengths, in areas like pace and technique, I think we may do well in our matches." Club World Cup contestants will be in for a big payday. A group stage draw will be worth US$1 million, and a group stage win will give teams $2 million. Reaching the round of 16 will net teams $7.5 million each, and a trip to the quarterfinals is worth another $13.125 million. The two finalists will receive $30 million each, and the champion will bag an additional $40 million. FIFA has also set up a "participation pillar" worth $525 million, which will be distributed in different amounts to each continent, determined by a ranking based on sporting and commercial criteria. Asian clubs will receive $9.55 million each for participation. Ulsan HD received 500 million won ($339,900) for winning their K League 1 title last season.
