The title race in the top Korean football league heated up over the weekend, with the two-time champions Ulsan HD FC facing pressure from an unlikely source.
Ulsan settled for a 2-2 draw against FC Seoul in K League 1 action at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, some 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Sunday. Ulsan now have 32 points through 17 matches from nine wins, five draws and three losses.
Ulsan failed to preserve their 2-0 advantage after forward Joo Min-kyu scored in the opening minute and FC Seoul defender Lee Tae-seok had an own goal in the 42nd minute.
Stanislav Iljutcenko led the visiting team’s second-half comeback with a brace, ensuring the clubs would each grab a point.
Despite the disappointing draw, Ulsan, trying to become only the third K League club to pull off a three-peat, reclaimed their position atop the tables. They also ended a one-day reign at the top by Gangwon FC, who had defeated Suwon FC 3-1 on Saturday to reach 31 points.
Gangwon have nine wins, four draws and four 스포츠 losses. They have now won five matches in a row for the first time in seven years. Though they only spent one day in first place, Gangwon have never been at the top this deep into a season.
Pohang Steelers and Gimcheon Sangmu FC remained within striking distance of Ulsan with 30 points apiece, as Pohang took a 1-1 draw against last-place Daejeon Hana Citizen FC and Gimcheon fell to Gwangju FC 2-0 on Saturday.
Pohang have managed just one win in their past six contests, while Gimcheon have two victories in that span.
Suwon FC, despite winning four out of their last six, are in danger of joining the mushy middle ground, alongside Gwangju FC, Incheon United and Jeju United.
