By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
An offensive juggernaut clashes with one of the league's stingiest defensives in the K-League playoffs Sunday.
The trigger-happy Pohang Steelers will challenge the Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I (Tigers) at their home in Munsu Stadium with a berth to the third and final round of the playoffs at stake.
Ulsan, which finished at a surprising third place this season, overcame the loss of franchise star Lee Chun-soo, a diminutive striker now playing for Feyenoord Rotterdam, thanks to a newfound defensive solidarity.
The Tigers gave up 22 goals in the 26-game regular season, or 0.85 goals per game, which was the third fewest in the league this season. The three-back line of Park Dong-hyeok, Park Byeong-kyu and Ryu Kyeong-ryul provides a solid base and the enlarged midfield of five, anchored by central midfielders Oh Jang-eun and Kim Young-sam, has a habit of grabbing a lion's share in possession.
However, Ulsan throws less weight on the offensive end, with the speedy Lee Sang-ho and the tall and robotic Woo Sung-young forming an odd couple in front of the net.
Ulsan's airtight defense will be challenged by Pohang's Brazilian duo of Jonhes Elias Pinto Dos Santos and Cleber Schwenck Tiene, who combine to form one of the league's most formidable frontline partnerships.
Ulsan is also advised not to allow Pohang's Andre Luiz Tavares, another Brazilian with impressive distribution and trickery, to have his way with the ball, as he led the league with 11 assists this season.
The winner of the match between the Ulsan and Pohang will meet the Suwon Samsung BlueWings next Wednesday for a berth to the championship game. The Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, which finished in first place in the regular season, has secured a spot in the final.