In K League 1 and K League 2, the 2024 season proved an old adage in soccer: “The team that attacks best wins matches, and the team that defends best wins leagues.
Ulsan, which clinched its third consecutive title in the Hana Bank K League 1 2024, and Anyang, which won the K League 2 title and was promoted for the first time in its history, are currently tied for the fewest goals conceded in their respective leagues. Ulsan has conceded 37 goals in 36 matches, while Anyang has conceded just 34 goals in 35 matches. They crossed the finish line first thanks to a lower goals-against average and more clean sheets than 카지노사이트 last season.
Veteran defense at the center Coincidentally, both Ulsan and Anyang have built their defenses around veterans in their 30s. Ulsan entrusted Kim Young-kwon (34), Kim Ki-hee (35), Hwang Seok-ho (35), Lee Myung-jae (31), and Yoon Il-rok (32) to the defense. Up top, Ko Seung-beom (30), Lee Kyu-sung (30), and Lee Cheong-yong (35) added experience. Cho Hyun-woo (33) was in goal. Anyang also had Kim Jung-hyun (31), Lee Chang-yong (34), Kim Dong-jin (32), Lee Young-jik (33), Kim Young-chan (31), Joo Hyun-woo (34), and Lee Tae-hee (32) in the defense, with Kim Da-sol (35) in goal. The veterans provided a sense of stability for the title-chasing team.
Anyang, in particular, benefited from their veterans more than any other team in their promotion. Lee Tae-hee, Joo Hyun-woo, Lee Young-jik, Kim Young-chan, Kim Jung-hyun, Lee Chang-yong, and Kim Dong-jin, who played key roles in the third and fourth lines, have a combined total of 1,677 professional games (league standard). They have averaged more than 200 games in the major leagues.
From 2018 to last year, Anyang scored 50 goals (36 games), 52 goals (38 games), 38 goals (27 games), 40 goals (37 games), 41 goals (41 games), and 51 goals (36 games). A shaky defense played a role in the team falling out of the title race last year. They were good at ‘battling’, ranking first in both ground and aerial ball wins, but they were not the final winners of the battles.
This season, the team’s ability to defend has improved. Midfielders Kim Jeong-hyun and Lee Young-jik added stability to the midfield with their energetic activity and strong man-to-man marking ability, while Lee Chang-yong, Kim Dong-jin, Kim Young-chan, Joo Hyun-woo, and Lee Tae-hee reduced the pressure on the goalkeeper with their organized defense. Most of the players have been playing together for a long time, so the team’s organization was never shaky, and even if it was, they quickly regained their footing. Anyang coach Yoo Byung-hoon, a “novice coach” who knows the characteristics of Anyang players better than anyone else, also handled the absence of Lee Chang-yong, who suffered a long-term injury in September.
Anyang hasn’t allowed more than 11 shots on goal since that September match against Iland. In the 0-0 draw against Bucheon in the last round that clinched the title, they had five shots on goal and no shots on target. After recording eight clean sheets last season, Anyang has 12 clean sheets this year (second overall).
Individual performances also stood out. Lee Tae-hee and Kim Jung-hyun are fifth (51) and sixth (49) in K League 2 in interceptions. Kim Young-chan, the “son-in-law of Lee Kyung-kyu,” is tied for third in the league in interceptions per 90 minutes (1.0) and clearances per 90 minutes (4.7). He has been in ‘iron wall mode’ every time he has appeared. Kim ranks third overall with a save percentage of 71.1%. Lee Young-jik ran more than 10 kilometers in almost every game, switching between defensive midfield and center back. In his absence, the weight of the defense was significantly reduced, and the quality of passing forward was reduced. Kim Dong-jin filled the gap by playing a variety of positions, from winger to fullback, while the ‘2000-born duo’ Park Jong-hyun and Choi Kyu-hyun showed off their ‘crazy presence’ among their ‘older brothers’.
The stability of the veteran-led defense allowed the offense, led by Mateus and Yago, the best crack in K-League 2, to showcase their talents to the fullest. Conversely, the defense was able to take the pressure off the offensive line because of their extreme efficiency. Anyang, with everyone united, went to the first division.