SEOUL - In a dominant display of football, South Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC emerged victorious against the Japanese team Ventforet Kofu, securing a 3-0 win in the first leg of the round of 16 at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League. The match, which took place on Thursday, saw Ulsan's forward Joo Min-kyu scoring two goals in the first half, with defender Seol Young-woo adding a third after the break, at the Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ulsan, located about 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul, showed their superiority early on. Despite early attempts from Ventforet to challenge Ulsan's goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, it was Ulsan who found the back of the net through precise finishing and strategic play. The second leg of the tie is scheduled for next Wednesday at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, where the aggregate score will decide the team moving forward to the quarterfinals.
The potential quarterfinal match-up will pit the winner of this series against the victor of another round of 16 contests involving two K League 1 clubs, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers. Ulsan's comprehensive performance sets a high bar for the return leg in Tokyo, as they seek to advance further in the prestigious continental competition.