Ulsan Hyundai, which won its first K-League 1 title in a row, and Suwon Samsung, which was humiliated by the first second division relegation in the club's history, gave professional soccer fans the emotion of winning and tears of relegation this season, respectively.
Ulsan confirmed its "early win" by winning 2-0 in the 35th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 Final A home game against Daegu FC at Ulsan Munsu Stadium on October 29.
Ulsan, which rose to the top in 1996 and 2005, succeeded in "returning to the champion" for the first time in 17 years last year and again this year, winning its fourth title (1996, 2005, 2022, 2023).
In particular, head coach Hong Myung-bo, who leads Ulsan, led the "Champion for the second consecutive year," becoming the sixth "K League consecutive head coach" in history.
If Ulsan succeeded in rebuilding the Myeongga, Suwon entered the path of the collapse of the Myeongga.
Suwon finished the season at the bottom of the 38th round of the Hana One Q K League 1 2023 Final B held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on December 2nd, drawing 0-0 with Gangwon FC.
Since the team was founded in 1995, Suwon has won the K League four times (1998, 1999, 2004, 2008) and the FA Cup five times (2002, 2009, 2010, 2016, 2019), and has been loved by fans as a prestigious K League team.
Suwon, which barely survived the promotion playoff (PO) last year, was humiliated by its first two-division relegation since its foundation along with the "last place" of the K League 1 without making a turnaround this year due to poor performance and a series of changes in the head coach.