Ulsan HD vs. Chengdu Rongcheng – Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, 7:00 PM KST
When Ulsan HD walk out under the floodlights of the Munsu Football Stadium this Wednesday, it won’t feel like just another AFC Champions League Elite fixture.
For the Koreans, it is a desperate cry for redemption. For Chengdu Rongcheng, it is the ceremonial unveiling of their continental identity. And for both managers, Shin Tae-yong and Seo Jung-won, it is a reunion of brothers-turned-rivals — a friendship forged in fire now tested by tactics and survival.
This isn’t just football. It’s the tale of a fallen tiger trying to rediscover its roar and a rising dragon desperate to prove its wings are strong enough for Asia’s fiercest skies.
Ulsan HD: The Fallen Champion’s Desperate Roar
A year ago, Ulsan were untouchable. They were the champions of Korea, the bullies of K League 1, a club chasing a fourth straight crown. Now, they look broken.
Currently sitting ninth in K League 1 with just 35 points from 29 games, they are only four points above the relegation playoff line. The mighty have not just stumbled; they’ve collapsed into a relegation dogfight.
The statistics tell a brutal story. Since Shin Tae-yong’s appointment, Ulsan have only managed a single victory, followed by four games without a win (three defeats and one draw). Their fortress has become fragile, their aura of inevitability replaced by insecurity.
And yet, this is Asia. The Champions League Elite offers something domestic football cannot: the possibility of escape, the chance to reframe a season from disaster to rebirth.
Shin Tae-yong’s Burden
For Shin, this is more than a coaching gig. It is a resurrection project. After being dismissed from the Indonesian national team, the former World Cup coach has been parachuted in as Ulsan’s firefighter. His words are bold:
“I have no intention of sitting back and defending. Fans want us to score goals and win. We will show a completely new Ulsan.”
It has been 4,680 days since Shin last prowled a Champions League technical area. His 2012 Seongnam side fell short; now, he has a chance to reintroduce himself to Asia with knives sharpened. But his balancing act is delicate. He admits the league remains the “priority,” yet insists ACLE is an opportunity for a “turnaround.”
Flickers of Hope
Even in Ulsan’s gloom, there are sparks.
- Heo Yul broke a 189-day scoring drought in the fiery Donghaean Derby, his header salvaging a draw against Pohang and reminding fans that belief is not dead.
- Um Won-sang, returning from a 48-day injury layoff, nearly scored with his first shot back. His pace and unpredictability could give Chengdu headaches.
- Jo Hyeon-woo, Ulsan’s ever-reliable goalkeeper, continues to perform miracles — his penalty save in stoppage time against Pohang back in May summed up his defiance.
But fatigue hangs heavy. Ulsan’s squad has already slogged through 34 matches across four competitions this year. They are battered, tired, and mentally scarred. Shin Tae-yong has granted players individual holidays to recharge, but whether energy can be restored in time for Chengdu remains uncertain.
A City’s Mood
The malaise isn’t just on the pitch. Average attendance at Munsu has dipped from 18,611 last year to 15,598 this season. The club hopes a new bright-orange “construction-inspired” kit — to be debuted in a sponsor event later this month — can inject energy. But kits don’t win games. Goals and grit do.
Chengdu Rongcheng: The Rising Dragon’s Continental Debut
While Ulsan reel from crisis, Chengdu Rongcheng arrive in Asia’s elite competition like a comet. Founded only in 2018, the club has ascended at astonishing speed. From second-tier obscurity, they now sit atop the Chinese Super League.
With 53 points from 24 games, Chengdu are in imperious form. Seven unbeaten matches (six wins, one draw) underline their momentum. This summer, they swatted aside Bangkok United 3-0 to seal their continental ticket.
For Chengdu, this isn’t desperation. It’s celebration.
Seo Jung-won’s Masterclass
At the heart of the rise is coach Seo Jung-won. A K League legend, Seo has sculpted Chengdu into a disciplined, intelligent, and dangerous team. His humility tempers their success:
“Our priority is the league title. We come into ACLE with a learning attitude.”
Yet beneath the humility lies a cunning tactician. Expect Chengdu to rotate, conserve energy, and play with patience. A 5-4-1 setup, anchored by counterattacks and defensive discipline, could frustrate Ulsan’s fragile confidence.
Stars to Watch
- Felipe – The hulking Brazilian striker has bagged 12 goals in 24 CSL appearances. A familiar face from Gwangju FC, he relishes bullying K League defenses.
- Wei Shihao – Lightning-fast and lethal, he ended a personal drought with a goal against Changchun Yatai. But his thigh injury makes him a fitness doubt, a subplot that could tilt Chengdu’s attack.
- Gurfiinkel – The Israeli left-back exploded against Shanghai Port with a goal, an assist, and a penalty won. Fresh from suspension, he will test Ulsan’s shaky flanks.
Chengdu’s fanbase is equally formidable. Over 40,000 attended their last CSL home game, turning matches into festivals. For them, ACLE isn’t just football — it’s proof that Chengdu belong on Asia’s biggest stage.
A Friendship Forged in Fire
The subtext to Wednesday’s battle is deeply human. Shin Tae-yong and Seo Jung-won are not just rival coaches. They are old friends.
Shin reminisces:
“Seo and I lived together from age 16. We were Olympic teammates, national teammates — he was on the right wing, I was on the left. Those memories are still vivid.”
Now, the pair meet as generals of opposing armies. Shin fights to salvage his reputation; Seo rides the crest of success. Both know each other’s habits, tells, and instincts. Shin joked ominously:
“I know Seo very well, and he knows me well. So let’s fight with real knives and guns.”
Adding spice is Chengdu’s assistant coach Ha Dae-sung, once of Ulsan, and Ulsan’s own ex-CSL contingent: captain Kim Young-gwon (Guangzhou), Jung Woo-young (Chongqing), Kang Sang-woo (Beijing Guoan), and new signing Malkom (Wuhan Three Towns). The lines between familiarity and rivalry blur.
The Tactical Landscape
Ulsan HD
- Formation: 3-4-3
- Key Man: Malkom – Brazilian summer signing with 3 goals in 7 games. His aerial presence and post-play may trouble Chengdu.
- Weaknesses: fragile pressing, inconsistent midfield passing, and legs heavy from a brutal schedule.
Chengdu Rongcheng
- Formation: 5-4-1
- Key Man: Felipe – Aerial beast, perfect for Seo’s counter-punching blueprint.
- Strengths: disciplined defense, clever wing play, and Romulo’s midfield composure.
- Weakness: Uncertainty around Wei Shihao could blunt their speed.
More Than Three Points
The stakes transcend football.
- For Ulsan, this is redemption. A win could ignite their season, restore pride, and give fans a reason to believe again.
- For Chengdu, it is history. Their first steps on continental soil carry symbolic weight, a statement that Chinese football has a new power rising.
- For the K League, it is survival. Once kings of Asia, Korea’s clubs now trail Saudi Arabia’s oil-fueled juggernauts. A strong run is needed to remind the continent of their pedigree.
- For both clubs, there is money on the line: $100,000 per win, $200,000 for the knockouts, $400,000 for the quarters. Ulsan need it to stabilize; Chengdu to grow.
Final Word
On Wednesday night, two very different forces will collide. One battered, one blossoming. One clinging to pride, the other surging toward promise. But beneath the statistics and tactics lies something more powerful: friendship turned rivalry, memory turned competition.
For Shin Tae-yong, victory would be salvation. For Seo Jung-won, it would be validation. For fans across Asia, it promises to be a spectacle of raw emotion, tactical intrigue, and the eternal truth of football: even in chaos, beauty survives.
The tiger may be wounded. The dragon may be untested. But when fire meets claw in Ulsan, the sparks will be unforgettable.
How to Watch Ulsan HD vs Chengdu Rongcheng
For UK fans wondering how to watch football online, the good news is this AFC Champions League Elite clash is available completely free. You can watch football online free via the official AFC Hub YouTube channel at the following link:
👉 AFC Hub – Official YouTube Stream
Kick-off is 12:00 PM BST on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, making it a perfect lunchtime fixture for those who want to watch football live free while at work, at home, or on the go.
Unlike some Chinese Super League games that sit behind paywalls, this continental encounter is being offered as a free global stream. That means no hidden charges, no dodgy football streams, just an official broadcast you can watch football for free in HD quality.
Whether you follow the K League and want to see how Ulsan HD bounce back from their domestic crisis, or you’re curious about Chengdu Rongcheng’s meteoric rise from China, this is one of the rare chances to watch football live from Asia without needing a subscription.
For fans looking for context, Ulsan play in South Korea, where the South Korea currency is the won (₩), and Chengdu are currently flying high in the Chinese Super League. This continental clash brings both football cultures together on one free stream, accessible worldwide.
In short: if you want to watch football free and catch one of the most intriguing fixtures of the ACLE group stage, all you need is YouTube.
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