Ulsan defeat rivals Jeonbuk to inch toward K League 1 title

▲ Martin Adam of Ulsan Hyundai FC (C) celebrates his goal against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during the clubs' K League 1 match at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Oct. 8, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Ulsan Hyundai FC head coach Hong Myung-bo (L) celebrates his team's equalizer against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors during a 2-1 victory in the clubs' K League 1 match at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Oct. 8, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ Ulsan Hyundai FC players celebrate their 2-1 victory over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the clubs' K League 1 match at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Oct. 8, 2022, in this photo provided by the Korea Professional Football League. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

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Ulsan defeat rivals Jeonbuk to inch toward K League 1 title

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Yonhap) -- Ulsan Hyundai FC rallied past rivals Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 on Saturday, taking a crucial step toward ending their long title drought in the top South Korean football league.

Martin Adam netted two goals during stoppage in the second half for the dramatic victory in K League 1 action at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan, 310 kilometers southeast of Seoul.

Ulsan improved to 72 points, eight clear of Jeonbuk, with both teams having three matches left this season. Ulsan firmly control their own destiny and can clinch their first title since 2005 by winning one of their three remaining matches.

The championship celebration can come as early as Tuesday against Pohang Steelers.

Jeonbuk drew first blood in the 33rd minute, with Mo Barrow, the Player of the Month for September, scoring with a volley from the goalmouth.

Song Min-kyu headed down a corner, and the ball bounced to unmarked Barrow, who made no mistake with the left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

Midfielder Lee Chung-yong was guarding the goal line for Ulsan, but he couldn't stop the shot, either.

Ulsan kept pushing for the equalizer, though Jeonbuk defenders blocked shooting lanes and kept their opponents at bay for long stretches.

Adam, the Hungarian international who had given Ulsan a jolt in recent weeks, came through off the bench.

In the 96th minute, Adam converted a penalty, awarded after a video review showed that a shot attempt went off the hand of Jeonbuk midfielder Ryu Jae-moon in the box.

Then three minutes later, Adam headed home a corner taken by Lee Gyu-sung to whip the crowd into a frenzy.

Jeonbuk are going for a record sixth consecutive championship, but they now must win all remaining matches and hope for some help from others.

Each of the past three titles by Jeonbuk came at the expense of Ulsan, who suffered maddening late-season collapses in those years but now appear on the verge of finally exorcising their demons.

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