Seol Young-woo’s volley in the closing moments of the first half sealed the win for Hong’s charges and they will face either China PR's Shandong Taishan or Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in the semi-finals.

“Today's match was incredibly positive. From kickoff to the final whistle, our players gave their all. They handled pressure exceptionally well, showcasing the progress we've made in recent years. I want to extend my gratitude to all the players for their hard work and dedication," said Hong.

“Since my arrival in 2021, Jeonbuk have consistently been a formidable team. I've emphasised to my players the importance of thorough preparation before each match, especially against tough opponents like Jeonbuk. Our victories against Jeonbuk and other teams have undoubtedly contributed to our improvement.

“However, we still have much to accomplish if we aim to qualify for the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. This win against Jeonbuk is significant and serves as a positive result for everyone involved."

After the final whistle echoed through the stadium, Jeonbuk head coach Dan Petrescu cut a forlorn figure - attributing his team’s exit to a lack of sharpness in front of goal.

“I'm very disappointed that we didn't qualify for the semi-finals. I believe we deserved more in both games. Football isn't just about creating opportunities as it's also about converting them into goals,” said Petrescu.

“We had a shaky start in the first half, missing three key chances and conceding a goal in the final seconds. Ulsan didn't pose any clear threats in the second half.

 

“The Ulsan goalkeeper stood out as the best player on the pitch.Over both legs, he was exceptional. Football boils down to scoring goals, and despite creating many chances, we couldn't convert. At this level, missed opportunities cost dearly. Although the players gave their all, we fell short.

“Our goal was to bring joy to our fans, but it didn't work out this time. Now, all we can do is wish Ulsan the best for the next round. I hope they win the AFC Champions League title."