Crucial Second Leg Clash: Pohang Steelyard vs Jeonbuk Motors

The AFC Champions League continues with a gripping second leg between Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Motors at Pohang Steelyard on Tuesday, the 20th of February, with kickoff set for 19:00 (KST).

The first leg saw Jeonbuk Motors emerge victorious with a clean sheet, leaving Park Tae-ha’s Pohang Steelers in a tough spot, needing to not only protect their goal but also outscore their opponents by at least two goals to progress.

Jeonbuk will be without the services of Hernandes due to an injury, while Lee Soo-bin and Kim Tae-hwan also face fitness concerns. Meanwhile, Oberdan’s return timetable remains uncertain as he continues to recover from an MCL rupture.

Historically, the Steelers had been dominant against Jeonbuk with victories in their last five encounters, including a win in the FA Cup final. However, recent encounters have seen Jeonbuk turn the tide in their favor.

New signing Jorge Luis Teixeira, commonly known as Jorge, will make his debut for Pohang, aiming to fill the void left by Zeca. In the first leg, Jorge showcased promise with his ball movement and offensive contributions.

Pohang must find a way to break down Jeonbuk’s defense, which has been solid and efficient in transitioning into swift counterattacks. The Steelers must also find a solution to Jeonbuk’s dynamic attacking trio of Lee Dong-jun, Song Min-kyu, and Tiago Orobó.

As Pohang aims to overturn the two-goal deficit, they face the challenge of not only scoring but also keeping a clean sheet. The outcome of the second leg will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the season for both teams.