Ulsan HD Andalkan Eric Hadapi Daejeon Hana Citizen

Ulsan HD menampilkan penyerang Eric sejak menit awal saat bertandang melawan Daejeon Hana Citizen dalam pertandingan pekan ke-18 K League 1 musim 2026 di Stadion Piala Dunia Daejeon pada Sabtu, 18 Juli 2026 pukul 19.30 waktu setempat.

Tim tamu menerapkan formasi 3-4-3 dengan menempatkan Eric di ujung tombak, didukung oleh Lee Hee-kyun dan Lee Dong-kyung di sektor sayap, sementara penjaga gawang Cho Hyun-woo bertugas mengawal lini pertahanan terakhir.

Di kubu tuan rumah, Daejeon Hana Citizen mengusung skema 4-4-2 dengan menduetkan Seo Jin-soo dan Diogo di lini depan, sedangkan posisi penjaga gawang dipercayakan kepada Lee Chang-geun.

"I had several meetings with Eric," ujar Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD seperti dilansir dari mk.co.kr.

Keputusan menurunkan penyerang asal Brasil tersebut diambil setelah tim pelatih memantau perkembangan kondisinya secara langsung selama sesi latihan menjelang pertandingan.

"Eric has returned to team training since June 1st. Not yet 100 per cent. However, he prepared to return more sincerely than anyone else.

I ordered Eric to 'spill 100%'. I'm going to change it as soon as I lose my stamina," kata Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.

Meskipun kondisi fisiknya belum pulih sepenuhnya, sang pemain menunjukkan motivasi tinggi untuk segera memberikan kontribusi nyata di lapangan.

"Eric showed a strong will to play in the game. I hope you take the lead in the team's victory in Daejeon away," tambah Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.

Ulsan HD saat ini berada di peringkat kelima klasemen sementara K League 1 setelah mengumpulkan 27 poin dari hasil delapan kemenangan, tiga hasil imbang, dan enam kekalahan dalam 17 pertandingan yang telah dijalani.

"I think Daejeon is coming out as expected. Daejeon Diogo played well in the first game against us. I thought it would come out instead of Joo Min-gyu.

Won Sang and Seo Jin-soo also recovered from injury, so they expected to start. I knew my opponent's strengths and prepared well. I will do my best," tutur Kim Hyun-seok, Kepala Pelatih Ulsan HD.