Ulsan HD head coach Kim Pan-gon has reacted to his team's 1-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in the FIFA Club World Cup.
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Masandawana secured a historic victory in their opening group F game courtesy of an Iqraam Rayners goal, and the South African forward was denied an opportunity to grab a hat-trick but had two goals ruled out for handball and offside, respectively.
Sundowns now sit top of Group F after Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense played out to a goalless draw in the group's other game.
According to NewsPim, Pan-gon's decision to switch from his usual back four to a back-three backfired as the team failed to capitalise on the "defence-first" strategy.
Speaking after the game, Ulsan HD coach Kim Pan-gon responded to his team's defeat, and said there were positives to take from the performance.
"I expected more aggressive runs from Um Won-sang and Gustav Ludwigson. Um did show some good moments. Despite the disappointment, we created some good chances in the first half, and I’m thinking positively," Pan-gon said.
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He added: "Both players are aggressive, and we had strong centre-backs, so we had to take some risks on the flanks. The first goal was regrettable, and there were organisational issues within the team. If we can improve that, I believe the three-back system has potential," he said.
Photo: X/@letrxc
