Ulsan lose 1-0 to Gwangju before Hong Myung-bo faces the music

Fans cheered when the club announced the starting XI for Ulsan but immediately started booing when the speakers introduced Hong, holding up banners with phrases like “Liar, Hong Myung-bo" or “The worst manager we have ever seen."

Ulsan HD defender Lim Jong-eun, right, vies for the ball with Gwangju FC midfielder Choe Kyoung-Rok during a K League 1 match at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

ULSAN — Ulsan HD lost 1-0 to Gwangju FC at home on Wednesday in the presence of angry fans who booed Hong Myung-bo for accepting the Korean national team job.

Before kickoff, spectators wearing blue Ulsan jerseys in the stands behind Ulsan goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo exhibited a critical attitude toward Hong, whom the KFA announced as the new national team boss on Sunday despite Hong previously expressing his intention to reject the offer.

Hong Myung-bo watches a K League 1 match between Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

He was still on the touchline at Munsu Football Stadium for Wednesday’s fixture.

Fans cheered when the club announced the starting XI for Ulsan but immediately started booing when the speakers introduced Hong, holding up banners with phrases like “Liar, Hong Myung-bo" or “The worst manager we have ever seen."

Spectators during a K League 1 match between Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Wednesday hold banners criticizing Hong Myung-bo's decision to leave Ulsan to take the helm of the Korean national team. [PAIK JI-HWAN]

They even shouted, “Get out, Hong Myung-bo!” multiple times before the kickoff.

But aside from the fans’ anger at Hong, it seemed an otherwise ordinary match. Fans did not raise the banners slamming Hong during the match but instead waved flags in support of the Ulsan players.

Spectators during a K League 1 match between Ulsan HD and Gwangju FC at Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan on Wednesday wave flags to support Ulsan. [PAIK JI-HWAN]

Ulsan struggled in the simultaneously friendly and hostile atmosphere, failing to capitalize a few good chances in the first half and allowing fast build-ups by Gwangju that led to shots in dangerous positions. Gwangju were quicker and more lethal when breaking through.

But Gwangju couldn’t make their chances count through the end of the half, ending it goalless.

The second half saw Ulsan playing high-line frequently, but that did not translate into anything coherent.

Gwangju midfielder Lee Hee-gyun found a crack in the armor of Ulsan and opened the scoring in the 66th minute.

Despite conceding the goal, Ulsan fans became louder when they saw defensive midfielder Jung Woo-young — who joined the squad Tuesday with a photo of him riding a salmon — substituting in for Darijan Bojanic in the 71st minute.

Ulsan continued their high-line play for the equalizer, but the Gwangju defense stayed sturdy in the penalty area and on the edges of the box, where multiple defenders marked one player at the same time.

While blocking shots inside the box, Ulsan screamed for a handball, but the referee did not accept the call. A 1-0 loss was the end result for Ulsan.

Whether it was the final game for Hong is unclear, as he has an option to manage both the national team and Ulsan. As of press time, Hong is set to hold a press conference with reporters after the match.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]