Melbourne Victory kick-off their 2018 AFC Champions League campaign on Tuesday night as they host K-League side Ulsan Hyundai at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Victory head into the clash on the back of three consecutive defeats in the Hyundai A-League but will be desperate to get off to a flying start in the ACL, especially at home.
The Koreans are yet to begin their domestic campaign – it starts in March – but finished last season in fourth spot in the K-League.
Find out a bit more about Ulsan below.
How did they qualify?
Ulsan Hyundai defeated Busan IPark 2-1 over two legs in the Korean FA Cup final to qualify for this year’s Champions League.
It was their first Cup win, and their first appearance in the Final since a runners up finish in 1998.
What is their history in the Champions League?
2018 will be Ulsan’s seventh Asian Champions League campaign since they first qualified in 1998.
They have won the ACL once, back in 2012 when it defeated Saudi side Al-Ahli 3-0 in the Final.
This is the first time in their history that they have managed to qualify for consecutive Champions Leagues, after a Group Stage appearance in 2017.
Who are their key players?
Pacy Croatian attacker Mirslav Orsic has impressed for Ulsan since joining the club in January 2017. He scored two goals in the Group Stage against Brisbane Roar in last season’s Champions League.
Striker Lee Jong-ho is dangerous. He has scored 49 K-League goals, including eight last season, and won the Champions League with Jeonbuk back in 2016.
Experienced midfielder Hwang Il-su recently joined Ulsan from Chinese Super League side Yanbian Funde. The 30-year-old has four caps for the South Korean national team after making his debut last year.
Did you know?
Current Newcastle Jets star Dimitri Petratos is a former Ulsan Hyundai player, turning out for the club in the 2017 K-League campaign.
