The match with the defending champions is a good opportunity for younger players of Viettel FC

Ulsan, who are on a 13-match winning streak in the AFC Champions League, lead Group F with 12 points and a win on Thursday will keep them in the driver’s seat to book a place in the Round of 16. Thailand’s BG Pathum United are second on nine points while Viettel are no longer in contention for a place in the knockout stage with just three points to their name.

Both sides met in their group opener almost two weeks ago, where Viettel almost held the defending champions to a goalless draw before Lukas Hinterseer scored from close range in added time to steal the win.

Viettel head coach Heinz-Jurgen Gede hinted he would be giving his younger players an opportunity to play, with the team affected by suspensions and injuries.

“From the last match against Ulsan we know how we have to play, and find the right moment to keep the game,” said Gede. “It won’t be easy but we will try everything. We also have to change some players, but I’m sure the players will be giving 100 percent. We will also put on some young players tomorrow, and we don’t have an issue about that.

“We have to think about our team, and respect the defending champions. We can’t say that we will play without a plan, it’s impossible in this competition. We will find the right way to play strongly and we will see what happens. This is a part of our lives, we can’t always play with the best players. But the young players are hungry, and we are giving them a shot.”

While losing again to Ulsan would be disappointing, Gede stressed that he was happy with his team’s resilience in their continental debut.

“I don’t think we have an issue with motivation. We are still excited to play, and we need to learn. Especially the young players, this is their first time playing here and we’ve given them the confidence.”

Coach Hong admitted that Ulsan hadn’t acclimatised to the climate then but are fully settled and eager to keep their title defence on track.

“We struggled a little in the first game, and I think we got three points with a little bit of luck,” admitted Hong. “Our players have now fully adapted to the weather. It could be a hard game tomorrow but our players are going to do their utmost best to get a good result.”

The K League side will have to do without the services of the suspended Kim Min-jun, who started for Ulsan in all four of their previous matches.

“There are other players who can replace him in that position, so the other players will have to step up.”

Hong also doesn’t expect the Vietnamese champions to play defensively as they did on Matchday One but has full confidence in his players to overcome Viettel once again.

“So far, Viettel have kept to their play style but in the first game, they changed their defensive tactics a little bit. Nobody can predict what will happen tomorrow but in order to prepare for their upcoming (domestic) league, I don’t think they will just put six players in defence. We just have to react accordingly with what comes.”

Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Viettel FC (VIE)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 21:00 hours (UTC+7)