ACLE PREVIEW: Ulsan HD v City

Melbourne City’s AFC Champions League Elite campaign is set to resume with a bang on Wednesday night, with Aurelio Vidmar’s side in Korea to face Ulsan HD in our penultimate League Stage fixture.

With just two matches remaining before the knockout stages, City know every point will be crucial as we look to build on what has been an impressive response to a challenging start on the continental stage. A positive result in Ulsan would place us in a strong position heading into the final round, as the race for a place in the top eight reaches its decisive phase.

Here’s what to look out for when we take to the pitch in Korea.

Two to go in a tight race

Wednesday night’s clash marks the beginning of the final stretch of City’s League Stage campaign, which first got underway back in mid-September. After opening the competition with back-to-back defeats, Vidmar’s side has shown real resilience, stringing together three consecutive victories before finishing 2025 with a hard-fought draw away to FC Seoul.

That run has left us sitting fourth on the East Region table with two fixtures remaining, but the margins could scarcely be tighter. With only a handful of points and goal difference separating the top sides from those hovering around the qualification cut-off, there is little room for error as the competition resumes.

For City, maintaining the momentum built late last year will be critical. A strong performance in Ulsan would not only boost confidence but also significantly shape the landscape heading into the final matchday, as we continue our push to reach the knockout stages of Asia’s premier Men’s club competition for the first time.

Reinforcements arrive amid changing conditions

City arrived in Korea directly from Sydney following Saturday night’s A-League draw with Western Sydney Wanderers. In a match played in testing conditions, City produced a much-improved second half, with captain Aziz Behich scoring a superb opener before the Wanderers struck back to claim a share of the points.

Those warm summer temperatures will feel a world away on Wednesday night, with conditions in Ulsan forecast to hover around five degrees at kick-off. Managing that transition will be a key challenge, particularly as we face a quick turnaround between fixtures.

There is, however, a boost on the selection front, with several reinforcements joining the squad for the continental trip.

Among them is Harrison Delbridge, who returns to familiar surroundings after spending the past five years in the K League with Incheon United. His experience of Korean football and conditions is expected to be a valuable asset both on and off the pitch.

Kavian Rahmani and Emin Durakovic have also rejoined the travelling group after missing recent fixtures through injury, further strengthening City’s options as the stakes continue to rise.

A difficult opponent to read

Ulsan HD present an intriguing challenge for City, not least because Wednesday night’s fixture comes during their off-season. The Korean side has not played a competitive match since the previous round of AFC Champions League Elite fixtures in early December, making their current match sharpness difficult to gauge.

Since then, significant change has taken place at the club. Former Ulsan star Hyun-seok Kim has taken charge as Head Coach, returning to a side he represented more than 300 times during a decorated playing career. Alongside the coaching change, there has also been notable squad turnover, adding another layer of unpredictability for City as we prepare.

Currently occupying eighth place – the final qualification position – Ulsan will be desperate to deliver a strong performance at home under new leadership. City, meanwhile, will need to be ready for a highly motivated opponent as we chase a result that could prove pivotal in shaping our continental campaign.

Fixture Details

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