The Pohang Steelers (Hangul: 포항 스틸러스) are a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province that compete in the K League 1, the top flight of South Korean football. The Steelers were founded on 1 April 1973 as POSCO FC, named after the steel company POSCO, which still owns the club today.[1] They are one of South Korea's most successful teams, having won the K League five times and the AFC Champions League three times.[2]
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| Full name | Football Club Pohang Steelers 포항 스틸러스 프로축구단 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1 April 1973 (as POSCO FC) | ||
| Ground | Pohang Steel Yard | ||
| Capacity | 17,443 | ||
| Owner | POSCO | ||
| Chairman | Shin Young-gwon | ||
| Manager | Park Tae-ha | ||
| League | K League 1 | ||
| 2023 | K League 1, 2nd of 12 | ||
| Website | https://www.steelers.co.kr/ | ||
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History
editThe club was founded on 1 April 1973 as Pohang Iron & Steel Company FC, or simply POSCO FC.[1][3] Initially a semi-professional club, they turned professional in the 1984 season and changed its name to POSCO Dolphins. A year later they renamed as the POSCO Atoms.[4] In 1986 they won their first Championship, and enjoyed a great spell of domination in the league; between 1985 and 1998 they were continuously in the top four of the K League.
In 1995 the club was renamed again, becoming the Pohang Atoms. This name change was an attempt to further strengthen local ties with the region, and in 1997 they adopted their current name, the Pohang Steelers. The team won the Asian Champions Cup in 1997 and 1998.[5]
In the 2000s, the club struggled near the bottom of the table, but bounced back to the forefront of South Korean football by winning the first stage of the 2004 K League Championship. The club qualified for the final Championship match of the 2004 season, but lost 4–3 on penalties to Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[6]
In 2007, the club won the Championship play-off by beating Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, who finished in first place in the regular season of the K League. Pohang won the first leg 3–1 at home, and then traveled to Seongnam for the second leg game, recording a 1–0 victory to seal a 4–1 aggregate triumph. The Steelers had ended the K League season in fifth place, but then defeated Gyeongnam FC, Ulsan Hyundai Horang-i, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and finally Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the play-offs to win the championship.[7]
Pohang again made the play-offs in the 2008 season by finishing the season in fifth place, but were knocked out in their play-off game by Ulsan Hyundai after the penalty shoot-out. However, the club fared much better in the 2008 Korean FA Cup. After beating Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the quarter-finals, Pohang knocked out Daegu FC in the semi-finals and then defeated Gyeongnam FC in the final to ensure qualification for the 2009 AFC Champions League.[8]
In the 2009 AFC Champions League, the Steelers defeated Umm-Salal of Qatar 4–1 on aggregate in the semi-finals to advance to their first ever AFC Champions League final.[9] The Steelers defeated Saudi club Al-Ittihad 2–1 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan to claim the title.[10] For the 2009 K League season, Pohang once again qualified for the play-off phase of the league by finishing the regular season in second place, equal with FC Seoul on points, but ahead on goal difference. The Steelers had a bye to the semi-finals, but lost to Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.[11] Nonetheless, their regular season placing saw them qualify for the 2010 AFC Champions League Group stage.
Following the conclusion of the 2009 K League season, at the 2009 FIFA Club World Cup in December, the Steelers finished in third place after defeating Mexican side Atlante 4–3 on penalties.[12]
Kits
editIn 1994, POSCO Atoms wore a green kit and a white kit with a multicoloured sun in the middle. In 1997, Pohang Steelers wore a white shirt with black stripes on the shoulders and black shorts. In 2000, the first kit consisted of a sky blue shirt and white shorts, while the away kit was a black and red hooped shirt with black shorts (similar to the current kit). In 2002 the kit was red with a black "V" on the chest.
Kit suppliers
edit| Kit supplier | Period |
|---|---|
| Adidas | 1984–1987, 1990–1992 |
| Prospecs | 1987–1989, 1993–1995 |
| Adidas | 1996–2001 |
| Diadora | 2002 |
| Puma | 2003–2005 |
| Kappa | 2006–2012 |
| Atemi | 2013–2014 |
| Hummel | 2015–2016 |
| Astore | 2017–2020 |
| Puma | 2021–present |
Current squad
edit- As of 22 February 2024[13]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
editNote: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
edit
Domestic
editLeague
editCups
edit- FA Cup
- League Cup
- National Football Championship
- Runners-up (2): 1977, 1985[14]
- President's Cup
- Winners (1): 1974
- Runners-up (1): 1989[14]
International
editContinental
edit- AFC Champions League
- Asian Super Cup
- A3 Champions Cup
- Runners-up (1): 2005
Worldwide
edit- FIFA Club World Cup
- Third place (1): 2009
- Afro-Asian Club Championship
Invitational
edit- DCM Trophy[15]
- Winners (1): 1988[16]
- Runners-up (1): 1989
- King's Cup
- Runners-up (1): 1987
Season-by-season records
editDomestic record
edit| Season | Division | Tms. | Pos. | FA Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 1 | 5 | 4 | — |
| 1984 | 1 | 8 | 5 | — |
| 1985 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — |
| 1986 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 1987 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — |
| 1988 | 1 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 1989 | 1 | 6 | 4 | — |
| 1990 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — |
| 1991 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — |
| 1992 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 1993 | 1 | 6 | 4 | — |
| 1994 | 1 | 7 | 3 | — |
| 1995 | 1 | 8 | 2 | — |
| 1996 | 1 | 9 | 3 | Winners |
| 1997 | 1 | 10 | 4 | Semi-final |
| 1998 | 1 | 10 | 3 | Semi-final |
| 1999 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Round of 16 |
| 2000 | 1 | 10 | 9 | Quarter-final |
| 2001 | 1 | 10 | 5 | Runners-up |
| 2002 | 1 | 10 | 6 | Runners-up |
| 2003 | 1 | 12 | 7 | Quarter-final |
| 2004 | 1 | 13 | 2 | Round of 32 |
| 2005 | 1 | 13 | 5 | Quarter-final |
| 2006 | 1 | 14 | 3 | Round of 16 |
| 2007 | 1 | 14 | 1 | Runners-up |
| 2008 | 1 | 14 | 5 | Winners |
| 2009 | 1 | 15 | 3 | Quarter-final |
| 2010 | 1 | 15 | 9 | Round of 16 |
| 2011 | 1 | 16 | 3 | Semi-final |
| 2012 | 1 | 16 | 3 | Winners |
| 2013 | 1 | 14 | 1 | Winners |
| 2014 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Round of 16 |
| 2015 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Quarter-final |
| 2016 | 1 | 12 | 9 | Round of 32 |
| 2017 | 1 | 12 | 7 | Round of 32 |
| 2018 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Round of 32 |
| 2019 | 1 | 12 | 4 | Round of 32 |
| 2020 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Semi-final |
| 2021 | 1 | 12 | 9 | Quarter-final |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 3 | Quarter-final |
| 2023 | 1 | 12 | 2 | Winners |
- Key
- Tms. = Number of teams
- Pos. = Position in league
Continental record
editAll results list Pohang's goal tally first.
AFC Champions League
edit| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Group E |  Adelaide United
|
0–2 | 0–1 | 3rd |
 Becamex Binh Duong
|
0–0 | 4–1 | |||
 Changchun Yatai
|
2–2 | 0–1 | |||
| 2009 | Group H | Central Coast Mariners
|
3–2 | 0–0 | 1st |
 Kawasaki Frontale
|
1–1 | 2–0 | |||
| Tianjin TEDA
|
1–0 | 0–0 | |||
| Round of 16 | Newcastle Jets
|
6–0 | — | — | |
| Quarter-final |  Bunyodkor
|
4–1 (a.e.t.) | 1–3 | 5–4 | |
| Semi-final |  Umm-Salal
|
2–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 | |
| Final |  Al-Ittihad
|
2–1[a] | — | ||
| 2010 | Group H | Adelaide United
|
0–0 | 0–1 | 2nd |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima
|
2–1 | 3–4 | |||
| Shandong Luneng
|
1–0 | 2–1 | |||
| Round of 16 | Kashima Antlers
|
— | 1–0 | — | |
| Quarter-final |  Zob Ahan
|
1–1 | 1–2 | 2–3 | |
| 2012 | Play-off |  Chonburi
|
2–0 | — | — |
| Group E | Gamba Osaka
|
2–0 | 3–0 | 3rd | |
| Bunyodkor
|
0–2 | 0–1 | |||
| Adelaide United
|
1–0 | 0–1 | |||
| 2013 | Group G | Beijing Guoan
|
0–0 | 0–2 | 3rd |
| Bunyodkor
|
1–1 | 2–2 | |||
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima
|
1–1 | 1–0 | |||
| 2014 | Group E | Cerezo Osaka
|
1–1 | 2–0 | 1st |
| Buriram United
|
0–0 | 2–1 | |||
| Shandong Luneng
|
2–2 | 4–2 | |||
| Round of 16 |  Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
|
1–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | |
| Quarter-final | FC Seoul
|
0–0 | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | 0–0 (0–3 p) | |
| 2016 | Play-off | Hanoi FC
|
3–0 | — | — |
| Group H | Guangzhou Evergrande
|
0–2 | 0–0 | 4th | |
| Urawa Red Diamonds
|
1–0 | 1–1 | |||
| Sydney FC
|
0–1 | 0–1 | |||
| 2021 | Group G | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol
|
2–0[a] | 0–0[a] | 2nd |
| Nagoya Grampus
|
1–1[a] | 0–3[a] | |||
 Johor Darul Ta'zim
|
4–1[a] | 2–0[a] | |||
| Round of 16 | Cerezo Osaka
|
— | 1–0 | — | |
| Quarter-final | Nagoya Grampus
|
3–0[a] | — | ||
| Semi-final | Ulsan Hyundai
|
1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p)[a] |
— | ||
| Final | Al-Hilal
|
— | 0–2 | — | |
| 2023–24 | Group J | Hanoi FC
|
2–0 | 4–2 | 1st |
| Wuhan Three Towns
|
3–1 | 1–1 | |||
| Urawa Red Diamonds
|
2–1 | 2–0 | |||
| Round of 16 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
|
1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | |
AFC Champions League Elite
edit| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Agg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | League stage | Shanghai Shenhua
|
— | 1–4 | |
| Shanghai Port
|
3–0 | — | |||
| Buriram United
|
— | 0–1 | |||
| Shandong Taishan
|
— | ||||
| Yokohama F. Marinos
|
— | ||||
| Vissel Kobe
|
— | ||||
| Kawasaki Frontale
|
— | ||||
| Johor Darul Ta'zim
|
— |
Managers
edit| No. | Manager | Period | Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Han Hong-ki
|
2 May 1973 – 29 November 1984 | |
| 2 | Choi Eun-taek
|
29 November 1984 – 16 December 1986 | 1986 K League |
| 3 | Lee Hoe-taik
|
16 December 1986 – 31 December 1992 | 1988 K League, 1992 K League |
| C | Kim Soon-ki Kim Chul-soo
|
1989 | |
| C | Cho Yoon-ok
|
1989–1990 | |
| 4 | Huh Jung-moo
|
1993 – 25 November 1995 | 1993 League Cup |
| C | Kim Soon-ki
|
1994 | |
| 5 | Park Sung-hwa
|
12 December 1995 – 31 July 2000 | 1996 FA Cup, 1996–97 Asian Club Championship, 1997–98 Asian Club Championship |
| 6 | Choi Soon-ho
|
1 August 2000 – 5 December 2004 | |
| 7 |  Sérgio Farias
|
6 January 2005 – 20 December 2009 | 2007 K League, 2008 FA Cup, 2009 League Cup, 2009 AFC Champions League |
| 8 | Waldemar Lemos
|
8 January – 10 May 2010 | |
| C | Park Chang-hyun
|
11 May – 7 November 2010 | |
| 9 | Hwang Sun-hong
|
13 December 2010 – 29 November 2015 | 2012 FA Cup, 2013 FA Cup, 2013 K League |
| 10 | Choi Jin-cheul
|
28 December 2015 – 24 September 2016 | |
| 11 | Choi Soon-ho
|
26 September 2016 – 22 April 2019 | |
| 12 | Kim Gi-dong
|
23 April 2019 – 14 December 2023 | 2023 FA Cup |
| 13 | Park Tae-ha
|
15 December 2023 – present |
- Names in italics indicates interim or caretaker manager
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Pohang Steelers: 50 Years of Footballing Heritage". the-afc.com. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ "포항스틸러스, AFC 예선 히로시마전 아쉬운 무승부". nocutnews.co.kr. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "South Korea – Foundation Dates of Clubs". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ 역대 클럽 엠블렘 & 마스코트 변천사. Steelyard.net (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ "Asian Champions' Cup". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "South Korea 2004". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "South Korea 2007". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "South Korea 2008". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "East to meet West in AFC final". FIFA.com. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ "Pohang book UAE berth". FIFA.com. 7 November 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ "Asian champions Pohang go down to Seongnam". the-afc.com (AFC). 30 November 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- ^ "Pohang penalty joy". ESPN Soccernet. 19 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
- ^ "STEELERS PLAYER – ALL" (in Korean). Pohang Steelers. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Football Club Pohang Steelers was founded as a semi-professional team in 1973, and turned into a professional team in 1984. Even after the club turned professional, Pohang managed a separate, semi-professional reserves team that participated in the Korean National Semi-Professional Football League until the formation of R League.
- ^ "India – D.C.M. Trophy". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ Morrison, Neil. "D.C.M. Trophy – List of Finals (1988)". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
External links
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