Pohang Steelers

Pohang Steelers (Hangul: 포항 스틸러스) is a South Korean professional football club based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang. They were originally called POSCO FC, after the Pohang Iron and Steel Co., Ltd that owned it. The club was founded on 1 April 1973 and is one of Korean football's most successful sides.

Pohang Steelers
포항 스틸러스
Full nameFootball Club Pohang Steelers
포항 스틸러스 프로축구단
Nickname(s)Pohang Steelers
Short nameFCPS
Founded1 April 1973 (1 April 1973), as POSCO FC
GroundPohang Steel Yard
Capacity17,443
OwnerPOSCO
ChairmanShin Young-gwon
ManagerKim Gi-dong
LeagueK League 1
2020K League 1, 3rd of 12
WebsiteClub website

They are the joint-most successful team in Asia with three AFC Champions League titles.[1]

History

Founded as a semi-professional football club, as the Pohang Iron and Steel Company Football Club (POSCO FC) on 1 April 1973, the club turned professional from the 1984 season and changed its name to POSCO Dolphins. A further name changed occurred for the 1985 season, during which they were called the POSCO Atoms.[2] 1986 saw them win their first Championship, and they enjoyed a great spell of domination in the league; between 1985 and 1998 they were continuously in the top four of the K-League.

The club achieved a Korean football 'first' at the end of 1990 with the opening of their purpose-built 20,000 seater Steelyard Stadium.

1995 saw yet another name change, when the club became 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 side scaled Asian football heights, winning the Asian Champions Cup in 1997 and 1998 to establish themselves as one of Asia's top teams.

Unfortunately, the club suffered something of a fall from grace in the 2000s, struggling near the foot of the table, but bounced back to the forefront of 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.

In 2007, the club won the Championship play-off by beating Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma, who finished in 1st place in the regular season of the K-League. Pohang won the first leg play-off game at home 3–1, 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 5th place, but then defeated Daejeon Citizen, Gyeongnam, Suwon Samsung Bluewings and finally Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the play-offs to win the championship.

Pohang again made the play-offs in the 2008 season by finishing the season 5th in the league, but were knocked out in their play-off game by Ulsan Hyundai in a penalty shoot-out. However, the club fared much better in the Korean FA Cup. After defeating Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the quarter-final with a penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw after regular and extra time, Pohang knocked out Daegu FC in the semi-final, and then Gyeongnam FC in the final to ensure qualification for the 2009 AFC Champions League by virtue of winning the 2008 Korean FA Cup.

The Steelers then enjoyed a dream run in the Champions League, which saw the club defeat Umm-Salal of Qatar 2–1 (4–1 agg.) to advance to their first ever AFC Champions League final.[3] The Steelers defeated Saudi club Al-Ittihad 2–1 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan to claim the title.[4]

For the 2009 K-League season, Pohang once again qualified for the play-off phase of the league by finishing the regular season in 2nd 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.[5] 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 Atlante 4–3 on penalties.[6]

Kits

In 1994, POSCO Atoms wore a green kit and a white kit with a multicolored sun in the center, in 1997 Pohang Steelers wore a white shirt with black shoulders stripes and black shorts, while 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 and black shorts (similar to the current kit). In 2002 the kit was red with a black V in the chest.

Kit suppliers

Kit supplier Period
Adidas 1982–1987
Prospecs 1987–1989
Adidas 1990–1992
Prospecs 1993–1995
Adidas 1996–2001
Diadora 2002
Puma 2003–2005
Kappa 2006–2012
Atemi 2013–2014
Hummel 2015–2016
Astore 2017–

Honours

The Pohang Steelers celebrate their third AFC Champions League title in 2009.

League

Winners (5): 1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 2013
Runners-up (4): 1985, 1987, 1995, 2004
Winners (5): 1975 Spring, 1981 Fall, 1982, 1986 Fall,[7] 1988 Fall[7]
Runners-up (2): 1977, 1989 Spring[7]

Cups

Winners (4): 1996, 2008, 2012, 2013
Runners-up (3): 2001, 2002, 2007
Winners (2): 1993, 2009
Runners-up (2): 1996, 1997s
Runners-up (2): 1977, 1985[7]
Winners (1): 1974
Runners-up (1): 1989[7]

Asian

Winners (3): 1996–97, 1997–98, 2009
Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998
Runners-up (1): 2005

Worldwide

Third place (1): 2009
Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998

Season-by-season records

Season Division Tms. Pos. FA Cup AFC CL
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 Winners
1998 1 10 3 Semi-final Winners
1999 1 10 5 Round of 16 Quarter-final
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 Group stage
2009 1 15 3 Quarter-final Winners
2010 1 15 9 Round of 16 Quarter-final
2011 1 16 3 Semi-final
2012 1 16 3 Winners Group stage
2013 1 14 1 Winners Group stage
2014 1 12 4 Round of 16 Quarter-final
2015 1 12 3 Quarter-final
2016 1 12 9 Round of 32 Group stage
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 TBD
Key
  • Tms. = Number of teams
  • Pos. = Position in league

AFC Champions League record

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 N/A N/A
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[lower-alpha 1] N/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 N/A 1–0 N/A
Quarter-final Zob Ahan 1–1 1–2 2–3
2012 Play-off Chonburi 2–0 N/A N/A
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 3–0 N/A N/A
Group H Guangzhou Evergrande 0–2 0–0 4th
Urawa Red Diamonds 1–0 1–1
Sydney FC 0–1 0–1
2021 Play-off Ratchaburi Mitr Phol N/A N/A
  1. Played at a neutral venue.

Current squad

As of 6 February 2021

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  KOR Hwang In-jae
4 DF  KOR Jeon Min-gwang
5 DF  KOR Ha Chang-rae
11 MF  KOR Lee Gwang-hyeok
12 FW  KOR Song Min-kyu
14 DF  KOR Gwon Wan-gyu
16 MF  KOR Lee Seung-mo
19 DF  KOR Kim Joo-hwan
21 GK  KOR Lee Jun
24 MF  KOR Yang Tae-ryul
25 DF  KOR Woo Min-geol
28 MF  KOR Choi Jae-young
29 FW  KOR Kim Dong-bum
31 GK  KOR Kang Hyeon-mu
41 GK  KOR Cho Sung-hoon
47 DF  KOR Oh Beom-seok
77 FW  COL Manuel Palacios
79 MF  KOR Go Young-joon
88 MF  KOR Kim Kyu-pyo
91 GK  KOR Noh Ji-hoon
No. Pos. Nation Player
99 FW  KOR Lee Ji-yong
DF  AUS Alex Grant
MF  KOR Kwon Ki-pyo
MF  KOR Lee Soo-bin
MF  KOR Kim Jin-hyeon
DF  KOR Lee Gwang-joon
DF  KOR Shin Kwang-hoon
MF  KOR Lim Sang-hyub
FW  KOR Lee Hyun-il
MF  KOR Kim Seong-ju
MF  KOR Yoon Seok-ju
MF  KOR Kim Jun-ho
DF  KOR Kim Ryun-Sung
MF  KOR Noh Gyeong-ho
FW  KOR Lee Ho-jae
FW  KOR Lee Seok-gyu
DF  KOR Choi Do-yoon
DF  KOR Ahn Hae-seong
DF  ANG Samuel Pungi

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
MF  KOR Kim Ji-min (at Jinju Citizen)
FW  KOR Kim Chan (at Chungnam Asan)
FW  KOR Lee Sang-ki (at Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
DF  KOR Sim Sang-min (at Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
DF  KOR Kim Yong-hwan (at Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
FW  KOR Heo Yong-joon (at Sangju Sangmu for military duty)
FW  KOR Ha Seung-un (at FC Anyang)
No. Pos. Nation Player
FW  KOR Choi Min-seo (at FC Anyang)
MF  KOR Oh Jae-hyeok (at Bucheon FC)
FW  KOR Song Seung-min (at Gwangju FC)
DF  KOR Kim Min-kyu (at Gimhae FC)
MF  KOR Yang Tae-ryul (at Gyeongju KH&NP)
FW  KOR Hong Yoon-sang (at VfL Wolfsburg II)

Club official

Coaching staff

  • Manager: Kim Gi-dong
  • 1st Team Coach: Hwang Ji-Soo, Lee Sang-wook
  • Physical Coach: Wanderley Brilhante Junior
  • Goalkeeper Coach: Lee Dae-hee
  • Trainer: Lee In-cheol, Park Joon-young
  • Interpreter: Kong Wan-bae

Youth Club Staff

  • U-18 Manager: Yoon Hee-joon
  • U-18 Coach: Baek Ki-tae
  • U-15 Manager: Kim Dong-young
  • U-15 Coach:
  • U-12 Manager: Kim Sung-jin
  • U-12 Coach: Oh Jin-kwang
  • Goalkeeper Coach: Gjorgji Jovanovski
  • Youth Academy Coach (North): Lee Young-hwan
  • Youth Academy Coach (South): Na Yeong-chae
  • Youth Academy Officer: Shin Joo-hyun

Managers

As of end of season. Only K-League matches are counted.

Manager P W D L % Period Honours
Han Hong-ki 44 16 11 17 036.36 May 2, 1973 – November 29, 1984
Choi Eun-taek 57 20 16 21 035.09 November 29, 1984 – December 16, 1986 1986 K-League
Lee Hoe-taik 206 75 70 61 036.41 December 16, 1986 – December 31, 1992 1988 K-League, 1992 K-League
Kim Soon-Ki
Kim Chul-soo
1989
Cho Yoon-ok 1989
Huh Jung-moo 106 42 40 24 039.62 1993 – November 25, 1995
Kim Soon-Ki 1994
Park Sung-hwa 182 76 47 59 041.76 December 12, 1995 – July 31, 2000 1996 FA Cup, 1996–97 Asian Club Championship, 1997–98 Asian Club Championship
Choi Soon-ho 163 57 47 59 034.97 August 1, 2000 – December 5, 2004
Sérgio Farias 181 83 55 43 045.86 January 6, 2005 – December 20, 2009 2007 K-League, 2008 FA Cup, 2009 AFC Champions League
Waldemar Lemos 11 2 3 6 018.18 January 8, 2010 – May 10, 2010
Park Chang-hyun 21 7 8 6 033.33 May 11, 2010 – November 8, 2010
Hwang Sun-hong 37 21 8 8 056.76 December 13, 2010 – November 29, 2015 2013 K League, 2012 FA Cup, 2013 FA Cup
Choi Jin-cheul 32 10 8 14 031.25 November 29, 2015 – September 25, 2016
Choi Soon-ho 37 21 8 8 056.76 September 26, 2016 –
  • Italics denotes manager was there for interim period

See also

References

  1. "포항스틸러스, AFC 예선 히로시마전 아쉬운 무승부".
  2. 역대 클럽 엠블렘 & 마스코트 변천사. Steelyard.net (in Korean). Retrieved 2020-12-16.
  3. "East to meet West in AFC final". FIFA.com. 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  4. "Pohang book UAE berth". FIFA.com. 2009-11-07. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  5. "Asian champions Pohang go down to Seongnam". the-afc.com (AFC). 2009-11-30. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  6. "Pohang penalty joy". ESPN Soccernet. 2009-12-19. Retrieved 2009-12-21.
  7. 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.
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