Svensson goal sinks Ulsan HD as Dortmund take top spot in Group F
In the sweltering 33 degrees Cincinnati heat, a Borussia Dortmund side desperately lacking their usual clinical edge did enough to outmuscle Ulsan HD. Daniel Svensson's goal ultimately proved to be the difference against their Korean opponents as victory ensured top spot in Group F.
Dortmund made a lively start to proceedings in the TQL Stadium as they came close to an opening goal inside 2 minutes. Karim Adeyemi released Daniel Svensson down the left to cross into the box, however Serhou Guirassy lacked the necessary accuracy required to sweep home with his left foot.
Further chances fell to the the Guinean striker before a long-range shot from Julian Ryerson fizzed past the post in the 16th-minute. Opportunities were coming thick and fast as Guirassy played a neat one-two with Jobe Bellingham but couldn't get the better of Hyeon-Woo Jo who smothered the effort.
The Ulsan HD shot-stopper pulled off another spectacular save to deny Guirassy, while Bellingham's exemplary technique almost guided a back-post volley into the top left corner. Eventually, the breakthrough came as Jobe fed Svensson who stabbed home from a handful of yards on 36 minutes. Another Jo save prevented Groß from a second before the break.
Gregor Kobel was eventually tested directly after the interval as Sang-Woo Kang stung the Swiss international's palms from the edge of the box. Shortly after Rami Bensebaini glanced wide from a set-piece cross, Niko Kovač introduced Maxi Beier, Julien Duranville and Julian Brandt as Adeyemi, Nmecha and Jobe took a well earned rest.
BVB's 19-year-old Belgian made an explosive start to force Jo into a sharp parry at his near post. His presence was felt again in the 71st-minute as Beier put him into space but ultimately couldn't get the better of the Korean goalkeeper. It wasn't long until a weary looking Guirassy and Pascal Groß were hooked for Carney Chukwuemeka and Gio Reyna.
Die Schwarzgelben just couldn't seem to put the K-League side away as the game wore on in a sun-soaked Ohio. Duranville dug out a cross for Yan Couto whose bobbling effort pushed Jo into a full stretch save. Four minutes of additional time allowed for Anton and Chukwuemeka to go close but that's how it ended in the colloquially named ‘Cincy’.
