Pohang Steelers

History

Founded as an semi-professional football club, as the Pohang Steelworks Football Club in 1973, the club turned professional from the 1984 season and changed its name to Pohang Steelworks Dolphins. A further name changed occurred for the 1985 season, during which they were called the Pohang Steelworks Atoms. 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. The Steelers defeated Saudi club Al-Ittihad 2–1 at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan to claim the title.

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. 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.

Kit Supplier

1982–87: Adidas

1987–89: Prospecs (changed in October 1987)

1990–92: Adidas

1993–95: Prospecs

1996–01: Adidas

2002: Diadora

2003–05: Puma

2006–12: Kappa

2013–14: Atemi

2015–present: Hummel

Colors

In 1994, Pohang Steelworks 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.

Professional

K League Classic

01 ! Winners (5): 1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 201302 ! Runners-up (4): 1985, 1987, 1995, 2004

Semi-professional

Korean National Semi-Professional Football League

01 ! Winners (5): 1975 Spring, 1981 Fall, 1982, 1986 Fall, 1988 Fall02 ! Runners-up (2): 1977, 1989 Spring

Professional

FA Cup

1 ! Winners (4): 1996, 2008, 2012, 20131 ! Runners-up (3): 2001, 2002, 2007

League Cup

1 ! Winners (2): 1993, 20091 ! Runners-up (2): 1996, 1997s

National Football Championship

1 ! Runners-up (2): 1977, 1985

Semi-professional

President's Cup

1 ! Winners (1): 19741 ! Runners-up (1): 1989

AFC Champions League

1 ! Winners (3): 1996–97, 1997–98, 2009

Asian Super Cup

1 ! Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998

A3 Champions Cup

1 ! Runners-up (1): 2005

Worldwide

FIFA Club World Cup

03 ! Third place (1): 2009

Afro-Asian Club Championship

1 ! Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998

Friendly

Lunar New Year Cup

1 ! Winners (1): 2010

King's Cup

1 ! Runners-up (1): 1987

Doubles

Domestic double

K League and FA Cup Champions (1): 2013

Continental double

Champions League and League Cup Champions (1): 2009

Records

Key

Tms. = Number of teams

Pos. = Position in league

Current squad

As of 15 February 2017

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

Out on loan

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

Club official

Coaching staff

Manager: Choi Soon-ho

Assistant Manager: Kim In-soo

1st Team Coach: Park Jin-seop, Kim Gi-dong

Physical Coach: Irwin

Goalkeeper Coach: Seo Dong-myung

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.