Pohang Steelers

South Korean football club

For other uses, see Steelers (disambiguation).

Football club

Pohang Steelers

Full name| Football Club Pohang Steelers
포항 스틸러스 프로축구단
Founded| 1 April 1973; 50 years ago (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| Club website

Home colours

Away colours

|

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]

## History[edit]

The 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[edit]

This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

|

In 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.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  KOR | Yoon Pyeong-gook
2  | DF |  KOR | Eo Jeong-won
3  | DF |  KOR | Lee Dong-hee
4  | DF |  KOR | Jeon Min-gwang
5  | DF |  AUS | Jonathan Aspropotamitis
6  | MF |  KOR | Kim Jong-woo
7  | FW |  KOR | Kim In-sung
8  | MF |  BRA | Oberdan
9  | FW |  BRA | Jorge Luiz
10  | FW |  KOR | Baek Sung-dong
11  | MF |  KOR | Jo Seong-joon
12  | DF |  KOR | Kim Ryun-seong
13  | MF |  KOR | Yun Suk-ju
14  | FW |  KOR | Heo Yong-joon (vice-captain)
15  | MF |  KOR | Lee Kyu-min
16  | MF |  KOR | Han Chan-hee (vice-captain)
17  | MF |  KOR | Shin Kwang-hoon
18  | FW |  KOR | Kang Hyeon-je
19  | MF |  KOR | Yun Min-ho
20  | DF |  KOR | Park Chan-yong
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

21  | GK |  KOR | Hwang In-jae
22  | MF |  KOR | Kim Gyu-hyeong
23  | MF |  KOR | Lee Dong-hyeop
27  | FW |  KOR | Jeong Jae-hee
28  | MF |  KOR | Kim Jung-hyun
29  | FW |  KOR | Park Hyeong-woo
30  | FW |  KOR | Yoon Jae-woon
32  | GK |  KOR | Lee Seung-hwan
33  | FW |  KOR | Lee Ho-jae
34  | DF |  KOR | Lee Gyu-baeg
37  | MF |  KOR | Hong Yun-sang
41  | GK |  KOR | Kang Seong-hyeok
55  | DF |  KOR | Choi Hyeon-woong
66  | MF |  KOR | Kim Jun-ho
70  | MF |  KOR | Hwang Seo-woong
77  | FW |  BRA | Wanderson (captain)
88  | MF |  KOR | Kim Dong-jin
89  | FW |  KOR | Kim Myung-jun
90  | MF |  KOR | Kim Dong-min

### Out on loan[edit]

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

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | GK |  KOR | Kang Hyeon-mu (to Gimcheon Sangmu for military service)
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

-- | MF |  KOR | Cho Jae-hoon (to Jeonnam Dragons)

## Honours[edit]

Pohang Steelers celebrating their third AFC Champions League title in 2009.

### Domestic[edit]

#### League[edit]

* K League 1
* Winners (5): 1986, 1988, 1992, 2007, 2013
* Runners-up (5): 1985, 1987, 1995, 2004, 2023
* Korean National Semi-Professional Football League
* Winners (5): 1975 Spring, 1981 Fall, 1982, 1986 Fall,[14] 1988 Fall[14]
* Runners-up (2): 1977, 1989 Spring[14]

#### Cups[edit]

* FA Cup
* Winners (5): 1996, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2023
* Runners-up (3): 2001, 2002, 2007
* League Cup
* Winners (2): 1993, 2009
* Runners-up (2): 1996, 1997s
* National Football Championship
* Runners-up (2): 1977, 1985[14]
* President's Cup
* Winners (1): 1974
* Runners-up (1): 1989[14]

### International[edit]

#### Continental[edit]

* AFC Champions League
* Winners (3): 1996–97, 1997–98, 2009
* Runners-up (1): 2021
* Asian Super Cup
* Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998
* A3 Champions Cup
* Runners-up (1): 2005

#### Worldwide[edit]

* FIFA Club World Cup
* Third place (1): 2009
* Afro-Asian Club Championship
* Runners-up (2): 1997, 1998

#### Invitational[edit]

* DCM Trophy[15]
* Winners (1): 1988[16]
* Runners-up (1): 1989
* King's Cup
* Runners-up (1): 1987

## Season-by-season records[edit]

### Domestic 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

### AFC Champions League record[edit]

All results list Pohang's goal tally first.

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

1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Played at a neutral venue.

## 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[edit]

* List of football clubs in South Korea

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Pohang Steelers: 50 Years of Footballing Heritage". the-afc.com. 1 April 2023. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
2. ^ "포항스틸러스, AFC 예선 히로시마전 아쉬운 무승부". nocutnews.co.kr. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
3. ^ "South Korea – Foundation Dates of Clubs". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 26 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
4. ^ 역대 클럽 엠블렘 & 마스코트 변천사. Steelyard.net (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2 December 2021. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
5. ^ "Asian Champions' Cup". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
6. ^ "South Korea 2004". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 12 October 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
7. ^ "South Korea 2007". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
8. ^ "South Korea 2008". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 3 September 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
9. ^ "East to meet West in AFC final". FIFA.com. 28 October 2009. Archived from the original on 31 October 2009. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
10. ^ "Pohang book UAE berth". FIFA.com. 7 November 2009. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
11. ^ "Asian champions Pohang go down to Seongnam". the-afc.com (AFC). 30 November 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
12. ^ "Pohang penalty joy". ESPN Soccernet. 19 December 2009. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
13. ^ "STEELERS PLAYER – ALL" (in Korean). Pohang Steelers. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
14. ^ 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.
15. ^ "India – D.C.M. Trophy". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 13 October 2018. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
16. ^ 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[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Pohang Steelers.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Pohang Steelers

* Founded in 1973
* Based in Pohang, Gyeongbuk

The club|

* History
* Players
* Managers
* Asia

Home stadium|

* Daegu Civic Stadium (1987)
* Pohang Stadium (1987–1990, 2013)
* Gwangyang Football Stadium (1993–1994)
* Pohang Steel Yard (1990–present)

Rivalries|

* Donghaean derby

Honours

K League 1|

* 1986
* 1988
* 1992
* 2007
* 2013

FA Cup|

* 1996
* 2008
* 2012
* 2013
* 2023

League Cup|

* 1993
* 2009

President's Cup|

* 1974

AFC Champions League|

* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 2009

Lunar New Year Cup|

* 2010

Seasons

* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2020

Website: www.steelers.co.kr

* v
* t
* e

K League

Divisions|

* K League 1
* K League 2

Clubs (2024)|

| K League 1|

* Daegu FC
* Daejeon Hana Citizen
* Gangwon FC
* Gimcheon Sangmu
* Gwangju FC
* Incheon United
* Jeju United
* Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
* Pohang Steelers
* FC Seoul
* Suwon FC
* Ulsan HD

|

K League 2|

* Ansan Greeners
* FC Anyang
* Bucheon FC 1995
* Busan IPark
* Cheonan City
* Chungbuk Cheongju
* Chungnam Asan
* Gimpo FC
* Gyeongnam FC
* Jeonnam Dragons
* Seongnam FC
* Seoul E-Land
* Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Former|

* Asan Mugunghwa
* Chonbuk Buffalo
* Chungju Hummel
* Kookmin Bank
* Goyang Zaicro
* Hallelujah FC
* Hanil Bank

Associated competitions|

* All-Star Game
* R League
* Championship playoffs
* League Cup
* Super Cup

Awards|

* Most Valuable Player
* Top goalscorer
* Top assist provider
* Young Player of the Year
* Best XI
* FANtastic Player
* Manager of the Year

Other articles|

* Records and statistics
* Champions
* Foreign players
* K League 1
* 2
* Decentralization policy
* AFC Champions League

* Players
* K League 1
* 2
* Clubs
* K League 1
* 2
* Seasons

* v
* t
* e

Asian Club Championship and AFC Champions League winners

Asian Club Championship era, 1967–2002

1960s|

* 1967: Hapoel Tel Aviv
* 1969: Maccabi Tel Aviv

1970s|

* 1970: Taj
* 1971: Maccabi Tel Aviv

1980s|

* 1985–86: Daewoo Royals
* 1986: Furukawa Electric
* 1987: Yomiuri
* 1988–89: Al-Sadd
* 1989–90: Liaoning

1990s|

* 1990–91: Esteghlal
* 1991: Al-Hilal
* 1992–93: PAS Tehran
* 1993–94: Thai Farmers Bank
* 1994–95: Thai Farmers Bank
* 1995: Ilhwa Chunma
* 1996–97: Pohang Steelers
* 1997–98: Pohang Steelers
* 1998–99: Júbilo Iwata
* 1999–2000: Al-Hilal

2000s|

* 2000–01: Suwon Samsung Bluewings
* 2001–02: Suwon Samsung Bluewings

AFC Champions League era, 2002–present

2000s|

* 2002–03: Al-Ain
* 2004: Al-Ittihad
* 2005: Al-Ittihad
* 2006: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
* 2007: Urawa Red Diamonds
* 2008: Gamba Osaka
* 2009: Pohang Steelers

2010s|

* 2010: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
* 2011: Al-Sadd
* 2012: Ulsan Hyundai
* 2013: Guangzhou Evergrande
* 2014: Western Sydney Wanderers
* 2015: Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao
* 2016: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
* 2017: Urawa Red Diamonds
* 2018: Kashima Antlers
* 2019: Al-Hilal

2020s|

* 2020: Ulsan Hyundai
* 2021: Al-Hilal
* 2022: Urawa Red Diamonds

* v
* t
* e

K League 1 champions

9 titles|

* Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
* 2009
* 2011
* 2014
* 2015
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021

7 titles|

* Seongnam FC
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2006

6 titles|

* FC Seoul
* 1985
* 1990
* 2000
* 2010
* 2012
* 2016

5 titles|

* Pohang Steelers
* 1985
* 1988
* 1992
* 2007
* 2013

4 titles|

* Busan IPark
* 1984
* 1987
* 1991
* 1997

* Ulsan HD
* 1996
* 2005
* 2022
* 2023

* Suwon Samsung Bluewings
* 1998
* 1999
* 2004
* 2008

1 title|

* Hallelujah FC
* 1983

* Jeju United
* 1989

* v
* t
* e

AFC Club of the Year

* 2000: Al-Hilal
* 2001: Suwon Samsung Bluewings
* 2002: Pakhtakor Tashkent
* 2003: Al-Ain
* 2004: Al-Ittihad
* 2005: Al-Ittihad
* 2006: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
* 2007: Urawa Red Diamonds
* 2008: Gamba Osaka
* 2009: Pohang Steelers
* 2010: Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
* 2011: Al-Sadd
* 2012: Ulsan Hyundai
* 2013: Guangzhou Evergrande
* 2014: Western Sydney Wanderers
* 2015: Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template