# Pohang Steelers

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. They are one of South Korea's most successful teams, having won the K League five times and the AFC Champions League three times.

## History

The club was founded on 1 April 1973 as Pohang Iron & Steel Company FC, or simply POSCO FC. 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. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 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 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. 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.
Pohang saw further success on the pitch under new manager Hwang Sun-hong with a unique playstyle dubbed 'Steel Taka', winning the 2012 and 2013 editions of the Korean FA Cup, and also the 2013 K League season. However, the club has not won a league title since 2013 as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and later Ulsan rose to dominate the league, and went into an extended trophy drought.
In April 2019, Kim Gi-dong took over as manager. He led Pohang back to the top half of the league, and in 2020, they finished third in the league, qualifying for the AFC Champions League. The club made a strong run in the 2021 AFC Champions League, reaching the final but finishing as runners-up after losing to continental rivals Al Hilal.
In 2023, Pohang celebrated their 50th anniversary by winning the FA Cup, defeating Jeonbuk Hyundai in the final and securing their first FA Cup victory in ten years.
After Kim Gi-dong left for FC Seoul in December 2023, Pohang appointed Park Tae-ha as the new manager. While they started the season well, their form deteriorated and the club finished sixth in the league. However, they won the rebranded Korea Cup, defeating rivals Ulsan HD 3–1 in extra time in the final for a second consecutive cup victory.

## Stadium

Pohang's home is the Pohang Steel Yard, completed in 1990 as South Korea's first football-specific stadium.
The club's players train at the Pohang Steelers Club House, located in the Buk District of the city. It was completed in 2001 at the cost of approximately 8 billion won.

## Club culture
### Supporters

The Steelers have a number of supporters groups, including Levante, Steel Warriors, and Marines. The club enjoys the support of many actual ROK Marines members.
Steelers fans have friendly relations with the supporters of Suwon Samsung Bluewings in a friendship dubbed the Supo Alliance (수포동맹). Suwon's Frente Tricolor supporters group raised money for the city of Pohang in the aftermath of Typhoon Hinnamnor.

### Rivalries

The club's arch-rival is Ulsan HD, in a match dubbed the East Coast Derby. The geographically close cities of Pohang and Ulsan are two of the largest industrial cities in South Korea, with Pohang being home to POSCO, one of the world's largest steelmakers and Ulsan being home to HD Hyundai, the world's largest shipbuilding company. One of the most memorable matches between the two sides was played in the final round of the 2013 K League Classic season. Ulsan were top of the table coming into the final round, and Pohang needed to defeat Ulsan away from home to win the title. Kim Won-il scored the winning goal for Pohang late in injury time for the club's fifth K League title. Pohang also triumphed over Ulsan in the 2024 Korea Cup final to secure their record sixth cup title.
Another rivalry is shared with Jeonnam Dragons, another club owned by POSCO and located in Gwangyang, home to POSCO's largest steelworks that are even larger than the ones in Pohang. The two met in the final of the 2007 Korean FA Cup, with Pohang losing both legs of the tie.

## Kits

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

| 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

    As of 22 February 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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
### Domestic
#### League

* 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, 1988 Fall
** Runners-up (2): 1977, 1989 Spring

#### Cups

* FA Cup
** Winners (6): 1996, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2023, 2024
** 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
* President's Cup
** Winners (1): 1974
** Runners-up (1): 1989

### International
#### Continental

* 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

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

#### Invitational

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

## Season-by-season records
### Domestic record

| 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 |
| 2024 | 1 | 12 | 6 | Winners |

#### Key

* Tms. = Number of teams
* Pos. = Position in league

### Continental record

All results list Pohang's goal tally first.

#### AFC Champions League

| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Agg. |
| 2008 | Group E | Adelaide United | 0–2 | 0–1 | 3rd |
| 2008 | Group E | Becamex Binh Duong | 0–0 | 4–1 | 3rd |
| 2008 | Group E | Changchun Yatai | 2–2 | 0–1 | 3rd |
| 2009 | Group H | Central Coast Mariners | 3–2 | 0–0 | 1st |
| 2009 | Group H | Kawasaki Frontale | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1st |
| 2009 | Group H | Tianjin TEDA | 1–0 | 0–0 | 1st |
| 2009 | Round of 16 | Newcastle Jets | 6–0 | — | — |
| 2009 | Quarter-final | Bunyodkor | 4–1 (a.e.t.) | 1–3 | 5–4 |
| 2009 | Semi-final | Umm-Salal | 2–0 | 2–1 | 4–1 |
| 2009 | Final | Al-Ittihad | 2–1 | 2–1 | — |
| 2010 | Group H | Adelaide United | 0–0 | 0–1 | 2nd |
| 2010 | Group H | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2–1 | 3–4 | 2nd |
| 2010 | Group H | Shandong Luneng | 1–0 | 2–1 | 2nd |
| 2010 | Round of 16 | Kashima Antlers | — | 1–0 | — |
| 2010 | Quarter-final | Zob Ahan | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–3 |
| 2012 | Play-off | Chonburi | 2–0 | — | — |
| 2012 | Group E | Gamba Osaka | 2–0 | 3–0 | 3rd |
| 2012 | Group E | Bunyodkor | 0–2 | 0–1 | 3rd |
| 2012 | Group E | Adelaide United | 1–0 | 0–1 | 3rd |
| 2013 | Group G | Beijing Guoan | 0–0 | 0–2 | 3rd |
| 2013 | Group G | Bunyodkor | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3rd |
| 2013 | Group G | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 1–1 | 1–0 | 3rd |
| 2014 | Group E | Cerezo Osaka | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1st |
| 2014 | Group E | Buriram United | 0–0 | 2–1 | 1st |
| 2014 | Group E | Shandong Luneng | 2–2 | 4–2 | 1st |
| 2014 | Round of 16 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 1–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 |
| 2014 | Quarter-final | FC Seoul | 0–0 | 0–0 (a.e.t.) | 0–0 (0–3 p) |
| 2016 | Play-off | Hanoi FC | 3–0 | — | — |
| 2016 | Group H | Guangzhou Evergrande | 0–2 | 0–0 | 4th |
| 2016 | Group H | Urawa Red Diamonds | 1–0 | 1–1 | 4th |
| 2016 | Group H | Sydney FC | 0–1 | 0–1 | 4th |
| 2021 | Group G | Ratchaburi Mitr Phol | 2–0 | 0–0 | 2nd |
| 2021 | Group G | Nagoya Grampus | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2nd |
| 2021 | Group G | Johor Darul Ta'zim | 4–1 | 2–0 | 2nd |
| 2021 | Round of 16 | Cerezo Osaka | — | 1–0 | — |
| 2021 | Quarter-final | Nagoya Grampus | 3–0 | 3–0 | — |
| 2021 | Semi-final | Ulsan Hyundai | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (5–4 p) | — |
| 2021 | Final | Al-Hilal | — | 0–2 | — |
| 2023–24 | Group J | Hanoi FC | 2–0 | 4–2 | 1st |
| 2023–24 | Group J | Wuhan Three Towns | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1st |
| 2023–24 | Group J | Urawa Red Diamonds | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1st |
| 2023–24 | Round of 16 | Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 |

#### AFC Champions League Elite

| Season | Round | Opposition | Home | Away | Aggregate |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Shanghai Shenhua | — | 1–4 | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Shanghai Port | 3–0 | — | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Buriram United | — | 0–1 | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Shandong Taishan | 4–2 | — | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Yokohama F. Marinos | — | 0–2 | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Vissel Kobe | 3–1 | — | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Kawasaki Frontale | 0–4 | — | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
| 2024–25 | League stage | Johor Darul Ta'zim | — | 2–5 | 9th out of 12 (eliminated) |
* 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Played at a neutral venue.

## Managers

| 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 | 2024 FA Cup |
* Names in italics indicates interim or caretaker manager