Pohang Steelers, coached by Park Tae-ha, head into the playoffs while finalizing preparations for the upcoming K League season. They finished second in their group, behind Singapore’s Tampines Rovers, and impressed defensively by conceding only two goals in six matches. During the winter break, the squad trained in Bali and strengthened key areas, most notably adding promising midfielder Kim Seung-ho to help refresh the lineup after several departures.
At home, Pohang are known for their physical, hard-working style, focused on limiting space for technically skilled opponents. Park places strong emphasis on fitness and set-pieces, especially with the importance of keeping a clean sheet in the first leg of a two-match tie. Although they have been away from competitive action for some time, the team appears well-conditioned for an intense game, and the passionate Steel Yard crowd traditionally makes life difficult for visiting Japanese sides.
Gamba Osaka were one of the standout teams of the group stage, winning all six matches with an impressive 16:2 goal difference. Under Dani Poyatos, they played dynamic, attacking football built on quick transitions. However, the winter brought a coaching change, with German manager Jens Wissing taking over. How the team adapts to his approach remains to be seen. Unlike Pohang, Gamba are already in full competitive rhythm with the J-League season underway, giving them a potential fitness advantage.
Still, their trip to South Korea is complicated by several absences in the squad. Wissing may take a more conservative approach than his predecessor, focusing on ball control and limiting exposure to counterattacks. Scoring an away goal would be valuable, but breaking down one of the tournament’s most disciplined defenses will be a tough task.