"The biggest thing is to represent Ulsan" - Gustav Ludwigson on the Club World Cup | OneFootball

Ulsan HD fly out to the US on June 6th to begin their preparations for the FIFA Club World Cup. Before boarding his flight, K League United caught up with Ulsan's Swedish winger Gustav Ludwigson to get his thoughts on a tournament he describes as "the biggest thing I will have ever played in."

When Gianni Infantino first dreamed of an expanded FIFA World Club Cup to rival the UEFA Champions League, few would have imagined the FIFA president's audacious plan would ever see the light of day. But in modern FIFA, almost anything is possible. So here we are, on the eve of the mega tournament, as 32 teams from all six confederations prepare to fly out to the US in the coming days.

Ulsan HD will be one of the 32. The K League champions are not AFC Champions. Instead, the Tigers have qualified due to continued continental excellence, taking advantage of Infantino's yearning for his brainchild to be the biggest and most outrageous. He added more teams. A lot more. Ulsan are the best eligible AFC team in a four-year cycle, joining recent winners Al-Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds, and Al Ain from Asia.

Naturally, Ulsan don't care how they got there. They've pocketed nearly $10 million just for qualifying. Every point earned guarantees millions more. Progress from the group will see Ulsan bank $20 million, and lifting the trophy on July 13th will make the club $100 million richer. Even if that is an unrealistic goal, Ulsan have every right to their place and should enjoy the support of most of the K League community next week.

It was said over winter that Ulsan's players were reluctant to leave Munsu for fear of missing out. A first team regular was potentially putting himself in the shop window for some of the biggest clubs around the world, on the biggest stage imaginable. Even for squad players, the opportunity to be part of a glorious festival of football was too much to turn down. The theory was sitting on Ulsan's bench for the first six months of the year was more beneficial than joining a club down the division, even if they want you.

For 31-year-old winger Gustav Ludwigson, this is the chance of a lifetime. The Swede joined Ulsan immediately after the club ended a near-20 year wait for a K League title. Ludwigson has been an integral part of the squad for over two seasons now, helping to ensure the trophy stayed in Munsu. But on the eve of boarding the plane to Charlotte, North Carolina, where the club will be based during their time in USA, the winger believes this is the pinnacle of his career.

"Well, of course, it is the biggest thing I will have played in. Even when I played in the Asian Champions League here, that was a big deal but this is the next level from there. It is a great achievement. We know there's a debate if some clubs will take it seriously but I think now that it's coming like closer and closer you can see, like the even the bigger teams are talking about it as well. It is certainly a great experience for us."

Ulsan's busy start to K League 1 has limited the amount of preparation the players and coaches have been able to put into the Club World Cup. Saturday night's top-of-the-table fixture at a sold out Jeonju Castle was their 19th of the season. However, it was their final league game until Daegu visit Munsu on July 12th. Ludwigson admitted they "have done nothing special yet, to keep our focus on the next league game, but after Jeonbuk we started to focus on the start of the World Cup."

Ulsan will take part in a camp in North Carolina before heading down to Miami to face South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Wednesday, June 18. Just like Ulsan, the Sundowns haven't qualified as continental champions, but rather as a reward for successive seasons of excellence. The Pretoria-based club have absolutely dominated South African football, winning the last eight Premiership titles, and ten in 12 seasons.

Recently, the Sundowns played (and lost) in the CAF Champions League Final against Pyramids. Ludwigson kept an eye on that tie. "It was really good for our scouting department and for us to be able to watch their players. People who know about African football say they (Sundowns) are like one of the really flesh teams there. Now our manager and scouting department can do the research and provide the players to look out for as it comes closer."

One player Ludwigson is aware of in the South Africans' squad is 24-year-old Tashreeq Matthews. The midfielder came through the ranks at Borussia Dortmund (one of the group stage opponents) but spent almost five seasons in Sweden. "I know all his quality. He's a good player."

Unlike Ulsan, however, Sundowns' season is over, having wrapped up last month. The same applies for another of Ulsan's pool rivals, the German giants Borussia Dortmund. Ludwigson sees this as a potential advantage. "It will be easier for us to find the shape. Our team is pretty much set. Some teams will be in pre season and maybe they will be changing players. We have a good situation." Ulsan should be fresher and fitter, as this competition comes at the midpoint of their season. Their group rivals will be carrying some tired legs.

The fixture with Dortmund (the final group match) is the stand out tie for the K League champions. Ludwigson is excited, but is guarding himself just in case injury or selection prevents his participation.

"Yeah, I don't want to think about it too much because, as you say then something happens or you're not selected or whatever it's going to break your heart. But in my mind, that's like a massive game and a great experience so to just be able to experience that kind of game...super fun. I just hope we can go into that game with a good result in the bag. Hopefully we have something to play for in that game. There are some really big teams in the tournament and Borussia sure is one of them, so it's it's really cool."

The Dortmund match is on June 25th in Cincinnati. Sandwiched between the Sundowns and Dortmund ties is a showdown with Brazilian powerhouse Fluminense in MetLife Stadium on June 21st. The New Jersey venue will host the FIFA World Cup Final next year. Ulsan know qualification from the group will be extremely difficult, but not impossible. For Ludwigson, progression is the goal but he believes there's more resting on their shoulders than just qualification for the knock out stages.

"We want to try to qualify but the biggest thing is to represent Ulsan, firstly, but then Korea on the biggest stage. You can do that in different ways; one way is to qualify, but it's also to make really good performances. Show off Korean football and all the good players we have. And what Ulsan can do as a team. There are many components that we think are important. If you are too much result focused, it can harm your performances. It is important to find the balance but it is also a great experience for all our players, for the club. If we go there with too much pressure, it won't be good for anyone. We want to qualify, but all the teams want that."

The CEOs of all 26 professional clubs in Korea will form part of a massive KFA and K League entourage on board Bandwagon Ulsan. Ludwigson was unaware of this, but delighted nonetheless. For the former Hammarby man, feeling the support of the country would be really helpful. Not only are Ulsan flying the flag, but if the competition is a success, other clubs can follow in their footsteps.

"If the federation and the CEOs in the big picture can support Ulsan because there's a Korean team there and maybe again in the future, they can all work hard for this. If it is a nice experience then Korean teams should work hard to put themselves in the position, then they can qualify for it. It can be a carrot for Korean teams and that's really important. And that's why I think all the support we can get is so fun because we are there to represent Korea in this tournament. It is an honor in that sense."

Ulsan's US send off comes after a disappointing defeat in Jeonju. They took the lead after 10 minutes, and looked to be leaving with a well earned point, but Gus Poyet's men struck twice late on to seal a 3-1 win. The setback means Ulsan sit 3rd, six points back from Jeonbuk, who have matches in hand. Retaining their K League title from here will be a monumental task but Ulsan's sights have changed. The experience of a lifetime is their reward for years of hard work. Win, lose, or draw, they should have the support of the Korean football community behind them. No pressure, lads!