“It’s not the team that’s in K League 2 originally.”
The match between Suwon Samsung and Jeonnam Dragons kicked off at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Mir Stadium in Yongin, in the 27th round of Hana Bank’s K League 2 (minor league) 2024. 9,263 spectators attended the stadium. The result of the match was 2-1 and Suwon Samsung won. Suwon Samsung got the first goal from Mylat in the fifth minute of the first half and lost it to Hanam in the 20th minute of the second half. However, Kim Ji-ho scored another goal at the 24th minute of the second half to maintain the lead. With this result, Suwon Samsung jumped to the third place in the K League.
One of the “key men” in the match against South Jeolla Province was Hong Won-jin. In the second half, Hong maintained variability in Suwon Samsung’s formation, exchanging between midfielder and center back. When Suwon Samsung owned the ball, it was a midfielder in front of the back four, and when it defended, it went to the right of the center backs and formed the back five of the team. It could have been complicated because it had to move differently depending on the situation, but he faithfully fulfilled his coaching staff’s mission.
After the match, Hong stood in front of reporters in the mixed zone. “We planned to form a back three with existing center backs if we give a signal outside. Suwon Samsung doesn’t usually use back three,” Hong said. “Coach Byun Sung-hwan told us to check out the player because it would be a threat if Valdivia comes in. We followed his orders.”
Manager Byun Sung-hwan also said that he felt uncomfortable because he did not win the game in the way he wanted. Hong Won-jin responded, “Coach Lee is not a person who usually plays games because he is sagging. But he said he could use back three while preparing for the match against South Jeolla Province. Winning consecutively was important to us. As we played against higher ranking teams, we needed to win. When talking with us, the coach said, “I will give up mine and do it to win. I think that’s how the position change happened,” adding, “Suwon Samsung focused on winning the match against South Jeolla Province rather than performance.” 안전놀이터
Currently, Suwon Samsung is at the top of the list. It is six points shorter than No. 1 FC Anyang. At one point, the team seemed to be losing ground, but now it can look upward again. Hong Won-jin said, “I am so grateful that I am undefeated after moving to the team. All my teammates share the same view. Suwon Samsung is not a team that is originally in the K League 2. No matter how many teams they rank, it doesn’t really matter. It’s all about getting promoted at the end. I just think about going back to where I am.”
Finally, Hong said, “I’m a greedy person. I want to be a member of the national team and play in foreign countries. So I don’t get complacent. I will grow up while learning good soccer. I will try harder.”