Just A Few Things FC Seoul Vs. Suwon Samsung Bluewings

Credit: Sports Chosun

Welcome To The Big Leagues

Ex-Bluewings utility player Park Kun-ha, who only has little managerial experience, was thrust into a big match immediately with the Super Match as his first game in charge of the Bluewings as he tries to steer the team away from the relegation zone. The match graphic showed Kun-ha went for a 3-4-3 formation, but in out of possession, the Bluewings fell back to a 5-4-1 formation with a standard defensive line.

There were a few times that the defensive line got broken through thanks to Seoul’s attackers making the runs. It was how Seoul got their opener when Cho Young-wook made a run down by the right half-space to cut it back that led to Jo Sung-jin inadvertently poking the ball into his own net (Though if he wasn’t there, Yu Jun-tae who was behind him would’ve finished the job anyway). Even so, Suwon did show some defensive discipline by sticking to their shape and looked content to attack on the counter as Suwon made 18 tackles, 20 clearances and eight interceptions. Some key stats include Min Sang-gi winning all his aerial duels while substitute Lee Sang-min made six clearances and 3 tackles. However, Park Kun-ha has to contend with a defeat in his first match in-charge and one of those reasons can be down to...

Super Bluntness

Suwon’s quality in attack leaves much to be desired. While Seoul dominated possession, Suwon actually looked the better side as according to SofaScore, they had 11 shots (Three on-target) to Seoul’s six (Two on-target). Suwon even had seven of those 11 shots inside Seoul’s box while Seoul had none (Yes, none) inside Suwon’s box. This showed even further when 31% of play was in Seoul’s final third compared to 22% in Suwon’s own final third.

Right-wing Kim Tae-hwan was the most active in these Suwon attacks as he had five shots (two on-target), won all two of his dribble attempts, won 67% of his ground duels (8/12), had one key pass and got fouled five times where one of them was when he won the penalty that lead to Suwon’s equalizer. If there was going to be any outlet for Suwon to attack, it’s from Kim Tae-hwan. But Suwon has a higher concentrated play down on the left rather than on Tae-hwan’s right.

It appears Suwon did well defensively, but ultimately it was the lacklustre quality attack, especially their approach, that let them down in the end. 

Like A Pendulum

Suwon actually started strong in the first five minutes, only to find themselves behind perhaps against the run of play when that unfortunate own goal happened on seven minutes. Since then, it was Seoul who controlled the game and looked like the more likely team to score. Then on 19 minutes, Suwon won a penalty after Kim Tae-hwan was fouled by Jung Han-min just inside the box. After Yeom Ki-hun coolly slotted in the resulting penalty, the balance was restored in momentum with Suwon gaining some control and finishing the first half strong.

Then, Seoul introduced Ki Sung-yueng (Who strangely didn’t start) and Park Chu-young at half-time and they started off the 2nd half brightly with slightly more intensity. Eventually, Suwon’s momentum slowly fizzled out as time went on as despite the numbers in attack being in favor of them, they never troubled Seoul enough as the home side was content in keeping possession.

A Spaniard’s Return

One notable news when the team sheets are out was the return of Seoul's Spanish defensive midfielder Osmar, who was out injured for some time. Osmar immediately went into the starting line-up replacing Kim Won-sik and the Spaniard didn’t put a foot wrong. He made five clearances, three tackles and had an 88% passing accuracy with an 83% long ball accuracy. His heat map showed that he was heavily involved in the middle of the park as he tried to ‘destroy’ whatever Suwon has to offer going forward. The Spaniard’s return will likely be the key to Seoul’s late run-in into the top six and outside chance of Champions League football after narrowing the gap to fifth-placed Daegu FC to just three points.

Magic Han-s

Saving the best for last here. Considering where the two teams are, it probably shouldn’t be a surprise how the match went as it failed to replicate that entertaining 3-3 draw back at Suwon. This match itself was a very cagey affair and it became more cagey in the 2nd half. This match was crying out for something special. Then, enter Han Seung-gyu who provided it just on the hour mark.

There was some good work by left-back Ko Kwang-min to carry the ball by the half-space before he passed it to Seung-gyu. Then, Seung-gyu forced his way into position just by the edge of the box and the next thing everyone knows, he launched a wicked strike out of nothing that looped over the Suwon keeper, Yang Hyung-mo and into the far post.

Ultimately, it was the attacking midfielder who became the difference in this match like he usually does. Seoul at least has someone to count upon to create magical moments like these. It’s imperative for Seoul to do whatever they can to sign him permanently from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. If only the Bluewings have someone similar in their ranks who can pull off something like this...