is the league’s 100th super match. With 30,000 spectators expected, which team will win?
FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung will play the 8th round of ‘Hana One Q K League 1 2023’ at 2:00 pm on the 22nd at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Currently, Seoul is in 4th place with 4 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses (13 points), and Suwon is in 12th place with 0 wins, 2 draws and 5 losses (2 points).
Super Match is the representative K-League rival Derby. Over the past time, the hearts of the fans have been hot due to the head-to-head confrontation between the strong teams. However, recently, Seoul and Suwon have been sluggish side by side, and a self-deprecating story of a ‘sad match’ has come out.
Still, a super match was a super match. According to an official from the Seoul club on the morning of the 20th, “more than 20,000 tickets have already been sold. Because there are many reservations for the remaining period and on-site, we can see 30,000 spectators.”
Seoul has averaged 29,253 spectators over the past three matches. Of course, the influence of popular singer Lim Young-woong and his fan club ‘Heroic Age’ was great. But there were other reasons as well.
This season, Seoul marks the third year of coach Ahn Ik-soo. Coach Ahn Ik-soo took office at the end of the 2021 season in shaky Seoul. His sensuous tactics and outstanding performance earned passionate support from fans. The title ‘Immature’ also followed. However, his good ‘game contents’ did not lead to good ‘game performance’. Eventually, it ended up in 9th place in the 2022 season. It was a disappointing result for Seoul, which had national team-level players such as Ki Sung-yong, Na Sang-ho, Yoon Jong-kyu, and Cho Young-wook, as well as promising players such as Kang Seong-jin and Lee Han-beom.
This season has definitely changed. Coach Ahn Ik-soo’s tactics have changed to 4-4-2 and are taking care of the results. In particular, the scoring ability has improved noticeably. He has scored 13 goals in 7 matches so far. It is the third highest figure in the league. Compared to the 6 points scored until the 7th round last season, Seoul is confident.
On the other hand, Suwon’s early season form is the worst. So far, 2 draws and 5 losses, they still have not won. Seven games without a win after the league opening is an unprecedented record in the club’s history. If Seoul scored more, Suwon conceded more. So far, he has scored 13 goals in 7 matches. This is the highest number in the league. Compared to the 8 runs until the 7th round last season, it is painful for Suwon.
Due to the sluggish performance, the club eventually announced a breakup with the team’s legend coach Lee Byung-geun. Therefore, this super match was led by head coach Choi Seong-yong. Acting manager Choi Seong-yong has 12 years of coaching experience, but has no managerial experience. 안전놀이터
In contrast, coach Ahn Ik-soo is the oldest coach in the K-League 1 and is a veteran coach who directed 177 K-League games. Therefore, the burden on Acting Choi is great. Even before his debut, he has to play Suwon’s historical rival Derby and even away matches. Considering the coaches’ careers and recent performances, the atmosphere may already be leaning toward Seoul.
However, Suwon expects the uniqueness of rival Derby. In fact, there were many surprises in Super Match until recently. Last season, Suwon also succeeded in counterattacking against Seoul by bringing out a manager change. In the 2021 season, Suwon was evaluated as superior, but bowed its head with 1 win and 2 losses.
Historically, supermatches have always been fierce and did not turn out as predicted. The tight record of 39 wins, 22 draws and 38 losses (based on Seoul) in the league proves it. Seoul has the upper hand, but cannot be vigilant, and Suwon is inferior, but there is no reason to give up. Suwon dreams of a rebound with fighting spirit, while Seoul abandons complacency and dreams of leaping to second place.