Yahoo Sports Suwon outclass Anyang in Yongin debut
Suwon Bluewings took their time to assert their supremacy over FC Anyang but eventually ran out comfortable 2-1 winners in their first outing at Yongin Mireu Stadium. Goals either side of half-time settled the tie but in truth, it could have been more. This follows the Bluewings' 3-1 destruction of Anyang earlier in the season and raises serious questions about Anyang's title charge.
The visitors started brightly and even saw a header come back off the bar moments before Mulić's decisive second. Their late consolation sparked a frenzied late attack but Suwon held on and deservedly so. Anyang have now dropped three games in the space of a month as the K League 2 championship race looks like heading to the wire.
Whether Suwon join the race remains to be seen. They are still nine points shy of first, and four clubs separate them from the Violets. But the Bluewings are 10 games unbeaten and are seeking out points just as others are dropping some. This was, consequently, Mulić's best performance in months and a return to form would be extremely welcome.
Both teams started this game with a 4-3-3 formation but whether the occasion or new surroundings got to Suwon, was unclear. They were remarkably sloppy in the opening minutes, presenting two clear chances to their table-topping visitors. Matheus, especially, will feel like he could have gotten a shot away when one-on-one. In amongst this clumsy start, the hosts were remarkably ill-disciplined, giving away cheap fouls every minute.
Suwon manager Byun Sung-hwan made several changes to his lineup from the 1-1 draw with Gimpo before the break. The most notable starters were new signings Paulinho and the Romanian forward Sebastian Mailet. Paulinho’s acquisition, in particular, could be a major game-changer for Suwon. Park Ji-min started in goal for only the third time this season and the reserve keeper was forced into an early save when Anyang looked destined to score.
Suwon started the game in 5th, a full 12 points behind their rivals up the Gyeongsu-daero. In April, the Bluewings whipped the floor with Anyang, on their own turf, in front of a sellout crowd. The win momentarily propelled Suwon to the top of the standings. Fejsal Mulić told KLU after the game the team is “like one big happy family.”
Like any family, rumors of infighting began to surface soon after. Reports of senior players going AWOL increased the sense of unease and the team went on an extraordinary losing streak. Long before the dismal 3-1 loss at home to Seoul E-Land which ended Yeom Ki-hun’s reign, the calls for his departure were already loud and clear.
Byun Sung-hwan stepped into the hot seat days before the 1-1 draw with Busan, which stalled a five-game losing streak. At a recent match in Gwangyang, a Jeonnam Dragons representative told me Suwon are the “ones to look out for.” Because of their managerial appointment. Byun had overseen a nine-game unbeaten streak but Suwon have only won three of those. As Lachlan Wales told the podcast, “draws are no good now.”
If Suwon make the playoffs, which they look very capable of, success will be difficult to predict. Traditionally, the K League 2 sides haven’t fared well in the relegation-promotions deciders, and Suwon’s lack of precision in the final third (before Paulinho joined) should be a cause for concern.
Anyang’s stranglehold on top spot had begun to look more brittle by the week after losing two of their last four. But then Jeonnam Dragons, their closest challengers, went to Cheonan City and came back empty-handed. Former Bluewings playmaker, Tungara, scored the late winner to ensure Cheonan City, at the very least, finish with the same number of points as last term.
Suwon’s first shot on target came in the 16th minute when Lee Ki-jae’s powerful free kick from 25 yards dipped straight into Kim Da-sol’s hands. It looked like the beginning of a revival for Suwon but despite playing on the road, Anyang were completely on top. The main threat, unsurprisingly, came from Matheus and the little Brazilian was finding pockets around the Suwon box.
Much like Gimpo the previous night, this was another horrendously hot and humid night at the football stadium. When the referee blew his whistle for the water break on 25 minutes, all 22 players wrapped wet towels around their heads. It is becoming next to impossible to sit through these games in the press box. I’m not sure how the players do it on the field.
Choi Kyu-hyeon picked up the first yellow on 30 minutes after cynically slicing down Lee Si-yong, who was marauding down the right flank. Choi was then incredibly fortunate to avoid a red seven minutes later. Choi slid in recklessly from behind, causing a melee on halfway. The referee took his time before dishing out a warning. Suwon were absolutely furious with the decision, and their manager, Byun, could probably have seen red for his prolonged protests.
In between that, Anyang swapped defender Kim Min-ho for Yago but it mattered little as, on the stroke of half-time, Kim Ji-ho fired Suwon into the lead after brilliant build-up play by Paulinho was almost squandered by Mailet. The game had just resumed when a nasty clash of heads saw the medical teams sprinting on to check the status of Matheus and Hong Won-jin Fortunately, both men were able to continue.
Following five minutes of tense and, at often, niggly play, the referee called time with Suwon holding a goal lead.
10 seconds after the break, Matheus' cross from the right was met by Kim Hoon who crashed his header off the bar. Small margins decide big games. Four minutes later, Fejsal Mulić brought Mireu to its feet with a great volley from 12 yards to put his team two up. It was a superb finish from a man guilty of missing chances like this too often.
With Yang Hyeon-mo, the regular keeper and captain, injured, Suwon made the unusual decision to replace the substitute goalkeeper at halftime. Park had made two big blunders in the opening half so Byun called up Cho Song-hoon at the break. Cho made two good saves and then looked to have picked up an injury on the hour. Luckily for Suwon, he dusted himself off and continued.
Mulić's lasted 73 minutes, working tirelessly in what was arguably his best performance since the opening day. The big Serbian striker was clearing balls at the front post, creating chances for his teammates, and scoring the game's decisive goal. Matheus ran him close for man of the match but Mulić earned the accolade.
Sebastian Mailet can be pleased with his debut, lasting 83 minutes in these conditions. He looked absolutely knackered walking off, and he certainly impressed the locals, with his direct running but he was guilty of not spotting men in better positions at times.
Lee Tae-hee pulled one back in the fifth minute of added-on time, sparking a wild finish that ended with Suwon conceding a corner, but just as it looked like they were on the ropes, the referee blew full time and that was that. Three points, and Jeonnam Dragons up next.
Line ups
Suwon Samsung:
(34) Park Ji-min; (23) Lee Ki-jae, (2) Jang Seok-hwan, (5) Han Ho-gang (c), (27) Lee Si-yong; (14) Hong Won-jin, (11) Paulinho, (63) Lee Jae-uk, (71) Kim Ji-ho, (6) Bae So-jun; (9) Mulić, (70) Sebastian Mailat.
Substitutes: (1) Cho Sung-hoon, (6) Bae Seo-joon, (30) Baek Dong-kyu, (13) Kim Bo-kyung, (22) Kim Sang-jun, (37) Kim Ju-chan, (32) Lee Gyu-dong,
FC Anyang:
(31) Kim Da-sol; (4) Lee Chang-yong (c), (5) Kim Young-chan, (2) Kim Min-ho; (32) Lee Tae-hee; (8) Kim Jung-hyun, (16) Choi Gyu-hyeon, (7) Matheus Oliviera; (18) Lee Dong-hyeon; (22) Kim Dong-jin, (44)Yachida, (19) Kim Woon.
Substitutes: (41) Kim Sung-song, (6) Park Jong-hyeon, (9) Nicolas, (10) Yago, (99) Joo Hyun-woo (94) Han Eui-gwon, (28) Moon Seong-woo
The fans
The atmosphere was fantastic in Mireu but the governing body did not give it the justice it deserved by laying it on a Monday night at 7:30. The official attendance of 8,300 is low but reasonable excuses can be made. This should have taken place in Big Bird on a Saturday night under the lights. It would have attracted a much bigger crowd but then doing the right thing doesn't always happen.
Up next
August is a remarkably tricky month for theBluewings. All four games are against play-offs or title challengers. Jeonnam Dragons are next up in Mireu and they will be glad to see the back of Big Bird after suffering a 5-1 drubbing there earlier this season. The two sides drew in Gwangyang when they last met. If Suwon want to be a genuine title contender, a win is vital.
League-leadingFC Anyang will stay on the road this Sunday, but they have a short trip down the Anyangpangyo-ro to Tancheon Stadium. Seongnam FC are in full-crisis mode with a third of the season to spare but Anyang can take nothing for granted after tripping up in Ansan recently. Every point is vital in this wonderfully unpredictable league.
Best player: Fejsal Mulić
Attendance: 8,370
