K League 1 Preview: Suwon FC Strong at Home, Gwangju FC Short on Defenders

On June 25th at 6:30 PM, K League 1 Round 19 sees Suwon FC host Gwangju FC at Suwon Sports Complex.

Suwon FC suffered a 0-3 defeat to capital city side FC Seoul in their last K League 1 match. The team failed to register a shot on target from their 10 attempts, with strikers Oliveira and Lee Seung-woo unable to create any danger despite playing the full 90 minutes. The defensive partnership of Jackson and Kwon Kyung-won also had an off day, unable to contain the opposition’s attack. However, Suwon’s new signing, former international Son Jun-ho, made his debut as a substitute and showed promise, providing several chances for the forwards. Son expressed his excitement about returning, saying, “My family wanted to see this day, and I’m sure I can contribute something to Suwon.”

Sitting at 5th place in the K League 1 standings with 8 wins, 3 draws, and 7 losses, Suwon FC initially had title aspirations due to their solid defense. However, recent away defeats have dampened their spirits, prompting coach Kim Eun-jong to reflect on their form. Despite this, Suwon has a commendable home record of 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses. They have defeated Pohang Steelers, Daejeon Hana Citizen, and Incheon United in their last three home league fixtures.

Suwon FC will be without winger Lee Kwang-hak for this match, but otherwise, the team is injury-free. Manager Kim Eun-jong hinted that Son Jun-ho could start, potentially replacing Lee Jae-yoon in midfield.

Visiting Gwangju FC lost 1-2 to relegation battlers Daejeon Hana Citizen in their previous match. Despite taking the lead through Georgian striker Mikheil Kvachadze, they conceded late due to defensive errors, especially from forward-turned-central defender Oh Il. Coach Lee Jeong-hyo acknowledged the disappointing finishing and vowed to improve the team’s attacking prowess.

Gwangju FC is currently 6th in the league with 7 wins, 1 draw, and 10 losses, having the fewest draws in the competition. Their away record stands at 2 wins, 1 draw, and 5 losses, with a lackluster attacking display. The club’s recent transfer ban due to financial irregularities complicates matters further, forcing them to rely on internal resources. To secure their survival, Gwangju will need to work extra hard.

Gwangju will miss their foreign forward Asani due to the European Championship, though he had limited playing time this season due to fitness issues. Additionally, key central defenders Lee Min-ki and Bae Jun-su are injured, likely forcing veteran Jin Gyeong-in and the makeshift defender Oh Il to partner in central defense.

In their previous 20 encounters, Gwangju holds a psychological advantage with 13 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses. Both teams face back-to-back matches within 72 hours, and fatigue could play a role. Can Suwon FC overcome their historical disadvantage and secure a victory at home, or will Gwangju continue their dominance?

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