Han Seok-jong, who played for the first time this season, led the team’s first victory.
Suwon Samsung won 1-0 victory over Incheon United in the 11th round of ‘Hanawon Q K League 1 2023’ held at Incheon Soccer Stadium at 4:30 pm on the 5th. As a result, Incheon is in 9th place with 3 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses (12 points), while Suwon is in 12th place with 1 win, 2 draws and 8 losses (5 points).
Suwon had the worst run in team history this season. Suwon, who did not win until just before the match against Incheon on this day, lost 0-1 in the match against Daegu just before, and was mired in a 5-game losing streak. After coach Lee Byung-geun left, Acting coach Seong-yong Choi took over the baton from the match against FC Seoul on the 22nd.
The atmosphere in the beginning was led by home team Incheon. In the 14th minute of the first half, Kim Bo-seop entered the middle from the left and hit it with his right foot, but it hit the post and came out. Suwon struggled with the atmosphere of Incheon, and in a situation where they desperately needed a first win, they responded with difficulty in the early stages of the game.
However, it was Suwon who scored the opening goal. In the 30th minute of the first half, from a free kick opportunity from the front of the penalty box, Lee Ki-je split the net with a shot that fell. It was Lee Ki-je’s first goal of the season. After that, the first half continued with a tight game, and Suwon finished with a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Incheon launched an all-out offensive. Incheon raised the line and used Jerso’s quick feet, and Hernandez stepped into the penalty box and aimed for a direct shot. Incheon did not want to be the victim of Suwon’s first victory.
However, Suwon’s earnestness was greater than Incheon’s attack. In the second half, Incheon switched from the back 3 to the back 4 and launched an all-out offensive, using Delbridge as the front striker, but Suwon showed Yang Hyeong-mo’s saving power and the concentration of the defense team. In the end, the game ended with Suwon winning 1-0, and Suwon recorded their first win of the season.
On this day, Suwon saw the effect of a drastic change in midfield. In the previous game against Daegu, Suwon used a 4-2-3-1 formation, using Basani and Lee Jong-seong as central midfielders. Also, recently, Yoo Je-ho was appointed here, and three players were in charge of the central midfielder. However, Acting Choi Seong-yong increased the number of midfielders by using a 4-3-3 formation against Incheon. The tactic of placing Kim Bo-kyung, Han Seok-jong, and Yu Je-ho side by side worked effectively against Incheon.
Among them, Han Seok-jong was Suwon’s ‘unsung hero’. Han Seok-jong, who played 20 games last season and was Suwon’s built-in midfielder, was quite different this season. At the beginning of the season, he was pushed back by Lee Jong-seong, Basani, and Yu Je-ho, and he seldom got a chance to play.
However, Acting Choi Seong-yong boldly selected Han Seok-jong for the game against Incheon that day. And Han Seok-jong contributed greatly to Suwon’s first win with his unique ball possession and coordination skills and positioning. After the game, Han Seok-jong said, “I cried because it was my first win after a long wait. I want to express my gratitude to all the members of the club, and I want to congratulate myself.” 안전놀이터
Han Seok-jong hadn’t been able to establish himself this season until this game. Regarding this, “It seems like it’s been a long time since (I couldn’t play). But I waited until the end. I prepared steadily under Acting Coach Seong-yong Choi, and I had the thought that I wanted to play just once. I wanted to play without regret, but I think it was today’s game against Incheon. I think everything came together well,” he said.
Han Seok-jong played a meaningful match both personally and as a team. This is because the team also won its first win of the season in his first game of the season. However, Han Seok-jong was humble. “I’ve still won one win, but it’s a very difficult situation. Therefore, I think I have to join forces with the new coach and players to overcome the crisis. My personal goal is to harmonize myself well and move in a good direction,” he said. expressed his aspirations. This season for Han Seok-jong, who is now in his 4th year in Suwon, is really starting.