Kim Woo-young Gwanggyo Column Unstoppable Momentum! Suwon Football Brothers - Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Suwon FC

On the 28th, our national soccer team suffered a devastating 0-4 loss to Côte d'Ivoire, causing widespread disappointment among the public.

Professor Shin Mun-seon, a former soccer commentator at Myongji University's Graduate School of Record and Information Science, criticized the team on his YouTube channel, saying: "Despite having five or more defensive players, conceding three of the four goals in similar patterns shows insufficient preparation." He lamented, "If we conceded the same way, there should be tactical changes, but there weren't any. This means there's absolutely no tactical flexibility."

He's saying there are problems with Coach Hong Myung-bo's tactics. I agree.

I've wondered what the outcome would have been if Coach Lee Jeong-hyo of the professional soccer team Suwon Samsung Bluewings had led the national team instead of Coach Hong Myung-bo.

Coach Lee Jeong-hyo, who has been at the helm of Suwon Samsung since last December, has achieved an impressive five-game winning streak since the season opener.

The coach is recognized as an excellent tactician. Suwon Samsung has given this coach full authority, and he is implementing 'attacking soccer' based on high-pressure defense, quick passes, diverse attacking patterns, and organizational discipline.

In five matches from the season opener to now, the team has scored nine goals while conceding just one, showing good offensive-defensive balance.

As a result, Suwon has achieved five consecutive victories, maintaining an undefeated start to the season. This is the first time in nine years. If they win their home match against Chungbuk Cheongju on the 5th, they will tie the club's record for most consecutive wins (six wins) set in 2007.

It's truly a 'whirlwind' of momentum. It's the 'Lee Jeong-hyo effect'. This coach's tactical expertise, different from anyone else's, is shining. Additionally, the club's full support and the team's most passionate supporters' cheers form the backdrop of the winning streak. Founded in 1995 and reaching the top of the K League four times, the club became a 'soccer powerhouse,' but suffered the humiliation of finishing last in the 2023 season and was relegated to the second division. However, even after dropping to K League 2, fans' passionate love continued.

You can see how important a coach's role is by observing this coach's player management and tactics. Though it's early in the season, Suwon fans are already dreaming of promotion to the top division.

Suwon FC's start has also been strong.

Overcoming the shock of last year's relegation to the second division, the team is surging again. Most of the coaching staff and starting players have changed.

Suwon FC, under the direction of Coach Park Geon-ha, has achieved four consecutive victories since winning their opening match. Along with Suwon Samsung, they are truly experiencing unstoppable momentum (파죽지세).

Last Sunday (the 29th), I went to Suwon Sports Complex to watch the match between Suwon FC and Paju Frontier FC.

With a senior discount for those 65 and over, I could enter for 1,000 won. I chuckled to myself, thinking, 'Sometimes being old has its perks.'

Today's opponent, Paju Frontier FC, is a newly founded team. However, with two consecutive wins recently, they are not a team to underestimate.

I watched the match with anticipation. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kim Kyung-min earned a penalty kick, and foreign player Willian calmly scored.

However, in the 21st minute, facing a similar situation, a penalty was given up and they conceded. The match returned to square one.

In the 33rd minute, they earned another penalty kick, and Willian scored with confidence. The match ended 2-1, and Suwon FC achieved four consecutive victories. The spectacular attacking soccer with 11 goals in four matches thrilled the spectators.

It was thanks to the talented player management of newly appointed Suwon FC coach Park Geon-ha.

And if this team maintains their form, they can head straight to the top division along with Suwon Samsung.

The head-to-head match between Suwon Samsung and Suwon FC brothers also draws attention. So, which team should I support? I'm already conflicted. Before Suwon FC was founded, I frequently visited Seoul World Cup Stadium to watch Suwon Samsung home games. So I suppose I'm a Suwon Samsung fan, but now I also catch Suwon FC matches whenever I can.

Though I've never been to the stadium in person, I also watch match highlights of Hwaseong FC, the soccer team from Hwaseong, my hometown during childhood.

Oh, and it's not just soccer—KT Wiz, the professional baseball team based in Suwon, is also on a winning streak. In away games in the 2026 KBO League regular season at Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 28th and 29th, they defeated 'defending champion' LG Twins consecutively. Building on the momentum of two opening wins, I hope they will reach the championship title this year.

With successive victories from the affiliated professional soccer and baseball teams, Suwon's spring day grows even brighter.