adminThe Pohang Steelers defeated Suwon FC at home to stay within striking distance of third-place FC Seoul. Despite a number of injuries, the Steelers took three points with a newly restructured squad.
Pohang won 3-1 at home against Suwon FC in the 20th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at Pohang Steel Yard on February 2. Second-place Pohang, with 37 points (10 wins, 7 draws, 3 losses), moved four points clear of third-place Seoul (33 points, 9 wins, 6 draws, 5 losses). Suwon FC remained in 10th place (19-5 W, 4 D, 11 L).
Both Pohang and Suwon have had their share of problems recently. In addition to existing injured players Kim Jong-woo, Shim Sang-min, Jung Jae-hee, Shin Kwang-hoon, and Ko Young-joon, Pohang also lost Baek Sung-dong to a back injury during team training. The aftermath of the FA Cup quarterfinals in midweek also put a lot of pressure on the veterans. The team was forced to use Yoon Min-ho, Cho Jae-hoon, Lee Ho-jae, and Kim Jun-ho in the attacking lineup. Suwon FC was also slow to pick up points due to poor performances from its U-22 resources and defensive fears.
However, it was Pohang who had more leeway despite the difficulties. It wasn’t just because of their ranking. There was a small difference in faith in Young Gun, who played in place of the veterans.
Before the game, Pohang coach Kim Ki-dong said, “The way Young Guns played in the practice game was better than the veterans,” adding, “Until now, I only told them to play hard, but today I told them to show more than that.” Kim Do-gyun, head coach of Suwon FC, said, “The players’ crisis management skills were not as good as last season. Even if there are many injuries, Pohang is Pohang, so I’m worried.”
Kim’s words were not empty. While Suwon FC took off U-22 resources Jung Jae-yoon and Kim Ye-sung in the first six minutes of the match to bring on Lee Seung-woo and Oh In-pyo, Pohang continued to put their faith in the young guns. Eventually, in the 41st minute, Yoon Min-ho assisted Grant’s (Australia) third goal of the season from a corner kick. It was Yoon Min-ho’s first offensive point in the K League.온라인카지노
The second half belonged to the veterans. Pohang brought on Zeca (Brazil) and Kim Seung-dae in place of Yoon Min-ho and Cho Jae-hoon as Suwon FC increased their attacking numbers at halftime by swapping Kim Sun-min and Kim Hyun. With Suwon FC taking out a specialized defensive midfielder, Pohang dominated the midfield, and Zeca scored his fourth goal of the season in the 13th minute of the second half. In the 42nd minute, Suwon FC Lars (South Africa) scored his eighth goal of the season, but Han Chan-hee’s second goal of the season in stoppage time gave the home crowd of 5441 the victory.