“I saw the potential.”
Suwon Samsung coach Lee Byeong-geun said this after a 1-1 draw with Jeonbuk Hyundai in the second round of the Hana One Q 2023 K League 1 held on the 5th. Suwon lost to Gwangju FC (0-1 loss) in the opening game and drew again that day, but it showed a positive side. Although no additional points were scored, Suwon pushed Jeonbuk hard. On this day, Suwon tried 20 shots and 10 effective shots. The finish was disappointing, but the performance itself wasn’t too bad.
Last season, Suwon’s concern was the lack of scoring ability. With Oh Hyun-kyu (Celtic) leaving, the worry at the beginning of this season is scoring ability. Suwon scored 1 goal in 2 games. Ahn Byung-jun is guarding the front line, but he is not showing satisfactory performance. New foreign striker Mulrich missed all two games due to a hamstring injury.
Fortunately, however, the hands and feet are gradually coming together. With the exception of Ahn Byung-jun, Suwon’s attacking team has virtually changed. Ahn Byung-jun also joined the team last summer. Director Lee is organizing the second line with the combination of Kim Bo-kyung, Basani, and Akosti. These three players are playing most of the time, except for U-22 resources such as Kim Joo-chan and Park Hee-jun, who play at the beginning of the first half. Here, another second-line resource, Kim Gyeong-joong, is also a new face. Ko Seung-beom, who plays the role of linking the air and defense, has also been away from the team for 1 year and 6 months due to military service. 안전놀이터
Most of all, the shot attempts themselves increased. Suwon recorded 33 shots and 12 effective shots in the opening two games. Both shots and effective shots are second in the league. Shots in the penalty box are also ranked second with 18. Key passes (20, 2nd place), front passes (306, 3rd place), and offensive passes (161, 3rd place) are also in the top ranks. It should be seen that the number of attacks from the opposing camp has increased.
Just looking at last season’s record, Suwon ranked 11th in shots and 10th in effective shots. It is regrettable that we did not score a ‘point’ in the attack by scoring, but if we look at the development of the attack, it has definitely changed. Director Lee also said, “I feel that the team is getting stronger. It takes time to bring players together. I think we can go to a good team only when these parts are well matched,” he emphasized.