Suwon FC has kept the relegation battle alive until the last day with a close win in Anyang, coupled with Ulsan’s loss in Gwangju.
FC Anyang 0
Suwon FC 1 (Lee Jae-won 19′)
Key Details
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Lee Chang-yong, captain of Anyang, made his 300th appearance in the K League.
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Best XI nominees Lee, Thomas Oude Kotte, and Bruno Mota were all in the starting lineup for Anyang.
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Lee Jae-won’s shot, which was deflected, turned out to be the decisive goal of the match.
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Suwon remains in the relegation zone with just one match left to play.
Suwon celebrates the solitary goal that secured their victory.
Suwon FC is fighting hard for their future after this crucial victory in Bisan on Saturday night. A loss would have sealed their place in the K League Relegation Play-offs against a K League 2 team, but they deservedly triumphed here with Lee Jae-won’s deflected shot making the difference.
As Anyang made offensive substitutions to finalize their home season on a high note, Suwon capitalized on the opportunities in the last quarter of the game, missing a few clear chances. Fortunately, their goal differential compared to Ulsan means those missed opportunities won’t haunt them.
Anyang will likely be disappointed with their home season’s conclusion, starting and ending with losses; this one stings more than their earlier defeat to Gimcheon. After a spirited win in Jeju two weeks ago that secured their survival, their lackluster performance in front of the home fans was regrettable.
Despite outnumbering Suwon in chances created, possession, and territory, they couldn’t find a way to threaten consistently. Suwon managed to handle Anyang’s attacks well, with Lee Chang-yong (on his 300th appearance), Thomas Oude Kotte, and Bruno Mota failing to significantly impact the game despite their Best XI nominations.
In the grand scheme of things, Anyang will remain safe for another season, and judging by their performance in this match, Suwon’s potential playoff opponents from K League 2 might find it tough in the two-legged encounter. Suwon’s asset, Pablo Sabbag, showed his speed and strength, proving problematic for Anyang’s defense.
Suwon trails Ulsan by two points, with Ulsan set to host Jeju next week. Depending on Sunday’s outcomes, both teams might desperately need the win, as Jeju faces automatic relegation. Meanwhile, Suwon has an important home match against Gwangju, aiming to secure a victory in Final B. Suwon must win and hope for Ulsan to stumble; otherwise, they’ll find themselves in the relegation playoffs.
Next Matches
Anyang will wrap up their season against Daegu next Sunday, November 30, at 14:00. Simultaneously, Suwon will take on Gwangju at Castle Park.
Attendance: 7,835.