Suwon live to fight another day after gutsy win

Suwon live to fight another day after gutsy win

Suwon FC will take the final relegation battle to the final day thanks to a narrow win in Anyang, coupled with Ulsan's loss in Gwangju.

FC Anyang 0

Suwon FC 1 (Lee Jae-won 19')

Key Details

• Anyang captain Lee Chang-yong made his 300th K League appearance.
• Best XI nominees Lee, Thomas Oude Kotte, and Bruno Mota all started for Anyang.
• Lee Jae-won's deflected shot proved to be the only goal of the match.
• Suwon remain in the relegation zone with one match to play.

Suwon celebrate the only goal of the match.

Suwon FC refuse to accept their fate thanks to this win in Bisan on Saturday night. Defeat would have guaranteed their spot in the K League Relegation Play-offs against a team from K League 2, but they won here and thoroughly deserved to so. Lee Jae-won's deflected effort was enough in the end.

As Anyang made several offense changes to close their home account on a positive note, Suwon picked them apart at will in the final 15 minutes, leaving several good chances behind. Thankfully, their superior goals scored record compared to Ulsan's ensures that they won't rue those missed chances.

Anyang will be disappointed with how their home season ended. They opened and closed their home ledger with defeats, but this one will sting more than a spring loss to Gimcheon. Riding a wave of emotion after winning in Jeju two weeks to guarantee survival, and picking up five Award nominations, they produced a clunky display before saying goodbye to their supporters.

It didn't matter they created more chances, and dominated possession and territory. Suwon weren't hanging on at any point, and saw off Anyang's offensive threats reasonably well. Lee Chang-yong, on the occasion of his 300th appearance, Thomas Oude Kotte, and Bruno Mota picked up Best XI nominations and, really, none of them advanced their case here.

Of course, none of this really matters. Anyang are safe for another season, and based on this 90 minutes, Suwon's challengers from K League 2 will have a very difficult job prevailing over a gruelling two-legged playoff. If nothing else, Suwon possess Pablo Sabbag, who's pace and strength made life very difficult for Anyang.

Suwon trail Ulsan HD by two points. Ulsan host Jeju next week. Depending on Sunday's results, both sides could be desperate for a win, as Jeju face automatic relegation. Suwon have a difficult home match with Gwangju, looking to top Final B. Suwon need to win and hope Ulsan fail to do so. Any other sequence of results means Suwon will be in the relegation playoffs.

Up next

Anyang close out a very positive season in Daegu next Sunday, November 30, at 14:00. At the same time, Suwon welcome Gwangju to Castle Park.

Attendance: 7,835.

Συμπέρασμα