Preview: Suwon Bluewings vs Ulsan

(Jo Won-hee celebrates his goal against Jeju. Photo courtesy of www. http://sports.news.naver.com)

After a brief summer, weekend break, Suwon are back in action on Wednesday night when they come up against a formiddable Ulsan team. With a temperature of 29 degrees expected at kick-off it will be a tough environment both on and off the pitch and both teams will need super human levels of fitness to finish the game as winners in what promises to be a war of attrititon. 

Prediction

The alarm bells aren't ringing in Suwon tonight. Instead, the nuclear sirens are turned up to full because this is the exact type of fixture that Suwon have been losing all season. The 5-3 victory against Jeju was special, but we have had that feeling a few times this season.

Suwon have been unable to build upon any victory yet this term and are still yet to register back-to-back wins in the league. Infact, bar one game, Suwon have conceded 2 or more goals in the game immediately after a victory. And they were completely outplayed in every single match following on from a victory. Not only have Suwon had a psycological problem with conceding in the lat 15 minutes of games, they have also struggled to consolidate when they are playing well this season.

Furthermore, Ulsan are the type of team that have caused Suwon problems all season. Their athletic, direct brand of football has already profited 6 goals in two games against a fragile Suwon defence and there are fears that yet more could be plundered on Wednesday night. In Kovacec and Kim Tae-hwan, Ulsan boast two of the more mobile and athletic wing players in the league and they have torn the Suwon defence to shreds this season. While the beast like figure of Frederic Mendy up front offers very little in general play he has already proven that he is a natural finisher with 2 goals in his fledgling K League career, both of which were scored with the final kick of each game. 

Therefore, not even the most hardcore of Suwon supporters would be expecting an easy game on Wednesday evening. But, after a fantastic performance and result against Jeju there is more of a feel of optimism than has been the case at Big Bird these past 2 months. 

The 1st half against Jeju was everything that people expect from a Suwon team at their best. Yeom Ki-hun was at his mercurial best with 3 assists in 45 miutes, with his dead ball delivery especially spot on. It was arguably the first we have seen of the real Ki-hun this season and he was instrumental in the victory. 

So too was Santos, who has also not performed at the heights expected of him this season. The little Brazilian's movement was top notch and finally displayed the fine touch and control of the ball that we all know he is capable of. 

Infact, everything besides from the central midfield was great. But how Jeju were allowed to come back into the game when they were 3-0 down is unforgivable. And for a period in the 2nd half it appeared that Jeju would equalise. Suwon certainly need to sure up the spine of the team if they are to rise up the table. 

With a very difficult week ahead (games against Ulsan and Seoul) the Suwon faithful may just have to wait a little longer for that rise to happen. 

Score Prediction: Suwon 2 - 2 Ulsan