Super Match Review: Suwon Bluewings 1-1 FC Seoul

A late, late Park Chuyoung penalty deep into injury time earned FC Seoul a point in the first Super Match of 2019 after Dejan had given the Bluewings the lead. In what was a truly entertaining match that had no shortage of drama and controversy, former FC Seoul favourite Dejan Damjanović came off the bench to fire Bluewings into a 56th minute lead, only for his former striker partner Park to level with the very last kick of the game.

It turned out to be a lucky escape for FC Seoul who, after having a goal chalked off, were awarded two penalties. Despite seeing his first spot kick saved, Park Chuyoung stepped up to convert and see the spoils shared.

A cool finish from Dejan gave Suwon Bluewings the lead just ten minutes into the second period, but the rest of the match wasn't short on drama. FC Seoul had a goal chalked off as well as a penalty awarded as the result of a VAR intervention.

The 24,000-strong crowd at Suwon World Cup Stadium, ahead of the first Super Match of 2019 in K League 1 Round 10, seemed to set the tone of the game, especially early on. Both sets of players were showed a great deal of commitment and seemed to have an extra spring in their step.

FC Seoul manager Choi Yongsoo (L) and Suwon Bluewings manager Lee Limsaeng (R)

Both managers made some interesting selections however; with Aleksandar Pešić's absence through injury, Park Dongjin partnered Park Chuyoung up top - the former Gwangju FC fullback's energy and effervescent nature to be utilised to tire the Suwon Bluewings back three.

Elsewhere, Yoo Sanghoon was restored to the starting lineup with Yang Hanbin dropping to the bench, Cho Youngwook started in central midfield to replace the suspended Ikromjon Alibaev.

For Suwon, Dejan was left on the bench with Adam Taggart trusted as the lone striker in a 3-4-3, youngster Oh Hyungyu was given the nod on the right flank.

The first chance of the match in the fifth minute, FC Seoul earning themselves a corner which was met with vociferous boos by the Suwon faithful behind the goal. The corner from the right eventually came to nothing but at least served as a warning for the Suwon Bluewings back four.

In the seventh minute, Go Yohan blazed a left-footed shot wide despite taking a good touch from Cho Youngwook's teasing cross from just outside the area. In these opening exchanges, FC Seoul were the most enterprising team - the hosts content to sit back and take a more measured approach.

Looking to break on the counter, Park Dongjin earned his side a free-kick on the left-hand side and just inside the Bluewings half. Park Chuyoung stepped up to take, right-footed but the veteran's delivery was just a touch behind the Seoul contingent in the box and in the end, the ball bounced out for a goal kick. There was however some confusion as Park Dongjin felt aggrieved and that his side deserved a free-kick.

After some delay, the referee went over to check VAR and resulted in the referee lecturing a handful of the Suwon Bluewings players before producing a yellow card for Hong Chul and the free-kick was re-taken. Confusion aplenty.

Cho Youngwook teed up Park Chuyoung who proceeded to advance towards goal only for Bosnian central midfielder Elvis Sarić to impede Park resulting in another free-kick, this time in a more perilous position, central to the Bluewings penalty area. The former Arsenal and Monaco forward's cross was a dangerous one but just too long even for Osmar's outstretched foot.

The VAR consultation seemed to take the sting out of the match somewhat but still Seoul continued to press. Park Chuyoung registered Seoul's first shot on target in the 18th minute forcing a good save from Noh Donggeun.

However, shortly after Suwon were themselves awarded a freekick in a dangerous position, just on the edge of the area. Yeom Kihun, an expert from these positions, stepped up with Seoul making a nine-man wall. The club legend, left-footed, sent in a venomous freekick but, to the relief of Yoo Sanghoon, just wide of the left-hand post.

And then, just a few minutes later, another of Suwon's left-footers, Hong Chul, had a go himself but the former Seongnam wing back's delivery was poor. Suwon then began to show more belief and drive, looking to get the ball into Taggart as soon as possible.

Similarly, FC Seoul were intent on feeding the ball from deep into the channels with the energetic fullback-turned-striker Park Dongjin. Osmar, as classy as ever, showing what a calming presence he is in the centre of the park for FC Seoul, was a touch further forward than his usual 'quarter back' role.

Choi Yongsoo's midfield three were more of a flat line than a triangle, the two-time K League title winner true to his word that his team were to approach this first Super Match of 2019 in the correct manner.

On 32 minutes, Park Chuyoung attempted the spectacular with an overhead kick but the 34 year-old was unable to make contact on the ball, Ko Kwangmin's follow up blazed wide. Just a few minutes later, however, and Osmar into Go Yohan who cut inside and and fired in a right-footed daisy cutter but, much to the relief of Noh Donggeun, the one-club man's shot hit the outside of the post and bounced out to safety - arguably Seoul's best move of the match thus far.

With 36  minutes on the clock Suwon then hit on the break through Yeom Kihun who carried the ball forward with purpose all the way to the 18-yard line before ushering the ball into the path of Adam Taggart whose right-footed shot hit the side netting.

In what has become something of a trend in K League of late, Suwon Bluewings made a substitution just before half-time. Former FC Seoul fan favourite Dejan Damjanović was introduced on 39 minutes, replacing young winger Oh Hyungyu - Adam Taggart stayed as the loan striker with Yeom Kihun shifted to right wing, the Montenegrin on the left before eventually shifting to a two-top with Dejan just off Taggart.

Immediately after the 38 year-old's introduction, Suwon had a free kick with Sarić to take. The box-to-box midfielder's effort on goal went straight into the wall though and the chance was gone. That was until a header from Taggart from the resulting throw-in looked to be looping over Yoo Sanghoon but just couldn't dip enough in time and went out for a goal kick.

The first half wasn't done there either as Suwon goalkeeper Noh Donggeon came out to punch but the custodian's clearance only made it as far as Cho Youngwook on the edge of the box. Noh had the opportunity to redeem himself, blocking Cho's shot to keep the score goalless.

For what was the last meaningful play of the half, Dejan very nearly gave the hosts the lead with a header at the back post but the K League legend's effort whistled past the post to a chorus of boos from the Seoul fans behind the goal. After four minutes of time added on, the two teams went in at the break all square.

Second Half

Dejan had another decent chance two minutes into the second half, latching onto a through-ball only for the on-rushing Yoo Sanghoon to gather. Not long after and Taggart, playing the ball into Dejan on the right wing, then first time the veteran sent in a teasing cross to the far post but Seoul were able to clear. Suwon beginning to flex their muscles on the counter, however.

Another Park Chuyoung freekick, earned by Seoul's number 10 nd taken well too. The cross made its way to the edge of the six yard box but the header by Cho Youngwook was well scouted by Noh Donggeun and the chance was gone.

Intensity increased in the second half, as did the noise levels. Clearcut chances, though, remained at a premium, despite the amount of quality build up play that was on offer at Big Bird.Park Chuyoung uncharacteristically opting to pass rather than shoot also took all of FC Seoul's free-kick's and corner due a certain degree of success rate. Still, the game's first goal remained elusive.

Dejan (L) gave Suwon the lead on 56 minutes

That was until, of all people, Dejan found the bottom corner with a superb strike, firing in Saric's cut back first time - cue delirium amongst the Bluewings supporters. Dejan, though, true to his promise did not celebrate.

For as much endeavour as there was, the game needed a goal to really bring both teams to life, rather fittingly it was Dejan who scored his second Super Match goal against his former employers.

However, with Seoul now trailing, the onus was on Choi Yongsoo to make a change. Park Dongjin had worked hard in the first half but was ineffective in the second. Nevertheless, it was Suwon who made a change - Adam Taggart coming off for Kim Jongwoo. The Australian had worked hard and showed some good touches but Lee Limsaeng decided to add an extra body in the middle of the park as the Bluewings attempted to record their first league win over FC Seoul in nearly four years.

After the goal, FC Seoul struggled to get a foothold in the game. The capital club looked a touch panicked in possession and lacked composure in the final third. The lack of tactical adjustments, or too personnel changes, highlighted Choi Yongsoo's real lack of depth in attack. The absence of Pešić was felt.

Yun Jutae, who has been with FC Seoul, since 2014, was the forward who Choi opted to bring on in place of Park Dongjin in the 69th minute. Those clad in red and black now had 20 minutes to find an equaliser. 

And that's exactly what they thought they had done when Yun Jutae, from point blank range turned in a loose ball on 72 minutes. The Suwon Bluewings players remained unmoved on the edge of their own penalty area, insistent that the Yun was offside - VAR intervened and the goal was chalked off.

The decision took the wind out of Seoul's sales and, with a misfiring Park Chuyoung upfront, struggled to get going again. Suwon, on the other hand, looked confident in possession and were able to restrict Seoul's advances.

Seoul made a substitution on 80 minutes, centre back Lee Woonghee going off in place of Jung Hyeoncheol - a central midfielder. Choi Yongsoo switching to a back four and a 4-3-3 with Osmar as a makeshift centre forward. Suwon Bluewings made a change of their own their third and final of the afternoon, the injured Choi Sunggeun going off for right-back Koo Daeyoung.

From foe to friend, in the 87th minute, VAR awarded FC Seoul a penalty after a foul on Park Chuyoung on the edge of the area by Kim Jongwoo. The referee did not see the original incident but, after consulting VAR, awarded the visitors a penalty - despite a long delay whilst the referee watched the replay. Nevertheless, Park stepped up to take the resulting spot kick with the travelling Seoul fans behind Noh Donggeon's goal.

Referee Kim Dongjin consulting with VAR

For what would have been his second league goal of the season, Park Chuyoung's penalty was well-saved by Noh Donggeon, the Bluewings fans erupted with relief. For Seoul, it was disbelief. 

Six minutes were added on, six minutes for the Bluewings to see the game out - six minutes for FC Seoul to salvage a draw. Seoul's last chance to rescue a point, or so they thought, came via a freekick with both Osmar and Park Chuyoung standing over the dead ball, Park played in Go Yohan who danced his way in on goal before being brought down by Noh Donggeun.

The referee was left with no choice but to point to the spot, giving FC Seoul the chance to fire in a late, late equaliser. Undeterred from an earlier miss, Park Chuyoung stepped up to take, finding the bottom corner with the very last kick of the game.

Park Chuyoung celebrates scoring his second goal of the season.

Lineups

Substitutes: 1 Kim Dasol, 7 Waguininho, 9 Han Euikwon, 10 Dejan (Oh Hyungyu 39'), 12 Park Daewon, 17 Kim Jongwoo (Taggart 61'), Koo Daeyoung (Choi Sunggeun 81').

Substitutes: 21 Yang Hanbon, 8 Jung Wonjin, 14 Kim Hangil, 15 Kim Wonsik, 19 Yun Jutae (Park Dongjin 69'), 24 Jung Hyeoncheol (Lee Woonghee 81'), 33 Lee Ingyu.

Attendance: 24,019
Referee: Kim Dongjin
Assistants: Kim Gyeyong, Yang Jaeyong
Fourth Official: Choi Hyunjae

Highlights: here

Interview: FC Seoul's Osmar: "I lost hope"

Post Match Analysis