Busan up-and-running with victory in Bucheon

Busan IPark have climbed to the top half of the table after beating early leaders Bucheon FC 1995 on Saturday afternoon. Manager Cho Seung-hwan's changes to his team made all the difference as his South American forward line punished Bucheon on the break.

Bucheon FC 1995 0

Busan IPark 2 (Fessin 12', Villero 23')

Following a difficult start to the season, Busan IPark have collected their first win after an impressive performance in Bucheon. First half goals from Fessin and Paul Villero were the difference in the early spring sunshine. Fessin's season had failed to ignite but he was key to this victory, as was new man Villero, who grabbed his first for his new club with a spectacular overhead kick.

Busan were lethal on the counterattack in the opening half, and every one of their forward players caused problems for the Bucheon defense. They took that lead into the break and looked to pick Bucheon off on the counter in the second half. But despite having a goal narrowly chalked off by VAR and a couple of clear chances near the end, they were made to settle for a much needed win and clean sheet.

Bucheon had started the season well even if the fixtures were kind. Expectation was high in the city as kick-off approached, especially since they'll be back home next week for the visit of annual strugglers Ansan Greeners. They were far from terrible, but they couldn't live with with Busan on the break especially in the middle part of the first half. It looks like Lee Young-min got his selection wrong, leaving last weekend's man-of-the-match Galego on the bench. His side were already two down when the mistake was rectified.

The home team will be encouraged by some aspects of the performance. Galego was very good when he came on and Bassani was impresive, especially with the dead ball. But this should be considered a dropped three points. They'll have an extra day's rest before Ansan visit. If Bucheon's playoff credentials are to be considered real, a win is vital here next Sunday.

[READ: 2025 Korean Cup First Round preview]

Bucheon started the day joint top of the table following back-to-back wins over teams who finished behind them last season. This allowed manager Lee Young-min to keep changes to a minimum despite the six day turn around from winning in Cheonan last time out. Japanese midfielder Kazuki Takahashi returned to the starting 11 and Kim Ji-ho made his first start of the season in attack. John Fraki Montaño, once of Jeonnam Dragons and Seoul E-Land, led the line. Former Jeju United forward Galego went from a man of the match display in Cheonan to Bucheon's bench.

Busan manager Cho Seung-hwan made three alterations to his beaten side against Gyeongnam. Lee Dong-su was promoted from the bench to start on the left side of their back three. The former Incheon United manager, who looked curiously subdued throughout, rejigged his forward line with a return for the influential Fessin and new signing Paul Villero. Former Gimpo FC and Suwon Bluewings forward Son Suk-yong was one of three players to drop down to the bench.

Cho couldn't have asked for a more positive response from his returning South American forwards. Lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, Busan tore into Bucheon from the start and took a deserved lead on 12 minutes. Bucheon teammates Kazuki and defender Lee Sang-hyeok collided in midfield as Busan broke down the left. The unfortunate collision left Fessin in acres of the space and the Brazilian finished brilliantly into the keeper's near post from the edge of the box. Kim Hyeong-geun won't enjoy the reply but Fessin's strike was hit with some power. 

Rodrigo Bassani, as ever Bucheon's main source of inspiration, went close with a long range effort but it was deflected behind. 25-year-old Brazilian Thiaguinho Santos then wasted a glorious chance to level the game when played through by Bassani. Instead of taking on the shot, he looked to square the ball and find a teammate. Busan had scrambled back in time, however, and Bucheon would soon rue that missed opportunity.

On 23 minutes, Paul Villero scored a peach. Another Busan counterattack down Bucheon's left led to Park Chang-woo's cross into the box. The Colombian, without a goal or assist since joining Busan in the winter, met the cross with a spectacular overhead kick into the bottom corner. It was an outstanding team goal and finish from Villero as he finally opens his K League 2 account.

Overrun in midfield and massively vulnerable on the counter, Bucheon manager Lee made two substitutions on the half-hour. Kim Ji-ho's first appearance of the year was brought to a quick end. Santos was also called ashore. Galego and Kim Gyu-min min were there replacements. Galego was involved in his team's chance as half-time approached. He powered past two Busan players on the edge of the box before an exquisite through ball played Montaño in. The big striker, however, shot straight at Koo Sang-min and the chance was gone.

After five minutes of added-on time, the referee brought an end to the half without any more incidents. Bucheon weren't playing particularly badly, and yet they found themselves two down thanks to a double whammy of counterattacks from the beleaguered Busan.

[READ: FC Anyang vs. Gimcheon Sangmu match preview]

The worry for Bucheon as they started the second period was guarding against Busan's effective counter attack. They needed to chase the game but with the quality of forward players in the away ranks, getting picked off was a real concern. Cho's team could simply drop their wingers into defense and create a back five, then pounce on errors from the the home team.

To reinforce the threat, Cho made two switches approaching the hour mark. Pacy winger Son Suk-young and young defender Hong Jae-suk were introduced. Son replaced Fessin, who had an excellent game, and lined up on the right wing. Son was a strange signing made by Suwon in the immediate aftermath of relegation. He's quick but he's a heads-down winger who doesn't deliver on promising moments. Jeong Ho-geun made way for Hong. Bucheon made a change of their own at the same time. Kazuki was taken off for Choi Won-cheol.

Son's first involvement was to pick up a needless yellow on half way and then prevented a quick breakaway with a professional foul. He was lucky not to see red. But this was how the half was playing out. Niggles, fouls, and a whistle-happy referee stripped the match of any momentum. Ideal conditions for an under-fire away team in desperate need of their first win of 2025.

Busan could have put an end to the contest when Villero slipped a ball through Lee Jae-won's legs for Park Chang-woo to get on the end off. The midfielder struck a low drive straight at the keeper from a tight angle. Villero and Park were Busan's two best players so it would have been appropriate had they closed out the game. 

However, Busan need not worry. Bassani fired a shot just wide as the last act of the game.

[LISTEN: K League 2 wrap up]

Bucheon will naturally be very disappointed to lose their unbeaten record at the start of the season, especially as the opening weeks presented a relatively easy set of fixtures. Ansan Greeners, starting the weekend bottom, are next to visit Bucheon but Lee's team embarks on a very tricky set of games featuring Seoul E-Land, Suwon Samsung, and Incheon United after that.

There were positives for the home team. U-22 star Park Hyeon-bin had a very energetic game in central midfield, playing the full 90 minutes. Bassani's deliveries were good, as usual, and Galego made a huge impact after coming on at 2-0. You wonder if the manager made the wrong call in not starting his new recruit with K League 1 experience.

However, today belongs to Cho Seung-hwan and Busan as they get their season up and running with a  victory here. This was a masterful away performance. If one were to look solely at the match stats, you could be forgiven for thinking Bucheon ran out 2-0 winners. But Busan defended really well, countered effectively, had all of the game's best payers, and they committed several key fouls to stamp out any Bucheon attack. 

Will these three points ignite a play-off push as many observers expected from Busan, or will the win just paper over the cracks? Cheonan City are about to find out.

Up next

Bucheon FC will be at home again when Ansan Greeners visit on Sunday, March 16th at 16:30. Lee Young-min's team will be desperate to collect three points from this soft run of opening games before the heavy hitters come calling later this month. 

Busan IPark will also be at home next Sunday, March 16th at 14:00 against Cheonan City. Having brought to an end their winless start to the campaign, Sunday provides Busan with a great opportunity to push themselves into the playoff picture.

Best player: Paul Villero
Attendance: 3,277

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