Score draw in Big Bird closes Gimpo FC's season

Gimpo FC's season came to an end in Suwon on Sunday afternoon following a 1-1 draw. Gimpo took the lead thanks to Kim Min-woo's world-class strike but were pegged back within five minutes of the restart. Gimpo looked more likely to find a winner in a quiet second half.

Suwon Bluewings 1 (Matheus Serafim 50')

Gimpo FC 1 (Kim Min-woo 43')

Key Details

• Kim Min-woo's stunning long range effort opening the scoring.
• Matheus Serafim returned from injury to score five minutes after coming on.
• Suwon limp into the play-offs following a pair of score draws.

This is not the preparation Suwon Bluewings wanted before facing the 11th–placed K League 1 team next month. Even though the result didn't matter, as second place had already been sewn up, the Bluewings wanted to end the regular season on a high to inspire some confidence. Instead, they had to settle for another 1-1 draw against lower-table opposition.

The old failing came back to haunt the team: a turgid first-half display, falling behind, followed by a rousing start to the second half. In half their matches this season, Suwon have fallen behind. Over and over again, they are left to chase matches instead of looking for a victory. It goes without saying that this tactic isn't going to work against superior K League 1 teams in the play-offs.

There was some bright news. Matheus Serafim returned from injury to score after the break. But Lee Gyu-sung's withdrawal before half-time will worry the team. Bruno Silva, who played on both flanks, is out of form and maybe out of confidence. His form deserted him, but manager Byun Seung-hwan will presumably be happy to see the Brazilian last almost 80 minutes during an injury-disrupted season.

Kim Min-jun stepped in for Yang Hyeong-mo in goal. His footwork and distribution aren't at the required level. Yang is certain to return for the play-offs. Up front, Stanislav Iljutcenko pressed well and put himself about, but he's now seven without a goal.

Gimpo will be disappointed to see their season end here. They were mounting a strong play-off run towards the end of the summer, but four defeats in five proved very costly. They finish the season in seventh, nine points shy of Seongnam FC in fifth.

In Seogwipo, Jeju held Daegu to a 1-1 draw. Suwon are still waiting for confirmation of their play-off opponents. Daegu host Anyang and Jeju travel to Ulsan. Jeju are three points clear but boast an inferior goals-scored record. They might need a point to avoid 12th.

A match with nothing riding on it was open, with both teams very adventurous. Most of the best opportunities fell to a much-changed Gimpo team, still licking their wounds after missing out on the post-season fun.

[READ: "I Knew We Were Not Going Down!" - FC Anyang's Han Ka-ram]

Luis Mina takes on Suwon.

The deadlock was broken shortly before half-time, and this was a goal worth waiting for. The old saying "nothing seemed on" applied here when defensive midfielder Kim Min-woo collected the ball near the right touchline. He took a few steps infield and launched an unstoppable drive from 30 yards. It sailed over Kim Min-jun into the net. Kim's positioning isn't his strong point, but he could do nothing about this.

Kim Min-woo's third goal in 17 matches this season was effectively the last play of the half, although the home fans were worried to see midfielder Lee Gyu-sung replaced immediately after the goal. Lee is an important player for Suwon, and to lose him to injury so close to the play-offs would be devastating.

[READ: FC Anyang's K League 1 Nominations]

Suwon started the second half in traditional fashion: a change and an immediate goal. Matheus Serafim returned from injury, replacing Park Ji-won. His impact was instant. The Brazilian found space at the edge of the box, chipped the goalkeeper, and ran into the North Stand to celebrate with his adoring fans.

Matheus Serafim jumps for joy.

Serafim is hugely popular in Big Bird. This was his 13th goal of the season. His introduction pushed Bruno Silva to the left of the front three, and Serafim took up his place on the right.

Oddly, there was very little action after the equaliser. Perhaps Suwon were saving themselves for the still-undetermined play-off opponent after Jeju's 1-1 draw with Daegu. The smart money is on Jeju, who hold a three-point lead with one round left, but the Bluewings will have to wait another week.

Up next

This is the end of the road for Gimpo FC. Suwon, however, face [TBD] in the relegation play-offs in December.

Best player: No one.

Attendance: 8,278.