Why Suwon Bluewings' Title Challenge Ended

Incheon United claimed the K League 2 title and only automatic promotion spot last Sunday. Incheon roared to the top of the table early, built a solid lead, and despite a few wobbles in a long season, wrapped up the championship with three matches to spare. Why did Suwon not give them a sterner challenge?

Byun Sung-hwan, manager of Suwon Bluewings.

The simple answer is: they just aren’t good enough. Or perhaps Incheon United are basically better. But there’s more nuance to it than that.

Following a meek Korea Cup third-round exit to Gimcheon Sangmu in mid-April, Suwon fans delivered a clear message to the club: the poor league start and early Cup exit would only be tolerated if it ended with automatic promotion. Before the children of Korea had even gone trick-or-treating, that hope had already vanished. Incheon United sealed the only automatic promotion slot with three matches remaining.

The season isn’t over yet, though. Suwon need just one more win to guarantee second place in the table. That reward allows them to skip the K League 2 playoffs and advance straight to a relegation play-off against the 11th-placed team in K League 1. Currently, Jeju SK are lined up for a two-legged meeting in December, but there’s still time for that to change.

To find out how Incheon closed out the title race, read Luke's article below.

[READ: Five Takeaways from Incheon United's Title-Winning Season]

For now, Suwon must sift through the remains of a frustrating campaign — plenty of highs, but too many lows — knowing their biggest match in years is still to come. Finishing second isn’t a disaster, but plenty of Suwon fans had dreamed of a title win back in February. So, what went wrong for the Bluewings?

1. Deflated Pre-Season Optimism

On January 7, Suwon’s social media channels announced the signing of Stanislav Iljutcenko from FC Seoul. Suwon internet went into meltdown — and it’s easy to see why. “Big Stan” had scored 14 times for Seoul the previous season, second only to Stefan Mugoša in the league charts. He’d also hit double figures in K League 1 with Pohang Steelers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. A blue-chip striker wearing the blue of the Bluewings — Suwon fans had been waiting years for a signing like that.

As November approaches, Iljutcenko has 14 league goals for Suwon, joint-third in the division alongside Jeonnam Dragons’ Valdívia. Mugoša, who also dropped to the second tier over the winter, has 20. Fourteen goals is a solid return, but the numbers tell another story: ten of those came before Round 18. Last weekend was Round 36. The goals have dried up, and the Russian-born forward hasn’t found the net in any of his last four starts. His role may have changed, or perhaps he’s carrying a knock, but his overall contribution remains high — and Iljutcenko is hugely popular at Big Bird.

His arrival was crucial because Suwon had become a goal-shy club. They were relegated automatically in 2023 despite finishing level on points with Suwon FC and having a better goal difference. In K League, goals scored break ties — meaning losing 5-1 is better than 1-0. In 2024, they missed the playoffs to Busan IPark, again despite finishing level on points and having a better goal difference. What killed their season? Goals — or the lack of them.

Bruno Silva during happier times.

Bruno Silva’s arrival from Seoul E-Land was another big signing. In 2024, the Brazilian winger scored 11 times and added six assists as Seoul made an unexpected playoff surge — all in just 24 matches. But there were warning signs. Silva is a quality player, yet even at 25, his injury record is worrying. He’s featured only 17 times this season and didn’t play a single minute between July 19 and October 19. His last goal came in April.

Then came Matheus Serafim from Amazonas FC — and he’s taken K League 2 by storm. The Brazilian has been Suwon’s best player this season, in my opinion, with 12 goals and six assists in 36 matches. He’s grown stronger as the campaign has gone on.

The Bluewings also reinforced elsewhere. Léo Andrade, Kwon Wan-kyu, and Jeong Dong-yoon strengthened the defense. Veteran Choi Young-jun brought his K League medals to Big Bird, and later additions like Hwang Seok-ho, Lee Gyu-sung, and Park Ji-won added depth.

The influx of players has been remarkable. Some have been inspired signings; others have simply padded out the squad. What’s been the result of all that turnover? After 36 matches — the same as last season — Suwon sit second (up from sixth) and are 11 points better off. Their 67 points would have won the league last year, though not in any other season since 2016. Are they really that good?

Suwon have scored almost 30 more goals this season but also conceded 13 more. The heavy investment in attack paid off, but despite reinforcements, the defense remains fragile. Incheon won the title conceding just 27 in 36 games. Suwon’s total is 48 — only five fewer than bottom-placed Ansan Greeners.

2. The Head-to-Head Results Reflect Poorly on Suwon

Everyone knew coming into 2025 that the title race would be between Incheon and Suwon. In our K League United season preview, I tipped Suwon because of their recruitment drive. What I didn’t expect was their struggle against their rivals from Sungui. In three meetings this season, Incheon have won two, with the other ending in a draw. With the gap at the top sitting at 10 points, those six extra points Incheon picked up have been decisive.

[LISTEN: #KLUpod | Incheon United are K League 2 champions! Live reaction featuring interviews with Delbridge and Fernandes]

There’s a precedent. The Bluewings missed out on the playoffs last year on goals scored, but they were also just two points behind Seoul E-Land in third. Against Seoul that season, Suwon lost all three meetings — nine points dropped that ultimately cost them a playoff spot. It’s unforgivable to surrender so many points to a single rival.

Stefan Mugoša celebrates his goal against Suwon in October.

Compounding their head-to-head issues was a poor start to the season. Seven losses so far, including two in the first three weeks — against Incheon (2-0) and Seoul E-Land (4-2). When they finally returned to Big Bird in Round 4 after six months away, they could only manage a draw with Chungnam Asan. The fans were furious. Suwon ended that weekend in 11th; Incheon were second. From the very start, the Bluewings were playing catch-up. They didn’t climb to second until Week 15 — and have been there ever since.

3. What Is Suwon’s Best XI?

If every Suwon player were fit and available, what would their best XI look like? It’s hard to say. I could pick a lineup today and change my mind tomorrow.

For 35 of the 36 rounds (the exception being Incheon away in October), manager Byun Sung-hwan has preferred a back four. Left-back Lee Ki-jae has been the one near-constant presence, starting 31 matches. Right-back has alternated between Lee Geon-hee and Jang Dong-yoon.

The central defense, though, has been in constant flux — partly due to form, partly injuries and suspensions. Here are the total starts by centre-backs this season:

Léo Andrade: 24

Kwon Wan-kyu: 17

Han Ho-gang: 10

Ko Jong-hyun: 9

Hwang Seok-ho: 9

Cho Yung-sung: 4

Jang Seok-hwan: 1

Suwon have fielded nine different centre-back pairings this year, and none have played together for more than eight matches. Contrast that with Incheon, where young defender Kim Geon-hee has played every minute of every match, mostly alongside Kim Geon-ung. Stability breeds success — and Suwon simply haven’t had it. The central midfield duo has also changed frequently, adding to the uncertainty.

4. Defending — or Lack Thereof

Freeze the frame at 93:20 in Suwon vs. Jeonnam last Saturday. The assistant referee had indicated six minutes of added time. Suwon led 2-1, and Lee Min-hyeok had just been dispossessed four yards from Jeonnam’s box. At that moment, seven Suwon players were ahead of the ball, and all ten outfielders were in the opposition half.

Why? Why commit so many men forward with barely two minutes left and a one-goal lead?

[READ: No Country for Young Men; Is FC Anyang too old?]

José Alberti pounced on Lee’s mistake, playing a lovely ball with the outside of his right foot to free substitute Jeong Ji-yong down the left. It was three-on-three. When Jeong burned past Hong Won-jin, Suwon were in trouble. Han Ho-gang couldn’t keep up, and when Jeong squared across goal, Ronan tapped home the equaliser. Suwon’s title hopes evaporated in ten seconds and two passes. Lethal from Jeonnam — but woeful from Suwon.

Han Ho-gang is now the preferred central partner for Leo?

Why were so many players forward? Why did Lee Min-hyeok hesitate when Choi Young-jun was calling for a pass to the unmarked Lee Geon-hee five yards away? Did anyone warn him of danger behind? Why didn’t Léo Andrade react faster when Alberti launched the counter? All three defenders chased the same ball. Zooming in, neither Han nor Léo seemed aware of the Jeonnam runners closing in behind them.

That goal is just one of 48 Suwon have conceded this season. Falling behind has been a recurring theme. Is it down to the constant rotation at the back — nine different pairings, seven different starters? Are midfielders offering enough protection? Is it leadership, communication, or simply Byun’s tactics? No one can say for sure, but ask any neutral or rival fan and they’ll tell you: Suwon’s defending has been their Achilles’ heel.

A Final Thought

All is not lost. Promotion is still within reach. The Bluewings have three more matches before the playoffs. They’ve played some truly outstanding football this season — averaging two goals a game — and thrilled Big Bird with several memorable comebacks. Their average attendance of 12,427 is the best in K League 2, and up from 2024. Across the country, only Seoul, Jeonbuk, and Ulsan draw bigger crowds.

Suwon will fancy their chances against whoever finishes 11th in K League 1. They have the experience, the firepower, and the creativity to do real damage. Whatever happens, the end to this season promises to be epic.