Kim Woo-young's Gwanggyo Column Unstoppable Momentum! Suwon's 'Soccer Brothers' Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Suwon FC

There is significant disappointment among the public following the news that our national football team suffered a devastating 0-4 defeat against Côte d'Ivoire on the 28th.

Professor Shin Mun-seon (Graduate School of Records and Information Science, Myongji University), a former football commentator, criticized through his YouTube channel: "Allowing three of four goals in similar patterns despite having five or more defensive players shows insufficient preparation." He lamented: "If we conceded the same way, there should have been tactical changes, but there weren't. This means there is absolutely no tactical flexibility."

The implication is that there are problems with Manager Hong Myung-bo's tactics. I share that view.

I also wondered what the result would have been if Manager Lee Jung-hyo of the professional football club Suwon Samsung Bluewings had directed the national team instead of Manager Hong.

Manager Lee Jung-hyo, who took the helm of Suwon Samsung from December of last year, has achieved an impressive record of five consecutive wins from the opening match to the present.

Manager Lee is recognized as an outstanding tactician. Suwon Samsung gave him full authority, and under his direction, the team is playing 'attacking football' based on high pressing, quick passing, varied offensive patterns, and organization.

Over five matches from the opening game to now, the team has scored nine goals while conceding just one, showing excellent balance between offense and defense.

As a result, Suwon has achieved five consecutive wins and maintained an unbeaten streak this season. It's been nine years since they've done this. If they win their home match against Chungbuk Cheongju on the 5th, they will tie the club's record for most consecutive wins set in 2007—six consecutive victories.

It's practically a 'storm.' The 'Lee Jung-hyo effect.' This manager's tactical prowess, which differs from others, is shining. Additionally, the club's full support and the most passionate supporters' cheering are the backdrop to this winning streak. Founded in 1995, the club became a 'football powerhouse' by reaching the top four times in the K League, but suffered the indignity of finishing last in the 2023 season and being relegated to the second division. However, even after dropping to K League 2, fans' ardent love has continued.

One can see how important a manager's role is by looking at this manager's mercenary tactics and strategies. Though it's early in the season, Suwon fans are harboring dreams of promotion to the top division.

Suwon FC's start is also promising.

Overcoming the shock of relegation to the second division last year, they are rising again. Most of the coaching staff and starting players have changed.

Suwon FC, under the direction of Manager Park Gun-ha, has achieved four wins in four matches since winning their opening game. Along with Suwon Samsung, it's truly unstoppable momentum.

I visited the Suwon Sports Complex last Sunday (the 29th) to watch the match between Suwon FC and Paju Frontier FC.

Being over 65, I could afford admission for just 1,000 won with senior discount. I couldn't help but smile, thinking, 'Getting older can have its perks sometimes.'

Today's opponent, Paju Frontier FC, is a newly established team. However, with two recent consecutive wins, they are not a team to be underestimated.

I watched the match with anticipation. In the 5th minute of the first half, Kim Kyung-min won a penalty kick for Suwon FC, and foreign player Willian calmly converted it into a goal.

However, in the 21st minute, facing a similar situation, they conceded a penalty kick and allowed a goal. The match returned to square one.

In the 33rd minute, they earned another penalty kick, and Willian scored confidently. The match ended 2-1, and Suwon FC secured four consecutive wins. Their thrilling attacking football with 11 goals in four matches thrilled the spectators.

It was thanks to the excellent mercenary tactics of newly appointed Manager Park Gun-ha.

And if this team maintains their form, they can go directly to the top division along with Suwon Samsung.

The head-to-head matches between Suwon Samsung and Suwon FC, the Suwon brothers, are also drawing attention. So, which team should I support? I'm already troubled. Before Suwon FC was founded, I frequently visited Seoul World Cup Stadium to watch Suwon Samsung home games, so in a sense, I'm a Suwon Samsung fan. But now I also go to watch Suwon FC games whenever I can.

Though I haven't visited the stadium in person, I also keep up with game highlights of Hwaseong FC, the football club of Hwaseong City, my hometown during my youth.

By the way, not only football but also KT Wiz, the professional baseball team affiliated with Suwon, is on a winning streak. In regular-season away games at Seoul's Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 28th and 29th of the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization league, they repeatedly defeated 'defending champion' LG Twins. Riding the momentum of their two opening wins, I hope they will become champions this year.

With consecutive victories from both the professional football and baseball teams affiliated with Suwon, spring days in Suwon are becoming even more beautiful.