Suwon, Gangwon due for change after seeing K League 1 cliff edge

The two K League 1 sides must each improve on the factors that pushed them to the bottom of the table in 2023 before the next season begins. Here are some of the changes they might look to make.

Suwon FC players celebrate Lee Gwang-hyeok’s goal during a K League promotion-relegation playoff match against Busan IPark at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Dec. 9. [YONHAP]

Two K League 1 sides may be due for more training than the other teams this winter. Suwon FC and Gangwon FC each have improvements to make on the factors that pushed them to the bottom of the table last season.

Both Suwon and Gangwon displayed lackluster performances throughout the 2023 season. Suwon finished in 11th and Gangwon in 10th on the 12-team table, forcing them into promotion-relegation playoffs against K League 2 sides.

The two sides remained in the first division after winning the playoffs. Suwon beat Busan IPark 6-4 on aggregate and Gangwon managed 2-1 victory on aggregate over Gimpo FC. But those results alone do not mean that either of them can sit back and neglect the factors that troubled them in 2023.

Here are some of the improvements Suwon and Gangwon may want to make ahead of the 2024 season.

Suwon FC

For Suwon, the team's most visible vulnerability last season was its defense. The team conceded the most amount of goals by any K League 1 team — 76.

Suwon FC's Lee Seung-woo, center, dribbles the ball during a K League match against Gangwon FC at Suwon Sports Complex in Suwon, Gyeonggi on June 25. [YONHAP]

The issue is clear when compared to other teams. Daejeon Hana Citizen came in second at 58 goals.

As there were 38 league fixtures for each team, that means Suwon conceded two goals per game on average.

Those stats tell a clear story, that regular defender picks Shin Se-gye and Jeong Dong-ho, as well as goalkeeper Park Bae-jong, need to improve during the off-season break.

Suwon's defense may see some change, as new manager Kim Eun-jung joined the team and may bring in some new signings before the 2024 season. Former Suwon manager Kim Do-kyun resigned and joined K League 2 team Seoul E-Land on Dec. 14.

Another move Kim will likely be tasked with is finding a more reliable goal-scorer and creating cohesion between him and midfielder Lee Seung-woo, who played a key role last season.

Suwon FC scored a decent amount of goals last season with 44 goals in 38 league fixtures — coming in seventh out of 12 teams — but no forward has scored more than 10 goals.

Lee was the top scorer of the team with 10 goals and played an important role in attack, breaking through defense and making effective passes, but no forward was able to support him in attack apart from Lars Veldwijk who is no longer in the team.

Veldwijk was the team’s second top scorer with nine goals in 22 matches, but Suwon terminated his contract in September after he was caught drunk driving in August.

If Lee is pushed into a more creative role that allows forwards to score with good passes, a reliable forward will be a must for Suwon as they look to avoid a repeat of 2023.

Gangwon FC Gangwon’s need to boost its attack may be more urgent than any other team. It was the least prolific team in the league with 30 goals. Now-relegated Suwon Samsung Bluewings scored more, with 35.

Gangwon FC's Kim Dae-won celebrates after the team won the K League match against the Suwon Samsung Bluewings at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi on Dec. 2. [NEWS1]

Kim Dae-won, Gangwon's key forward, is partly responsible for that unimpressive number, as he only scored four goals in 37 matches last season, compared to 12 goals in the 2022 campaign.

To make matters worse for Gangwon, Kim left the team this month to join military club Gimcheon Sangmu to complete his mandatory military service.

With Kim missing in action and other forwards having also shown lacking performances last season, a solid striker will be necessary for the team to improve its attack.

Manager Yoon Jong-hwan may have to bring in multiple forwards to diversify the team’s attacking options. Gangwon seemed to struggle last season when opponents focused heavily on defending Kim, who was deemed the reliable attacking option.

Filling in central midfielder Seo Min-woo’s vacancy will be another task for Gangwon manager Yoon.

Playing as a regular pick, Seo displayed a solid form in defense and made tidy passes for his teammates, but he also left the team to join Gimcheon Sangmu.

With only the Bluewings having faced relegation to the K League 2 this year, the 2024 K League 1 will see 11 teams that competed in the 2023 season in addition to Gimcheon Sangmu, who earned direct promotion to the top tier by winning the second division.

The 2024 K League will kick off in the spring, with exact dates yet to be announced.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]