Suwon Samsung Bluewings suffer 1st relegation in K League football

Rodrigo Bassani of Suwon Samsung Bluewings, center, is tackled by Seo Min-woo of Gangwon FC during the clubs' K League 1 match at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 2. Yonhap

Suwon Samsung Bluewings were relegated to the second division in South Korean football for the first time in their club history Saturday, following a goalless draw against Gangwon FC at home.

Suwon Samsung finished the 2023 K League 1 season in last place with 33 points on eight wins, nine draws and 21 losses, and suffered direct relegation to the K League 2 for 2024.

In order to avoid direct relegation, Suwon Samsung had to defeat Gangwon at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, just south of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, or have a draw against Gangwon and then also have rivals Suwon FC lose to Jeju United on Saturday.

However, the combination of Suwon Samsung's draw and Suwon FC's 1-1 draw against Jeju meant Suwon Samsung, who won four K League titles before the days of two divisions, will play in the second-tier league for the first time.

The K League introduced the promotion-relegation system in 2013.

Gangwon nearly scored on 33 minutes, when Yu In-soo struck the goal post with a right-footed shot, set up by Hwang Mun-ki's cross.

Suwon Samsung, after not mounting much in the way of offense, made four substitutions in the second half. One of the subs, Fejsal Mulic, tried to volley home a cross from Rodrigo Bassani but sent it above the crossbar.

Then during added time, An Byong-jun's header missed the target for Suwon Samsung, as they settled for the draw that sealed their fate.

Fejsal Mulic of Suwon Samsung Bluewings reacts after missing a scoring opportunity against Gangwon FC during the clubs' K League 1 match at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 2. Yonhap

As the 10th and 11th seeds, Gangwon FC and Suwon FC will play in the promotion-relegation playoffs next week for their one last chance to stay in the K League 1 next year.

Suwon FC also finished with 33 points, the same total as Suwon Samsung, but Suwon FC won the first tiebreaking category, goals scored, by 44-35.

Kim Geon-woong scored for Jeju just five minutes into the match, pouncing on a rebound after goalkeeper No Dong-geon made an initial stop on Jeon Sung-jin.

Jeju, with nothing at stake in their season finale, were in complete control of the match for the rest of the first half. But then Lee Yeong-jae came to Suwon FC's rescue on 50 minutes, scoring a free kick goal with his left foot to pull his club level at 1-1.

Lee looked for his second goal of the match on 69 minutes, only to be turned aside by goalkeeper Kim Dong-jun.

Suwon FC breathed a sigh of relief when Jonathan Ring's free kick struck the crossbar on 88 minutes, and they hung on for the draw that sent them to the promotion-relegation playoff.

Prior to Saturday, Suwon had managed one draw and two losses against Jeju this year, and had conceded eight goals without scoring once.

Suwon FC will face the K League 2 runners-up, Busan IPark, in the two-legged playoffs. Busan will host the first match next Wednesday and Suwon FC will play at home next Saturday.

Gangwon, who ended with 34 points, will play Gimpo FC, who defeated Gyeongnam FC 2-1 in a K League 2 playoff match Saturday evening. Gimpo will be the host for the first leg next Wednesday, and Gangwon will be the home team for the second leg next Saturday. (Yonhap)