Korea Republic: Suwon Clinch Fourth Title Glory

Suwon Bluewings were declared the K-League Championship Final victors after defeating FC Seoul 2-1 in the second leg, condemning their title rivals to a 3-2 aggregate loss. It is the fourth time that Suwon has won their domestic championship since they first joined the league back in 1996. The arctic conditions and the sub-zero temperature failed to halt the boisterous atmosphere of a match which saw two extremely matched competitors duel for the crown of the Korean Republic.

With honours firmly even from the first tie, the outcome of the second leg was naturally unresolved and both Suwon and Seoul were relatively pleased with their performances from the 1-1 draw at the. After only a matter of 11 minutes passing on the referee’s watch, Brazilian striker Edu sent the majority of the 41,000-capacity Big Bird Stadium into an animated rapture when he opened up the scoring for the home team. Two penalties then dictated the conclusion to the match in a predictably anxious and agitating tie which is part and parcel with any final.

The celebrations from the Suwon faithful were, though, premature as football yet again demonstrated how delicate a one-goal advantage can be, especially in the erratic environment of a major final. Jung Jo-gook punished goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae for his untimely foul in the area by converting from the consequent penalty and thereby levelling the scoreline. Inevitably one club had to leave the final as the winners, but the difficulty remained that the match was so delicately balanced that few would dare to predict the result. It seemed that one goal apiece in either leg could not separate the champions from the lowly runners-up, until the unpredictable fate cracked its whip one last time.

Edu fell in the box following a challenge from FC Seoul’s Kim Chi-kon and the penalty was won. Former Feyenoord midfielder Song Chong-guk was the hero in waiting as he stepped up and can be forgiven for failing to score from the initial attempt as he fired in the rebound. The scoreline is arguably a slice of justification as Suwon did finish top of the league table, while FC Seoul pondered what could have been as they sorrowfully returned to the capital.

Suwon Bluewings' coach Cha Bum-kun said "I didn't feel as happy as this when I first won the league in 2004 because I wasn't able to do as I wanted as a new coach. I'm out of my mind with delight now and I want to praise my players who have proved themselves true champions.”

Suwon Bluewings’ goalkeeper Lee Won-jae broke history by being voted as the K-League’s Most Valuable Player, an accolade never achieved by goalkeeper in the award’s history. Suwon manager Cha Bum-kun was also received the Coach of the Year award to cap a lucrative year.