Busan I’Park Triumphs in First Leg of K-League Promotion Playoffs
By Geon-do Park, Star News Reporter | 2023.12.09 06:31
Following a hard-fought victory in the first leg of the playoffs (PO) against Suwon FC, the players of Busan I’Park are in high spirits. This pivotal win places them in a strong position as they aim to secure their spot in the K-League 1 for the upcoming year. The team capitalized on their home advantage, securing a 2-1 victory at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 6th of December. Notably, in this promotional PO, there is no away goals rule, adding to the intensity of the competition.
In a thrilling match, Suwon FC’s Jang Jae-woong scored the opening goal, only to see Busan’s Lamas equalize with consecutive penalties in the second half. However, the turning point came when Suwon’s key striker, Lee Seung-woo, received cumulative warnings and was sent off in the midst of the game. With 10 goals to his name in the K-League 1 this season, Lee Seung-woo’s absence in the second leg will undoubtedly impact Suwon FC’s performance.
Busan I’Park, previously relegated to the bottom second division of K-League 1 in 2020, has shown remarkable resilience in their pursuit for promotion. This year, they emerged as a strong contender, finishing the regular league in second place with 70 points. Meanwhile, Suwon FC, following their return to K-League 1 in 2021 after a five-year absence, faced a sudden mid-season decline, leading them to the PO promotion. Their upcoming showdown with Busan I’Park at Suwon Stadium on the 10th will be a decisive moment for both teams.
Other Playoff Matches
Alongside the Suwon FC vs. Busan I’Park clash, the playoffs feature another intriguing matchup between Gangwon FC and Gimpo FC. Gimpo FC, led by coach Go Jeong-woon, has been a standout team in the K-League 2 this year, showcasing a solid defensive record and earning a place in the PO team for the second season in their history. On the other hand, Gangwon FC, after narrowly avoiding relegation in 2021, finds themselves back in the playoff picture, aiming to secure promotion after two years.
The intensity of these playoff matches underscores the competitive spirit and determination of the teams as they vie for their place in the upcoming season of the K-League 1.
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Geon-do Park Star News Reporter | 2023.12.09 06:31
Busan I’Park players are happy after winning the first leg of the playoffs (PO) against Suwon FC. /Photo provided by Seungwoo Lee (right) of Suwon FC of the Korean Professional Football League. /Photo provided by Korea Professional Football League Suwon FC and Busan I’Park meet at the single tree bridge to decide whether to stay in the K 1 League or be promoted next year. Suwon FC and Busan will face off in the second round of the Hana One Q K-League Promotion (PO) playoffs held at Suwon Stadium at 2 pm on the 10th.
Busan capitalized on the advantage by defeating Suwon FC 2-1 in the first leg of the PO relegation held at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium, their home stadium, on the 6th. There is no away goals rule in this promotional PO. If both teams cannot decide the winner by the total of the first game and the second game within 180 minutes, overtime will go into overtime.
In the first match, Suwon FC lost despite Jang Jae-woong (22) scoring the first goal, conceding consecutive penalties to Lamas (29) in the second half. In the second half, there was bad news as key striker Lee Seung-woo (25) was sent off due to cumulative warnings. Lee Seung-woo, who recorded the highest score at Suwon FC with 10 goals in K-League 1 this season, will not be able to play in the second leg.
Busan players rejoice after scoring. / Photo provided by Suwon FC after the first leg of the Korean Professional Football League PO promotion / relegation match. / Photo provided by Korea Professional Football League Busan was relegated to the bottom second division of K League 1 in 2020. In 2021 and 2022, they finished in 5th and 11th place, respectively. They managed to bounce back this year and had a chance for promotion in the quarter-finals of K-League 2, but in the last game, against Cheongju in North Chungcheong Province, they drew 1-1 and finished the regular league in second place (70). points), behind Gimcheon Sangmu (71 points). Suwon FC drew with Gyeongnam FC in the final match of the 2020 K-League Promotion PO and returned to K-League 1 in 2021 after five years. In the first season of the promotion, they managed to progress to the A Final, coming 5th, and finishing in 2022 in 7th place. This year, they fell into a sudden slump mid-season and dropped to 11th place, going into the PO promotion. Suwon Samsung, from the same hometown, finished the regular league in last place and was relegated for the first time in the club’s history.
At the same time, K League 10th placed team 10th Gangwon FC meets K League 2 3rd placed Gimpo FC in the second round of the promotion / relegation PO match. The first leg held at Gimpo’s home ground ended in a 0-0 draw.
Gimpo, which was evaluated as a relatively weak team, was the center of K-League 2 sensation this year. Under the guidance of coach Go Jeong-woon (57), the Red Tomatoes conceded the least number of goals in the league and managed to get promoted to the PO team in the second season since its establishment.
Gangwon will be playing a PO promotion game for the first time in two years. Gangwon, ranked 11th in the 1 K League in 2021, managed to stay in the 1 K League with a total score of 4-2 in the first and second games of the PO match against Daejeon Hanati Season, which was the second division in time.
Ko Jeong-woon, coach of Gimpo FC. /Photo courtesy of Korean Professional Football League Gangwon FC striker Kim Dae-won (center). /Photo provided by Korea Professional Football League
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