Suwon FC Women secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Seoul City in their WK League home opener at Suwon Sports Complex. Captain Ji So-yeon marked her return to scoring with a dramatic winner, snapping an 861-day goal drought dating back to November 25, 2023, during a playoff against Hyundai Steel Redangers.
Lineups and Tactics
Suwon FC Women lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Kim Kyung-hui in goal, Kim Hye-ri anchoring the side defense, and forwards including Choi Yu-ri. Seoul City opted for a defensive 5-4-1 setup, relying on quick counters led by Kim Jeong-mi.
Key players for Suwon included national team legend Ji So-yeon, world-class substitute Kim Hye-ri, speedy winger Choi Yu-ri, and recovered stars Haruhi and Lee Jung-min. Seoul featured talents like Im Sun-joo, Jeong Hyeon-kyung, and Kim Min-ji.
First Half Action
Suwon dominated early chances. In the 16th minute, Kim Hye-ri’s header from a corner forced a save. The opener came in the 19th minute when Haruhi, recently transferred from Hyundai Steel, converted her first shot of the match past Seoul’s keeper for 1-0.
Choi Yu-ri’s dribbling created further threats, with Ji So-yeon involved in intricate plays. Seoul responded with Kim Min-ji’s powerful 27th-minute shot rattling the post and Im Sun-joo’s headers testing Kim Kyung-hui. Suwon extended the lead just before halftime as Ji So-yeon laid off a pass for Choi Yu-ri to slot home calmly, making it 2-0.
Second Half Drama
Seoul City mounted a comeback push after substitutions, including Jo Ye-seong and Kang Ye-jin. They peppered Suwon’s goal with efforts from Seo Hyeon-min, Kang Yu-mi, and Han Cha-rim, but Kim Kyung-hui produced crucial saves, including a double stop in the 18th minute.
Suwon defended resolutely, with Ji So-yeon nearly adding a third in stoppage time via a curling effort that hit the crossbar. Seoul pulled one back late through a determined finish, but Suwon held firm for the 2-1 win in front of 906 home fans.
Implications for the Season
This result positions the Asian Champions League semifinalists as frontrunners in the WK League. Ji So-yeon’s resurgence highlights Suwon’s depth, blending experience with emerging talent for a title challenge.
