Suwon Samsung coach Byun Sung-hwan could not hide his anger over the dismissal of veteran players. Nevertheless, he promised victory in the next match.

Suwon Samsung lost 0-2 to Incheon United in the second round of the Hana Bank K League 2 2025 regular season, held at Incheon Football Stadium on the afternoon of 1st.

As a result, Incheon secured two consecutive wins at the start of the season, showcasing their status as a 'title contender.' Meanwhile, Suwon, identified as another title contender, collapsed due to consecutive dismissals and hung their heads. The season record now stands at one win and one loss.

The consecutive dismissals were a significant setback. Suwon gained a numerical advantage after Incheon midfielder Moon Ji-hwan was sent off with a direct red card in the 28th minute, but the advantage was lost when Lee Gi-je was dismissed in the 34th minute, followed by Kwon Wan-kyu receiving a second yellow card in injury time, leaving them with just nine players. In particular, Kwon Wan-kyu received a yellow card for an absurd foul of blocking an opponent's throw-in with both hands, causing him to hang his head.

Ultimately, Suwon collapsed, conceding goals in succession to Mugosa and Kim Seong-min in the second half. Although they created threatening counterattack scenarios led by Seraphim and Bruno Silva, they fell short by a slim margin.

After the match, coach Byun Sung-hwan appeared with a stern expression, expressing that the result was very disappointing. 'The situation turned out to be such that we couldn't execute what we had prepared at all. I am very angry,' he said, adding, 'I've experienced the joy of winning and shed tears of happiness, but I have also cried out of frustration. After the game, seeing the passionate support of the home fans made me tear up. There is so much I want to do, but the players have worked hard.'

He continued, 'It’s the first time I have seen two players sent off while playing football. I believe the players did their best within the limits of what they could do. Even with eight field players, we created opportunities. It’s never an easy task, and I appreciate the effort to fight until the whistle blew. As many people must have seen, if it were 11 against 11, we would definitely repay you in the next match.'

The dismissals of two veteran players disrupted the game plan. Coach Byun Sung-hwan stated, 'I don't want to talk about the referee's decision since it has already been made. I need to review it again, but Gi-je was definitely in a situation that could happen during the match. There was also a protective presence. I don't know. Anyway, it’s true that it became difficult because of the two. I plan to communicate this clearly. It is very disappointing that what we prepared for a week has gone to waste. This should never happen. I will assess the situation when I return to the team. I will not be silent.'

How did he spend the halftime? Coach Byun Sung-hwan said, 'It was a painful and complicated time. It is rare for two players to be sent off at once. We discussed a lot with the coaching staff on how to respond within the given squad. In the second half, we tried to position ourselves in a 4-3-1 formation, keeping the distance between Bruno Silva, Choi Young-jun, and Seraphim as narrow as possible. However, conceding an early first goal disrupted the plan.'

However, coach Byun Sung-hwan did not lose confidence. He stated, 'It's very disappointing, but we must accept the game result. When clashing on the field, both benches feel certain emotions. I acknowledge today's defeat. But I was able to have faith that we are definitely superior.'

Specifically, in what aspects did he feel a superiority? Coach Byun Sung-hwan explained, 'In terms of ball possession, positioning, and the intensity of the opponent’s pressure, I felt that we could certainly operate well from the back. Of course, the opposing coach may feel differently,' he noted, 'but I felt confident that we could do well in an 11 versus 11 scenario. If both teams had no mishaps, it could have been a better game. Both were unlucky. Incheon was rewarded with the victory, but I am upset. I will recover quickly and prepare to win the next game.'

The next opponent is another strong team, Seoul E-Land. Given that Suwon played with nine players, the physical strain will inevitably be high. Coach Byun Sung-hwan mentioned, 'The existing players are well-trained. The players who were not included in the starting lineup were also the best lineup from last year. I am not worried. Rather, it will create a good competitive atmosphere. I think it will motivate the remaining players.'

[Photo] Provided by the Korea Professional Football League.

[OSEN]