The schedule for the 2025 Hana Bank Korea Cup round 2 between Suwon Samsung and Seoul E-land has ultimately changed.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) announced on the 7th that "the match schedule for the 2025 Hana Bank Korea Cup round 2 Suwon Samsung-Seoul E-land FC game (at Suwon World Cup Stadium) has been changed from the 22nd at 2 p.m. to the 19th at 7:30 p.m."

The KFA explained, "In light of the recent prolonged cold weather, we held a field meeting with the Suwon World Cup Stadium Management Foundation on the 6th and, taking into account their opinions regarding preparing for four matches from March 15 to the end of March, decided to change the match schedule as stated."

The Suwon World Cup Stadium Management Foundation has expressed concerns and difficulties regarding the grass replacement done last October, stating that they aimed to maintain it in optimal condition for Suwon Samsung's home matches and national team A matches, but the grass rooting is delayed due to colder temperatures lasting longer than expected.

A KFA official noted, "If it were a normal year, a schedule with matches every three days wouldn't pose a significant issue, but this time unexpected factors arose, such as the prolonged cold weather. We regret the inconvenience caused to Suwon Samsung, Seoul E-land FC, and both teams' fans by changing to a midweek match."

Additionally, the KFA added, "The home team Suwon Samsung hoped to maintain the original schedule (22nd) for the convenience of their fans; however, the association respected the foundation's explanations and position regarding grass management, and after comprehensively assessing the related situations, communicated with Suwon Samsung to decide on the schedule change."

The decisive reason for the schedule change, despite Suwon's wishes, is the grass issue at Seoul World Cup Stadium. Currently, the grass there is patchy and frozen, making it difficult to conduct a match properly.

Recently, during a match between FC Seoul and Gimcheon Sangmu, a player tripped over the grass, and there were instances of the ball unexpectedly bouncing. Lingard also pointed out the grass issue through social media after the match. The Seoul Facilities Corporation has stated their intention to conduct emergency repairs before the next FC Seoul home game on the 29th.

As a result, the KFA decided last month to hold the March A-match doubleheader not at Seoul World Cup Stadium but at Goyang Sports Complex and Suwon World Cup Stadium. The match against Jordan will take place at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th.

Due to this, if the Korea Cup schedule were to proceed as planned on the 22nd, there would be a situation requiring an A-match to be held just three days later. Ultimately, the KFA advanced the Korea Cup match by three days, citing concerns about the grass condition. It is unlikely to please either team. Both teams will have to endure a grueling schedule, having played their K League 2 match together on the 15th, then taking a three-day break before participating in the Korea Cup.

[Photo] Korean Professional Football League, Korea Football Association, Jesse Lingard’s social media.

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