Is it Suwon Samsung reclaiming first place or Busan IPark defending it? This weekend the biggest K League 2 clash will be held.
Suwon Samsung and Busan IPark will collide in the 2026 K League 2 Round 9 at 2 p.m. on the 25th at Suwon World Cup Stadium. Currently Suwon is in second place with 6 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, 19 points. Busan is unbeaten, running alone at the top with 7 wins and 1 draw in 8 matches (22 points).
Although both teams are aiming for promotion, their records are almost opposite. Suwon, newly managed by Lee Jeong-hyo, has become the team with the fewest goals conceded, allowing only 2 goals in 8 matches. The defense centered on veteran center backs Hong Jeong-ho and Song Joo-hoon is among the best in K League 2.
By contrast, Busan, in the third year under manager Cho Seong-hwan, boasts the league's best firepower with an average of 2.25 goals per game (18 goals in 8 matches). Christian and Baek Ga-on each scored 4 goals to lead the team's attack, and Kim Chan and Gabriel also added 2 goals each. Except for the season opener, they have scored two or more goals in all seven matches and have been on a roll.
Judging by recent form, Busan is ahead. Suwon rode a five-game winning streak after the opener, creating the 'Lee Jeong-hyo phenomenon,' but have faltered against opponents whose tailored strategies—low defensive blocks and high work rate—shut down Suwon's strengths. Their winning streak ended with a 0-0 draw against Chungbuk Cheongju, and they recorded their first loss of the season with a 0-1 defeat in the following Gimpo match.
Still, Suwon earned a valuable three points with a 1-0 narrow win in an away match against Gyeongnam FC on the 18th. However, the match content suggested they have not yet found a clear solution. Having barely caught their breath, Suwon now must break through a Busan side with unstoppable momentum.
Busan has yet to be defeated. After drawing the season opener, they have recorded seven consecutive wins. The team tactics, changed from a back three to a back four last season, are increasingly taking hold. In fact, they were not considered a strong favorite for the title before the opener, but with their changed form they have overtaken even Suwon to sit in first place.
From the mood alone Busan looks advantageous, but it could actually be a good opportunity for Suwon. With Ilyuchenko and Kim Ji-hyun's goal droughts lengthening, Suwon may match up better against an attack-minded Busan. Since Busan is also expected to respond aggressively, fans can expect a heated contest that will satisfy their expectations.
The teams' lineups were released ahead of the match. Suwon will start Haes, Ilyuchenko, Kang Hyun-muk, Kim Do-yeon, Go Seung-beom, Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Kun-hee, Hong Jeong-ho, Go Jong-hyun, Kim Min-woo and Kim Jun-hong. Kim Ji-hyun, Bruno Silva, Park Hyun-bin, Im Ji-hoon, Park Dae-won, Lee Jun-jae, Mo Gyeong-bin and Kim Min-joon sit on the bench. Winger Kim Do-yeon, born in 2005, again stands out for starting.
Opposing them, Busan will start Xavier, Christian, Kim Se-hoon, Kim Min-hyuk, Lee Dong-su, Park Hye-seong, Woo Ju-seong, Jang Ho-ik, Kim Hee-seung, Jeon Seong-jin and Koo Sang-min. Baek Ga-on, Gutemberg, Gabriel, Son Jun-seok, Kim Dong-wook, Choi Dong-ryeol, Kim Jin-hyeok and Park Ji-min are named in the substitute list.
This match is expected to be a true test for both Suwon and Busan. If Suwon wins the gap will disappear, and if Busan wins they will pull ahead by six points. It could determine the first-half report card for the two teams that will fight for the title until the end of the season.<
[Photo] Provided by Korea Professional Football League (KPFL).
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