Pohang Steelers recorded consecutive league wins for the first time since the opening weeks of the 2021 season when they got the better of Gwangju FC 1-0 away from home. This was after the team had secured a 2-1 victory on their trip to the capital against FC Seoul. The Steelers now have two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five outings. A recent resurgence in form has propelled Pohang into the top half of the table, having accumulated 14 points in 10 matches this season.
Suwon FC, on the other hand, secured a stunning stoppage-time win at the weekend against Gangwon FC. That was the newly-promoted side's second win in 10 attempts this season, one that enabled the team to climb off the foot of the table. It was a welcome relief for the team after crashing out of the FA Cup to second-tier Jeonnam Dragons. Kim Do-kyun's boys have nine points from 10 matches this season and will be aiming to record their first away triumph at mid-week.
Team News
Pohang Steelers
Two of the potential Pohang starters on Tuesday, Kang Sang-woo and Shin Kwang-hoon were regular starters for the Steelers when they last met Suwon FC in 2016. Youngster Kim Jin-hyun had started against FC Seoul but was an unused substitute at the weekend against Gwangju FC. It will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old gets another start on Tuesday.
Lee Seung-mo leading the attack was a puzzling choice by manager Kim Gi-dong. So,
Borys Tashchy could be the more obvious choice to replace him in the attack. In midfield,
Lee Soo-bin could make way for club captain
Oh Beom-seok if the manager decides to rest the former for this mid-week matchup.
Lim Sang-hyub, who has been a real game-changer for the Steelers in recent weeks
could be another one to be reinstated into the starting lineup.
Suwon FC
Lars Veldwijk dropped to the bench last time out, so it will be interesting to see if he returns amongst the starters. Midfielder Han Seung-gyu came off the bench to score a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Gangwon FC and could be set for another crucial role to play in the second half for Suwon FC. In attack, another of last week's goalscorer Kim Seung-jun is expected to keep his place.
Two of the regular back four, centre-back Park Ji-soo and full-back Jeong Dong-ho are just a booking away from potential suspensions. On the other hand, new Brazilian signing Victor Andrade hasn't appeared since making his debut versus Gwangju FC earlier this month. However, his compatriot Murilo Henrique is expected to be amongst the starters and provide an attacking threat to the Pohang backline.
Head-to-Head
Pohang Steelers have a surprising record against Suwon FC. The Steelers have never managed to beat Tuesday's opponents in four previous meetings. All four of those matches took place in the K League 2016 season.
Despite Suwon FC finishing bottom of the table and getting relegated at the end of the season, they defeated Pohang in all four meetings between the two clubs that season. A trio of 1-0 victories and a 3-2 victory was recorded courtesy of Shin Kwang-hoon's 86th-minute own goal.
What to Watch
Tashchy off the bench: a better option?
Much was expected of Ukrainian striker Borys Tashchy when he made the switch to Pohang Steelers. Many expected him to straightaway hit the ground running but it has been a tough start to life in new surroundings for Tashchy. He finally ended his goal-scoring duck for his new club when he found the back of the net from the penalty spot against Gwangju FC.
That was a massive relief for Tashschy and Pohang. The 27-year-old didn't start against FC Seoul and Gwangju FC in the previous two matches. Those matches have seen Pohang pick up consecutive wins to breathe new life into their league campaign. On both occasions, Tashchy made a positive impact while coming off the bench.
But can this be a permanent solution for Pohang going forward? Will Tashchy again make his entrance as a substitute against Suwon FC? There are questions to be answered, but it seems that at least Kim Gi-dong has found a formula to grind out results.
Who to Watch
Lim Sang-hyub
Lim Sang-hyub joined Pohang Steelers from Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the close season, after guiding his former side to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals last season. He was an integral part of the Bluewings' all-Korean travelling squad in Qatar.
He came into a Pohang side which was shorn of attacking weapons, with several key players having made the switch elsewhere. The 32-year-old winger has started in four of the team's 10 league matches so far, coming on as a substitute and making a productive contribution in all the other fixtures. Lim has also managed to find the back of the net twice, including a composed winner versus FC Seoul last week.
That win seems to have kick-started the Steelers' season as it looks like they have started to gather some momentum. Be it from the start or from the bench, Lim Sang-hyub is again set to play a pivotal role on Tuesday.
Where to Watch
Fans in countries with K League overseas broadcasting rights can follow the game live on television. More information can be found
here.
Alternatively, the match is also available for FREE on
tv.kleague.com.
