Suwon Samsung aims to escape the bottom of the table with a new face.
Suwon signed foreign striker Weric Popo on loan on July 19. Born in 2001, Popo is a 190-centimeter striker with a combination of flexibility and speed. His strengths are his aggressive runs and quick shot timing. He is a target-man striker in need of a source. Popo joined the squad after completing a medical on Aug. 18.
Suwon is still in last place, but the positives keep coming. In round 23, they beat leaders Ulsan Hyundai 3-1 for their first win in 10 games. They also closed the gap on 11th-placed Gangwon FC to one point. In particular, the new face ‘effect’ has Suwon and coach Kim Byung-soo smiling.
Faced with the prospect of relegation, Suwon made a move in the summer transfer window, bringing in defender Kim Joo-won early on. Kim immediately became the centerpiece of Suwon’s backline. He is not only a physical defender, but also a leader. He doesn’t hesitate to engage in productive debates with his teammates during matches. This has a positive effect on the squad.
The influence of Japanese midfielder Kazuki is also significant. Kazuki has been a mainstay since joining the team. His ball-keeping and forward passes have energized the Suwon attack. He’s also revitalizing other attackers. Foreign striker Mulicic has scored in three consecutive games, and Jeon Jin-woo, who has been missing chances, has registered his first man-of-the-match of the season.
Soo-Won adds to the mix with a four-pointer. With Ahn Byung-jun sidelined with a shoulder injury, the new attacking lineup is set to make a serious push to escape the bottom of the table. With Ahn’s absence and Mullich’s fitness issues, Suwon utilized a ‘fake nine’. They used a high-pressure strategy with Jeon Jin-woo and Myung Jun-jae up front. 먹튀검증
With the addition of Popo, the likes of Jeon Jin-woo and Myung Jun-jae will be able to play in their respective positions. It gives them more attacking options. Of course, Popo will need time to adjust to the K League and Suwon. The healthy competition between Mulicic and Popo, in particular, could have a positive effect on Suwon. Mulicic is a long man at 6-foot-3, but his strengths are his counterattacks and sharp shots rather than his passing. The return of Ahn Byung-joon will give Suwon the advantage of having a variety of attacking options depending on the situation and opponent.