“There are only a few matches left to play with (Park) Joo-ho. I want to have more fun during the time I have left.”
These are Lee Seung-woo’s sincere words to Park Joo-ho, who announced his retirement.
Suwon FC lost 0-2 to Suwon FC in the 15th round of the Hana OneQ K League 1 2023 at Suwon Sports Complex at 6pm on the 28th. With this result, Gwangju is in eighth place with five wins, three draws and seven losses (18 points), while Suwon is in 10th place with four wins, three draws and eight losses (15 points) and has lost four straight matches.
Suwon had lost three straight games prior to this match. Suwon was in desperate need of a turnaround after their win over Gangwon on 6 May. They went into the match against Gwangju desperate for a victory, but they fell behind early on. Gwangju continued to harass the Suwon defence, led by Lee Hee-gyun and Thomas up front, while Jung Ho-yeon and Lee Soon-min in the centre completely dominated the Suwon midfield.안전놀이터
Gwangju finally got on the scoreboard. In the 32nd minute, Gwangju won a corner kick and Timo finished off a loose ball with a header. Gwangju added a second goal shortly after. In the 39th minute, Asani’s direct shot after a breakthrough deflected off the defence and into the net. The game ended with a 2-0 Gwangju victory and Suwon’s fourth consecutive defeat.
Lee Seung-woo came on for Jang Jae-woong in the 15th minute of the first half. He had scored his first goal of the season in the previous match against Jeonbuk Hyundai, so he was looking to score in back-to-back games. Lee formed a frontline trio with Ras and Murillo, knocking on Gwangju’s door.
However, Gwangju’s goal was hard to come by, and Suwon didn’t create many chances. Suwon completely lost the centre of the pitch to Gwangju, and the finer details of their attacking play were hard to come by. In the end, Lee Seung-woo could only watch helplessly as the score was 0-2.
Suwon now have another reason to bounce back. The team’s moral support and veteran Park Joo-ho announced his retirement. Park has played a total of 73 league games for Suwon, starting from the 2021 season until today’s match against Gwangju, making him a veteran. However, on the 3rd, he decided to hang up his boots after this season, and Suwon announced that his retirement ceremony will be held on the 6th at Ulsan Hyundai Stadium.
Lee and Park have a close relationship. Park Joo-ho is the senior and older brother who gives sincere advice, while Lee Seung-woo is the junior and younger brother who is closer than anyone else. In particular, they often refer to each other in public. At the Jeju Winter Training Media Camp in February, Park Joo-ho gave Lee Seung-woo some heartfelt advice on Lee’s European transfer speculation, saying that “summer is a better time to transfer than winter” and “mental strength is the most important thing in Europe.” Lee Seung-woo also gave Park Joo-ho some heartfelt advice.
Lee also had some witty words for Park Joo-ho. “My brother (Park) hasn’t scored a goal in the K League yet. I hope he scores a goal this season so we can do a dance routine together,” showing their close relationship.
However, Park Joo-ho is now leaving Suwon. Lee Seung-woo also shared his mixed feelings. “The absence of Park Joo-ho is obvious on the pitch and will be felt off the pitch, and the difference between having him and not having him will be huge in the locker room,” he said.
“Also, as the coach said, he plays more than the younger players and works harder than anyone else. With us in a relegation battle, he’s a more important resource than me or Lars. That’s why he’s leaving,” he said, expressing his regret.
And Lee had one last wish for the departing Park Joo-ho. There are still two matches left, including Park’s retirement match. “I want to have more fun with my brother Joo-ho because there are only a few matches left, but I’m angry with myself because it doesn’t seem to be working out. I think I need to prepare a little better,” he said, expressing his desire to enjoy the rest of the match with Park Joo-ho.
Finally, Lee wished Park all the best for the future. “It’s his choice, so I respect it. He has another life ahead of him, so I respect his choice very much, and I will support him in his second life.” The two-year chemistry between Park Joo-ho and Lee Seung-woo is about to come to an end. Suwon fans are looking forward to seeing their fantastic chemistry once again, along with an escape from the slump.