The 'Bundes Experience' veteran also fell in love with 'Lee Jung Hyo Ball'... Hong Jeong-ho, "I've never seen a person like this before. Everything is different."" [the site of a water source]

*This content was translated by AI.

It is a class of center backs who showed high-quality defense in K League 1 last season and are considered second-class resources in the K League. Hong Jung-ho (37) made his debut at Suwon Samsung with a full season victory with a healthy look that coach Lee Jung-hyo wanted so much.

Suwon came from behind to beat Seoul E-Land 2-1 in the first round of Hana Bank's K League 2 2026 at 4:30 p.m. on the 28th at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

In his debut match in Suwon, Hong Jeong-ho played full season. Suwon's unique seasoned defense and relaxed game management added weight to Suwon's rear, which was considered an unstable factor last season.

Coach Lee Jung-hyo was also a unique presence for veteran defender Hong Jung-ho, who spent six years abroad playing in Augsburg in the German Bundesliga and Suning in Jiangsu, China. "Everything is different," Hong Jung-ho, who met in the mixed zone after the game, said of Lee, who experienced it in person. He's explaining one by one. At the end of each training session and every game, he catches and explains each player. I think the players should do that much better to the passionate coach," he said.

Compliments to coach Lee Jung-hyo continued. Hong Jung-ho said, "I don't think there is a director like this. He said, "He teaches with great care," adding, "Not only the coach but also the coaches are passionate. It touched my heart so much and I think I came to Suwon well. I think I continue to have a good influence to be a good leader like the director later, and I'm watching and learning from the side," he added.

Hong Jung-ho also said, "We've been together for about three months now, but he has so much to learn. "I think of the players is very different compared to other coaches," he said. "I saw the coach say he wanted to use a healthy Hong Jeong-ho, but I was constantly anxious because I met him too old. In order to repay that much, I want to repay you because you have taken good care of your body since the winter. I hope I can be a player who can repay the coach without getting sick until the end of the season," he said.

The highlight of the game was Lee Jung-hyo's winning move, who put four players, including Kang Hyun-mook, at the same time in the 27th minute of the second half. It was a situation where the defensive organization could falter, but Hong Jung-ho was calm. "I've already replaced up to five players at once during practice matches," he said. "There was always a lot of confusion every time I did that, but I think it hit me well because I'm well aware of that."

However, he confessed honestly that he also had experienced worries as a veteran. Hong Jung-ho laughed, saying, "I didn't know that I would replace four people, but it was my first game, so the players could have cramps, so I even told the bench to leave one sheet just in case."

He also did not forget to encourage goalkeeper Kim Joon-hong. Hong Jung-ho, who was with Kim Jun-hong during the Jeonbuk Hyundai period, said, "Jun-hong is a very good player. "Because it's my first game, the build-up is important, but I told him that he can just kick in front until the tension is relieved," he said, adding, "We were able to turn the tables with the strength of our strikers without additional runs."

Currently, Suwon is not 100% in condition or before joining key resources such as Ko Seung-beom and Jung Ho-yeon. Hong Jung-ho said, "The players are doing so well now. In particular, the players are better aware of the tactical part, he said. "I don't think it's half of my ability today, but as time passes and the game goes by, I'm sure the players will show good performance."

"Hoyeon and Seungbeom, who come in the back, are definitely important players for the team. I hope the team will continue to grow through good competition," he said.

Lastly, regarding the gathering of 2,4071 spectators, the most ever in K League 2, he said, "We will do our best to make this season a season that we can be proud of for fans who support Suwon, whether it is a big bird or anywhere," adding, "We will do our best to make this year a season where we can definitely win promotion and championship cups."

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*This content was translated by AI.