"The difference between Japan and South Korea is clear," director Lee Jung-hyo said, "It's a secret recipe," while transplanting "Japanese style" to Suwon..." [the site of a water source]

*This content was translated by AI.

Manager Lee Jung-hyo, who is considered the best tactician in the K-League in name and reality, is stepping up efforts to improve Suwon Samsung's constitution based on a secret recipe that absorbs the strengths of Japanese soccer. Coach Lee Jung-hyo's move is all the more remarkable as K-League teams have lost their pride by being wiped out on the Asian stage this season.

In an interview before the third round of Hana Bank K League 2 2026 between Suwon Samsung and Jeonnam Dragons on the afternoon of the 14th, coach Lee Jung-hyo hinted that he is deeply studying Japanese soccer tactics and transplanting them into Suwon.

On the Japanese tactical transplant, coach Lee Jung-hyo smiled, saying, "It's a secret recipe," and added, "This is a really big asset. Suwon is currently moving in that direction. "I didn't explain it to the players in detail, but I'm making sure they get used to the tactics without even realizing it through each training," he said.

The reason why head coach Lee Jung-hyo maintains security and transplants Japanese-style tactics is because he recently recognized the clear difference between Korean and Japanese soccer. In fact, the K-League received a disastrous report card at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACLE) stage this season. Following Ulsan HD's elimination from the league stage, FC Seoul, which suffered a come-from-behind loss to Vissel Kobe, and Gangwon FC, which was hampered by Machida Zelvia, were all eliminated in the round of 16. On the other hand, Japan's J-League showed a sharp gap as two teams, Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia, advanced to the quarterfinals.

In response to this reality, coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "There is a big difference between Korean and Japanese soccer. However, I don't think there is a need to disclose the specific tactical differences I have identified to the outside world," he said, declining to comment. "We know exactly the direction Korean soccer should go. For Suwon players, we emphasized not to get caught up in the opponent's tempo and to focus on the game while maintaining our tempo," he added.

Manager Lee Jung-hyo has already written the history of advancing to the quarterfinals of the Asian Club Competition for the first time by overturning the 0-2 defeat in the first round against Vissel Kobe during the round of 16 of ACLE in the 2024-2025 season when he was at Gwangju FC. Coach Lee Jung-hyo, who has personally experienced and overcome the potential of Japanese soccer, said, "I felt a lot while facing Japanese teams in Miyazaki's off-season training," adding, "We are moving in that direction in search of a certain tactical answer through a confrontation." We are continuously melting the correct answers in training after discussing with the analysis team, the coaches, and the physical team," he said, expressing confidence.

In particular, coach Lee Jung-hyo, who emphasized tactical security, said, "There is no reason to expose the strategy because the more you are exposed to the media, the better the way the opposing teams respond. That's a real help to our players and the team."

"There is also a desire to share measures for the development of Korean soccer, but considering the current situation in Suwon, we decided that it is right to maintain security," he said, stressing that he is focusing only on promotion, the team's long-cherished desire.

However, time is needed to implement soccer unique to coach Lee Jung-hyo. Regarding Suwon's recent trend, head coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "The players are frustrated because their actual performance is not as good as during practice, but it is encouraging to see them going crazy little by little in football. It will be better in the future," he added.

Meanwhile, Suwon overpowered Jeonnam 2-0 and the game ended in a complete victory. As a result, Suwon has won all three of the opening games since Lee Jung-hyo took office, continuing its competition to lead the K League 2 with Suwon FC (3 wins).

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*This content was translated by AI.