"Hong Jung-ho's first bench → a surprise selection of center backs born in 2006." Director Lee Jung-hyo said, "It's not a rotation, because..." [the scene of Yongin]

*This content was translated by AI.

Suwon Samsung manager Lee Jung-hyo made a bold decision. Captain Hong Jung-ho (37), who played full season this season, will stand by on the bench, while center back Ko Jong-hyun (20) born in 2006 will start.

Suwon and Yongin FC will face each other in the fifth round of Hana Bank's K League 2026 at 2 p.m. on the 28th at Mir Stadium in Yongin.

Coach Lee Jung-hyo said in an interview before the game, "I don't think the lineup against Yongin is a rotation," adding, "The players are competing through training."

Suwon is currently leading the way with an overwhelming record of eight points and one run in all four games. Since Lee Jung-hyo took office, he has completely succeeded in improving his constitution.

Suwon's strength in recent years is its thick squad. Ko Seung-beom's condition is on track, and the pace of key resources such as Pesin and Jung Ho-yeon is also at its peak.

Suwon has Kim Ji-hyun at the forefront of the match against Yongin and Bruno Silva and Pesin on both wings. Ko Seung-beom, Kim Min-woo and Park Hyun-bin are in the midfield. Lee Joon-jae, Ko Jong-hyun, Song Joo-hoon, and Lee Kun-hee will take charge of the four backs.

What stands out in particular is that Ko Jong-hyun, a central defender born in 2006, will start, not Hong Jung-ho, a captain. Coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "Hong Jung-ho needs to control his condition. In addition, for the long-term race, we need to raise young players such as Ko Jong-hyun, he said. "I'm going to the game because the players did well in the training process."

Regarding the combination of the midfield, he also reaffirmed the principle of thorough and unlimited competition, saying, "The two players are going out because Kim Min-woo and Park Hyun-bin were better than Jung Ho-yeon during this training."

However, there are also variables. Kim Joon-hong, the main goalkeeper, was drafted under the age of 23 (U-23) led by head coach Lee Min-sung and cannot play in the match against Yongin. Kim Min-joon protects Suwon's goal instead.

Coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "I have more expectations that Kim Min-joon will do well than Kim Jun-hong's regret not being able to play. Kim Min-joon said, "I've been preparing well for the Yongin match."

As for Park Hyun-bin, who has recently performed well, he said, "Park Hyun-bin is a player who requested the club directly when he took the helm of Suwon," adding, "He emphasizes that there should be productivity such as kill passes or attack points that can create chances rather than just playing a lot."

The opponent Yongin has not won yet, but it is subject to alert as experienced players such as Seok Hyun-joon are in the lineup. Coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "Players are not excited about the atmosphere of the team ahead of its five-game winning streak. Even when they won four consecutive games, the atmosphere in the locker room just felt like a tie," he said, adding, "The standards they think are high, so they don't seem to dwell much on the record of winning consecutive games."

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*This content was translated by AI.