The 'father' Cha Bum-kun, who offered advice on the Suwon FC storm... Coach Cha Du-ri: "He told me, 'This is just the beginning'" [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

"You are well aware that the current standings at this time are not important. He keeps telling me not to get excited and that 'this is just the beginning.'"

These are the words of Cha Du-ri (46), Suwon FC coach, who is riding a fierce upward trend this year. In the 2026 season, Suwon FC is in 5th place in the league with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses (15 points). This is the storm of Suwon, which is in its second professional season. Last year, Suwon recorded 10th place (out of 14 teams at the time), but this year, it is threatening the upper ranks with its tight organizational strength. In the recent four games, they have achieved three wins (one draw), showing no ordinary momentum.

On the 9th, Suwon will challenge for a three-game winning streak in a home match against SuwonFC at the 2026 Hana Bank K League 2 Round 11, held at Suwon Comprehensive Sports Town.

Before the match, Coach Cha Du-ri said, "The team's promised movements that we want are coming out within the box, and players in the desired positions are finding their spots. Although there are still some unstable aspects defensively, they are maintaining good spacing organizationally, so it seems the results are coming out pleasantly."

Coach Cha Du-ri also mentioned his phone call with his 'father,' former coach Cha Bum-kun. On the previous day (the 8th), on the occasion of Parents' Day, Cha Du-ri, who spoke with former coach Cha Bum-kun (73), said, "I told my father that I love him." He explained, "Currently, my father is running soccer classes in Gohyeong and Muju. He loves and enjoys soccer too much. He is trying to create an environment where local children can gather together to learn and play soccer. It seems parents are also feeling happy through this."

Former coach Cha Bum-kun, known as a 'Korean soccer legend,' accumulated rich coaching experience by managing the Korean national team and others. He often offers advice to Coach Cha Du-ri not as a father, but as a 'senior coach.' Coach Cha Du-ri said, "We also talk about my father and Suwon. He gives advice on what to do and says 'good' about the things we are doing well."

Although Suwon is on an upward trend this year, former coach Cha Bum-kun has not forgotten to offer advice. Coach Cha Du-ri said, "My father has been a coach for a long time, and my mother watched a lot of soccer from his side. He knows too well that the standings at this time are not important. So he keeps saying, 'Always stay calm and this is just the beginning.' When we win, the atmosphere at home is one of calming down. I have seen that kind of scene many times, so I am being as careful as possible, and I know that the game after a win is even harder. My parents also tell me to 'always be careful.'"

Meanwhile, on this day, Suwon deployed a 3-4-3 formation. Leading the front line, striker Kim Byung-oh is joined by Demetrius and Flana as the three forwards. Park Kyung-min, Lee Jong-seong, Park Jae-seong, and Kim Dae-hwan take on the midfield roles. The three-back consists of Jang Min-joon, Boyinovich, and Park Jun-seo. Kim Seung-keon guards the goal.

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*This content was translated by AI.