Coach Cho Du-ri, recognized by Lee Jung-hyo... "He built Hwaseong FC well; it will get even better in the future" [Hwaseong Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Hwaseong FC of K League 2 concluded the first half of its second professional season with 25 points (7 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses). While its standing could drop depending on the results of other teams on the 7th in Round 15, as of midnight the previous day, Hwaseong ranked fifth among the 17th teams in K League 2. Considering the team finished 10th out of 14 teams last season with 9 wins, 13 draws, 17 losses, and 40 points, this first-half performance is "better than expected."

This is not a "flash in the pan." From the match against Jeonnam Dragons on April 11 to the game against Gyeongnam FC on the 31st of last month, Hwaseong played 8 matches over 50 days, suffering just one loss and achieving 6 wins and 2 draws. This was not a result against only lower-ranked teams. The team defeated top-tier sides such as Busan IPark and Seoul E-Land, and also held back other promotion contenders like Gimpo FC and Suwon FC. It was truly a "storm."

It cannot be denied that there are no players who can be called star players, and the club's financial situation makes it difficult to sign such star-level talent. In fact, even the head coach, Cho Du-ri, is a relatively inexperienced manager whose professional career began with the club. Nevertheless, in just its second season, "Cho Du-ri's Hwaseong" has shaken up the upper-tier landscape of the league and even the promotion race. It is only natural that K League fans' interest in Coach Cho Du-ri's leadership and Hwaseong's journey under his guidance has grown.

The match between Hwaseong FC and Suwon Samsung held at the main stadium of Hwaseong Comprehensive Sports Complex on the 6th fully demonstrated that Hwaseong is by no means an easy opponent. On this day, Hwaseong maintained its main formation of the season, 3-4-3, with only minor adjustments in the midfield. Given their recent upward momentum, Coach Cho Du-ri did not make drastic changes. During defense, they maintained a 5-4-1 shape, showing solid defensive strength, but when they spotted openings in the opponent's defense, they immediately launched sharp counterattacks.

Against such Hwaseong, Coach Lee Jung-hyo countered with tactics that shifted between a five-back and a four-back system. Depending on the position of Lee Jun-jae, tactical adjustments were made for both offensive and defensive situations. In defense, Suwon also effectively dropped into a 5-4-1 formation. Even considering variables such as the reduced number of available players due to the call-up of Yeon Ryeong-byeol (CEO), it was undeniable that Coach Lee Jung-hyo's Suwon made a tactical choice to prioritize "defense" from the outset. After the match, Coach Lee admitted in a press conference, "We focused on defending in the first half, prepared for counterattacks, and aimed to decide the game in the second half." Rather than overpowering Hwaseong, Coach Lee took the initiative to counter Coach Cho Du-ri's tactics.

Despite Coach Lee Jung-hyo's tactical response, "Cho Du-ri's Hwaseong" showed formidable strength. Playing cautiously throughout the first half, Hwaseong converted a single shooting opportunity into a goal, striking Suwon. In a set-piece situation, Jang Min-jun's left-footed non-stop shot shook Suwon's goal net. Afterward, Hwaseong engaged in a fierce battle with Suwon. However, Hwaseong struggled to seal the game until the 23rd minute of the second half, when it conceded an equalizer from Kang Hyun-muk. In the final moments of stoppage time in the second half, it suffered a heartbreaking reversal goal and bowed its head in defeat. In bad luck, a ball cleared during a corner kick defense happened to hit an opposing player's head and flowed toward the goal, leading to a concession. Hwaseong suffered a painful defeat for the first time in nine matches.

After the match, "victor" Coach Lee Jung-hyo said, "Both teams gave their all. I want to praise our players especially today." However, he also applauded the opposing team, Hwaseong, and Coach Cho Du-ri. Coach Lee stated, "It seems Coach Cho Du-ri has built Hwaseong FC well," and added, "I believe Hwaseong will get even better in the future." This was praise from a coach widely regarded as one of the best in the current K League, directed at "second-year professional" Coach Cho Du-ri and the Hwaseong club.

Coach Cho Du-ri, too, expressed gratitude to the players who fought on equal footing against Suwon rather than focusing on the regret of the loss. Coach Cho said, "We played an even match against a big team like Suwon. I am very grateful to the squad. The fact that Hwaseong, a club in its second year of existence, could play such a good game in front of so many spectators today is thanks to all the players working hard." He then credited the players.

Moreover, Coach Cho Du-ri said, "The players' performances in the first half were better than expected. They delivered much better game play and results than anticipated. I am proud of the players and want to praise them." He added, "In the second half, we will prepare well to deliver even better games that fans will enjoy more." Hwaseong will prepare for the second half through overseas training after a short break during the World Cup break. Although Coach Cho is still hesitant, this could become the full-scale preparation process to seize the "promotion opportunity" that has come to reality in just his second professional season.

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*This content was translated by AI.