"Players like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in do it, but..." An unusual 'SNS warning' issued by Suwon Samsung [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Both the manager and captain share the same view. Suwon Samsung launched a stern critique against the squad's complacent mindset both on and off the field.

On the 15th, Suwon drew 2-2 with SuwonFC in their home match of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 Round 22 at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

Captain Hong Jeong-ho and manager Lee Jeong-hyo, who played for 75 minutes to defend the backline on that day, jointly condemned the players' over-immersion in social media, which traps them in others' perceptions.

In a mixed zone interview, Hong Jeong-ho said, "Manager Lee pointed out the players' cowardly play after the match," adding, "It seems to mean making excuses or looking for reasons when unable to play with confidence." He further explained, "It's an attitude of creating escape routes by finding excuses like 'I couldn't see because of the lights' or 'the grass bounced' when mistakes occur."

This was a sharp remark about scenes where players, even in clear one-on-one opportunities, made foolish back passes or careless passing errors that led to goals. Hong Jeong-ho stated, "The manager emphasizes during training that when a shot misses and you're covering your head or staring at the grass, you should quickly get into the next defensive position and prepare for the next play." He continued, "There are not many teams where the manager and coaching staff provide feedback on every detail. Young players should not take this for granted but accept it gratefully and learn even more."

Manager Lee Jeong-hyo also strongly criticized the squad's passive performance during an official press conference. He said, "Players need to try boldly and grow through experience, but they played a game of passing the buck because they were afraid of being scolded if they made mistakes." He added, "I dislike most when players play half-heartedly, unsure whether to pass or dribble out of cowardice. They must reduce errors and actively attempt one-on-one breakthroughs."

Both the captain and manager shared concerns about social media over-immersion distracting players' focus off the field. Manager Lee Jeong-hyo first stated, "While it is natural for professionals to shoot videos or shorts for club promotion, it seems they are overly conscious of how their performance will be perceived before and after matches." He urged, "Do not let your attention drift elsewhere; think about what you can do for your teammates and dedicate yourselves solely to football."

Notably, Manager Lee Jeong-hyo directly addressed the social media issue before and after matches, citing promising Suwon striker Kim Do-yeon as a specific example. He said, "I told Kim Do-yeon not to use social media, but he broke his promise. He even sent me a screenshot saying he would quit, yet I found out he was still using it." He continued, "It seems he wants others' evaluations of his image more than the team's success, so I gave him direct feedback. Many players quietly prepare for matches, and when those who receive opportunities display poor attitudes, criticism is necessary."

Hong Jeong-ho also commented on players' social media over-immersion: "If players worry about others' reactions to their mistakes before even playing, they cannot confidently showcase what they can do." He added, "It's true that social media does not benefit the players themselves. If they lack the ability to control it properly, they should avoid it altogether to focus more on football. The manager said this to young players out of a desire for their betterment."

Furthermore, Hong Jeong-ho stated, "Even world-class talents like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in use social media, but young players can start later once they have grown to that level." He urged, "Now is the time not to let attention be diverted elsewhere but to focus solely on football and grow to the next level," repeatedly calling for his juniors' awakening.

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*This content was translated by AI.