Today is Samsung Day! Baseball claims a 'championship' for the first time in 12 years, while Suwon Samsung makes a swift return to the 'top division' in soccer after three years

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Today (the 8th) is Samsung Day. Suwon Samsung, a 'prestigious club' in professional soccer's K League, succeeded in returning to the top division for the first time in four years under the command of Manager Lee Jung-hyo. In baseball, the Samsung Lions, led by Manager Park Jin-man, achieved their first Korea Series championship in 12 years.

Suwon defeated Yongin FC 2-0 in a home game held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 8th in Round 32 of the Hana Bank K League 2 2026 season, powered by consecutive goals from Dubitskas and Reuben.

Continuing their upward momentum with an unbeaten streak in their last 14 matches (10 wins, 4 draws), Suwon recorded a record of 20 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses (66 points). As a result, Suwon widened the point gap to 9 points over third-place Seoul E-Land (57 points) regardless of the results of their remaining two matches, securing at least second place and clinching the automatic promotion ticket to K League 1, which is awarded only to the top two teams.

Suwon finished at the bottom of K League 1 in the 2023 season, suffering the humiliation of being relegated to the second division for the first time since its founding. Afterward, they worked hard to recover, ending their intense three-year stint in the second division and finally returning proudly to the top division stage after three years.

Suwon also leads second-place Suwon FC (60 points) by a 6-point margin. Accordingly, if Suwon adds just one point in their remaining two matches, they will secure the K League 2 championship early.

Suwon will aim for the championship trophy in the Round 33 match against Gyeongnam FC to be held at home on the 21st. Even if Suwon loses to Gyeongnam, Suwon's championship will be confirmed if Suwon FC draws or loses in their away match against Gimpo FC on the same day.

Manager Lee Jung-hyo, a 'star coach' who took over the helm of Suwon this season, demonstrated leadership by elevating the team to the top division immediately in his first year. Having led Gwangju FC to promotion with the most points in K League 2 history in his first year there in 2022, the manager has now guided a second K League 1 promotion in his personal career.

Suwon is a truly representative prestigious club of the K League, having won four K League 1 titles, five FA Cup (now Korea Cup) titles, and two Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League titles. Ahead of this season, Suwon appointed Manager Lee Jung-hyo and subsequently signed a large number of elite members with national team experience, including Hong Jeong-ho, Kim Jun-hong, Jung Ho-yeon, and Ko Seung-beom. Most importantly, they strengthened their squad by adding proven foreign investors Hayes, Lewis, Dubitskas, and Reuben, building a solid roster.

In the early stages of today's match, Suwon struggled somewhat against Yongin's fierce offensive pressure led by Gabriel. They also faced the misfortune of left-back Lee Sang-min being substituted due to injury in the 28th minute of the first half. However, they succeeded in seizing the initiative by scoring the opening goal in the 32nd minute of the first half. Dubitskas connected with a high-impact header at the front of the box from a corner kick delivered by Kim Min-woo, shaking Yongin's net. After the opening goal, Kim Min-woo also suffered bad luck, being substituted for Im Ji-hoon due to left calf pain in the 37th minute of the first half.

However, Suwon did not waver. Ultimately, Suwon nailed down the victory in the 9th minute of the second half. When Im Ji-hoon's shot bounced high off a defender, Reuben did not miss the opportunity at the front of the box, diving to connect with a fantastic bicycle kick to score the second goal. Suwon, who did not ease their offensive pressure until just before the end of the match, kept their goal shut out scoreless until the very end, securing a 2-0 complete victory.

After the match, Manager Lee Jung-hyo said, "I don't feel a great sense of accomplishment. Many fans wanted promotion, but Suwon has only just taken its first step." He added, "In K League 1, we must play at an even higher level, and more fans will come. To live up to expectations, this is where the real beginning starts. We will work solidly and consistently so that the prestigious club of Suwon Samsung never falls to the second division again."

If Suwon Samsung achieved promotion to the top division in soccer, the Samsung Lions claimed the Korea Series championship in baseball. On the same day, Samsung defeated KT 12-1 in the fifth game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason Korea Series (best-of-seven) held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park to claim the title.

This is Samsung's first championship in 12 years since their four consecutive unified titles from 2011 to 2014, and their ninth championship in club history. Since there was no Korea Series in 1985 due to a unified championship between the spring and fall leagues, this is their eighth championship won after playing the Korea Series.

It is also significant that it is an upset victory where the second-place team in the regular season defeated the first-place team. The most recent upset case was in 2018, when SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) defeated Doosan Bears, who were first in the regular season, with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses. With this, Samsung has become the club that prevented the regular season leader from winning for the first time in eight years.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original