Suwon Samsung's Kim Joo-chan (19)'s toes shone once again and became the main character of the "Suwon Derby."
Suwon beat Suwon FC 3-2 in the 36th round of the Hana One-Q K League 1 2023 at Suwon Stadium on the 12th. Suwon had a difficult game, with Kazuki being sent off in the first 15 minutes of the first half and Ugo Gomes losing the first point. However, Acosti's equalizer came in the final corner of the first half, and Ahn Byung-joon scored eight minutes into the second half to turn the game around.
Reed lasted less than seven minutes. In the end, Suwon FC's cross attack was finished with Kim Hyun's head to balance the game. It was the moment when Suwon FC's dominance was expected again.
It was Kim Joo-chan who shone in Suwon in crisis again this time. He was substituted in the 14th minute of the second half and shook the net with a clean shot after receiving a sensational pass from Mulich in the 33rd minute. It was a scene where Kim Joo-chan's sharp penetration shone.
Suwon kept Kim Joo-chan's fifth goal of the season to the end, earning its seventh win (eight draws and 21 losses) of the season. It succeeded in narrowing the gap with 10th-ranked Suwon FC (32 points) and 11th-ranked Gangwon FC (30 points). As of yet, the protagonist of K League 1's "Automatic Relegation" has yet to be determined.
Meanwhile, Kim Joo-chan, who was considered a good player on the day, looked back at the reporters after the game, saying, "I thought it would be a tough game, and it became a more difficult situation when Kazuki was sent off," but replied, "But I think I brought victory because I played desperately without giving up until the end."
When reporters then asked why he ran toward the away seat immediately after the score, Kim Joo-chan said, "I think it was the end of the fierce game, so I ran to the fans who always supported me."
Meanwhile, it is not the first time that Kim Joo-chan has scored the winning goal. He also scored the first winning goal at home against the Pohang Steelers on the 8th of last month, giving acting coach Yeom Ki-hoon his first victory. When reporters asked, "What kind of conversation do you usually exchange with acting coach Yeom Ki-hoon?" Kim Joo-chan said, "Even if I make a mistake, I think such a scene comes out of the stadium because you say 'do it confidently' and 'trust you'."
Kim Joo-chan's eyes now turn to the next game. He expressed his firm determination, saying, "It's not 'Let's do better, let's prepare', but just watch the upcoming one game and work hard and play until the end."