Serene September offers Suwon a Priceless Chance | OneFootball

On paper, at least, Suwon Samsung will be pleased with the four fixtures they must fulfill in September. They face three of the bottom four and old foes Busan IPark. If Suwon are to maintain an unlikely championship push, they need to end September with a maximum haul.

Byun Seong-hwan is a manager under pressure. After a brilliant start to August - Suwon dispatched the top 2, Anyang and Jeonnam in Yongin -  the Bluewings suffered a third defeat of the season to Seoul E-Land. That was followed by more dropped points in Cheongju but they can at least cling on to the fact they came from 2-0 down to salvage a draw.

September's schedule is remarkably friendly, but as we discussed earlier this week, the bottom ranked clubs are collecting more points this season than last term. The top sides are losing to those at the foot of the table, and everyone else is drawing in between. It would be foolish to assume Byun's men are assured of maximum points this month, but if they want to chase down a faltering Anyang, that's exactly what they need to do.

Complicating the issue is Suwon have nowhere near a perfect record thus far against any of their opponents. In fact, they've yet to even record a victory over Gyeongnam FC - now managerless - and were outclassed in Tancheon under the dark days of Yeom Ki-heon. But they can't think of that now; the only way to the top is by picking up three points. Here are Suwon's matches this month.

Cheonan City FC - this Saturday, Yongin Mireu

2024-05-11 (h): Lost 1-0

2024-07-13 (a): Won 2-1

It is hard to pinpoint exactly where the bottom of the barrel was during Yeom Ki-hun's final month, but it might have been this loss at home to Cheonan. The visitors, who won the game thanks to Bruno Mota's second-half strike, embarrassed Suwon in foul conditions at Big Bird. The home team were booed off at the final whistle, not helping their cause by sleeping defensively and missing absolute sitters in front of goal.

Byun did exact some revenge in the return fixture, but it was a close call. As is familiar, Suwon fell behind but this time found the wherewithal to bludgeon themselves to victory.Paulinho, now a Bluewing, scored the opener on the stroke of half time for Cheonan. Lee Gyu-dong and Kim Sang-jun (in the 91st minute) completed the comeback. It wasn't pretty but it felt like an enormous victory at the time.

Seongnam FC - Saturday, September 22, Tancheon Stadium

2024-05-05 (a): Lost 2-1

2024-06-22 (h): Won 3-0

As with all the games in these mini series, the first fixture was during Yeom's tenure. And, much like against Cheonan, Yeom and Suwon suffered defeat in their first meeting with Seongnam this season. In horrible conditions, Kim Hoon-min scored aworldie seven minutes into added-on time to make the game safe for his team. Kim collected a loose pass inside his own half, was allowed to advance forward unchecked until Cho Yoon-seong bought a dummy, and the midfielder curled a gorgeous shot home with his left peg.

In the return game, Seongnam, now entering the desperate phase of their season, was utterly slaughtered by a rampant Suwon. The gloom of the previous management regime was lifted on a steamy June evening. The pick of the goals was scored by veteran midfielder Kim Bo-kyoung (below). New signing Peter Makrillos fed the unmarked Kim on the edge of the box, and the former international opened his body and curled a delicious shot first time into the side of the net. Class.

Busan IPark - Wednesday, September 25, Yongin Mireu

2024-03-31 (h): Lost 1-0

2024-06-02 (a): Drew 1-1

Busan IPark - then under the control of Park Jin-sub - inflicted Suwon's first-ever tier two defeat at Big Bird. Although they had already lost to Seoul E-Land in Mokdong, this felt like the season's first real championship decider. The meeting of the former League and Asian winners, and joint favorites for promotion. How wrong we were. Ricardo Lopes, who's goals helped keep Suwon FC in the top flight at the expense of Suwon in 2023, set up the winner for Fessin. And boy, did he love it.

The return was Byun's first in charge of the Bluewings. After a massive losing streak, a 1-1 would have been gobbled up by most in the away end, despite Busan's horrendous home form in 2024. Song Ho-young gave Busan the lead just after the break but it was left to the much-maligned Lee Jong-seong (by me) to score a crucial late equalizer and ensure the former Anyang player did not get off to a losing start as new boss.

It is worth pointing out that, at writing, Busan have the best away form in the league and their new manager, Cho Seung-hwan, is extremely experienced.

Gyeongnam FC - Saturday, September 28 - Changwon Football Center

2024-04-28 (h): Drew 1-1

2024-06-15 (a): Drew 0-0

It was the last minute point salvaged against Gyeongnam that kickstarted Yeom's downfall as Suwon manager. The previous week, they played with swagger and assurance to blow away then-leaders FC Anyang and climb to the league's summit. With time running out, Yeom reverted to classic route one football- lump it up to the big men. Fejsal Mulic, off the bench, joined Kim Hyun up top, and they combined for the equalizer.

Both teams settled for a drew in a largely uninspiring 0-0 when they last met during a midweek June meeting. The game's best chance was created and saved by two players not on the Bluewings pay roll anymore. With time running out, Jeon Jin-woo collected Kim Hyun's low cross, turned onto his right foot, and hammered a drive destinated for the roof of the net. Sadly for Suwon, Japanese midfielder Kazuki, now at Seoul, headed Jeon's goal bound effort over the bar.

What needs to happen:

To keep their automatic promotion hopes alive, Suwon need 12 points from 12. With the other teams constantly dropping points, a maximum return would parachute Suwon to, at worst, third, and firmly in the picture. If they want to maintain their soft grip on fifth, then no less than nine will be sufficient. Busan are not the only side looking to pounce on any slip ups.

What I predict:

7 points. My predictions are usually wrong so fear not, dear Suwon reader. But I expect the Bluewings to beat Cheonan and Seongnam, lose to Busan, and draw for the third time this campaign against Gyeongnam. This prediction isn't designed to question Byun Seong-hwan. But we know how K League 2 likes to throw up surprises. As the old cliche goes, there are no easy games. But I think September is where Suwon's title bid ends.