FC Seoul and Suwon Samsung, the biggest rivals in the K League, are both leading their respective divisions, raising hopes for the revival of the 'Super Match' next season. Seoul is on the verge of reclaiming the K League 1 title for the first time in a decade, while Suwon is close to direct promotion to the top tier after three years.
Under the leadership of head coach Kim Gi-dong, now in his third year, Seoul is dominating K League 1. On October 18, Seoul drew 2-2 with Gimcheon Sangmu, bringing their points total to 66 (20 wins, 6 draws, 6 losses), a 16-point lead over second-place Ulsan Hyundai (50 points).
Seoul forward Kliemala from Poland scored twice in the match, bringing his season total to 16 goals, tying him for the league's top scorer with Ulsan's Jago from Brazil. If Kliemala wins the scoring title, it will be the first time Seoul has produced a top scorer since Dejan from Montenegro in 2013.
With six matches remaining, Seoul needs just three more points to secure the K League 1 championship. A victory against Gangwon FC at home on October 24 would clinch the title.
If they lift the championship trophy, it will mark Seoul's seventh league title and their first since 2016, tying them with Seongnam for the second-most championships in K League history.
In K League 2, Suwon, managed by Lee Jung-hyo, is firmly in first place. On October 18, Suwon defeated Hwaseong FC 3-2 at home, achieving their sixth consecutive win, a feat not accomplished since 2007.
Suwon has accumulated 59 points (18 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses), maintaining a five-point lead over second-place Suwon FC and third-place Seoul E-Land, both with 54 points.
The surge in Suwon's performance can be attributed to the impact of Colombian forward Luis Mina, who joined during the summer transfer window. After struggling with scoring in the first half of the season, Suwon's offense has thrived since Mina's arrival, solidifying their position at the top.
With five matches left, Suwon needs to add eight points to secure at least second place, allowing them to be promoted directly to K League 1 without going through the playoffs. If they add 11 more points, they will also claim the K League 2 championship trophy.
If Suwon achieves promotion, the Super Match will return to K League 1 in 2027 after a four-year hiatus. The rivalry match between Seoul and Suwon has historically drawn tens of thousands of fans and is considered a hallmark of league excitement.
The last Super Match in the top division took place on November 25, 2023, at Seoul World Cup Stadium, where Suwon won 1-0. However, they finished at the bottom of K League 1 that year and were relegated to the second division.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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