Lee Woon-jae’s Suwon Samsung Won the Back-to-Back Asian Super Cup

‘The World Cup Spider Hand’ Lee, Woon-Jae (29, Suwon Samsung) was really a ‘strong man of shoot-out’s.’ The Suwon Samsung, letting Lee, Woon-Jae lead the team, won the 8th Asian Super Cup and completed back-to-back championship for the first time of the Cup history. The Asian Club Champion Suwon played against the Asian Winners’ Cup Champion Al Hillal at the King Pahad National Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Suwon Samsung lost by the score of 0-1, but recorded 1 win and 1 loss in total record, and won the championship after the shoot out by 4-2.

The Suwon Samsung, who won the 1st match at home by 1-0, so they could win the Cup even with a draw. However, the game was double scheduled with the K-League schedule, so the team was not fully consisted with starters and played a very difficult game. The player who played the central role in a team that was consisted with rookies and bench members was the Korean National Team goalie Le, Woon-jae.

The Suwon allowed a heading goal to Hicardo of Al Hillal at the 36th minute of the first half. The Suwon kept played a difficult game in the overtime with Park, Gun-Ha was ejected at the 44th minute of the second half; however, they did not allowed any additional goal and went to the shoot-out. Al Hillal seemed intimidated by Lee Woon-jae who beat Spain in the shoot-out at the World Cup, and the first and second kickers missed. The Suwon’s four kickers successively scored and won a valuable away victory.

Sung-Won Joo swon@donga.com