Suwon Finally Won FA Cup

Suwon Samsung won the FA for the first time ever since its foundation. It was also a victory "revenging" its defeat six years ago.

Yesterday, in the final of FA Cup held at the World Cup stadium in Cheju, Samsung beat Pohang Steelers 1-0, winning the championship and putting itself on top of all pro and amateur teams.

Founded in 1995, Suwon got the FA Cup for the first time. Suwon has won the regular league twice and got the championships of Asian Club and Asia Super Cup. Nonetheless, it had never won the FA Cup, which determines the number one team of all pro and amateur teams. In 1996, Samsung lost the FA championship to Pohang in a penalty shootout.

Samsung`s Suh Chong-won got selected the MVP of the tournament. Suh led Samsung to the championship with his excellent performance. For example, he scored the game winning goal against Daejun Citizens in the semifinal, recording in total 1 goal and 2 assitants.

The championship was determined by Sandro`s single goal. Right after the kickoff, Suwon turned offensive, and, at `19, Kim Do-hyun, seeing goalkeeper Kim Byung-ji dashing out, made a pass from the left corner of the box to the center, which Sandro, in turn, kicked into the net.

Pohang waged a series of attacks in the latter half. At `63, Lee Dong-gook made a very technical turning shoot, which failed to go into the net due to the excellent performance of Samsung`s goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.

Pohang`s coach Choi Soon-ho, as a souvenir of his debut in the pro league, tried to win the championship, but he had to swallow back his tears.

"World Cup goalkeeper" Lee Woon-jae did not allow a single goal throughout this tournament, proving his water-proof defense. On the contrary, Kim Byung-ji, who had given up his position to Lee Woon-jae during the World Cup, damaged his reputation again by rushing out carelessly.

Jong-Koo Yang yjongk@donga.com