Bucheon FC 1995's remarkable season continues for another week following their draw with Seongnam FC on Sunday. According to K League classification, in the playoffs, the higher-ranked team, who are also the home side, need only a draw or a win to progress. In the Semi-playoff, Bucheon and Seongnam played out a tight 0–0 draw, but as the home side, Bucheon advanced.
Suwon FC are their opponents. They took the fight with Ulsan HD to avoid the final relegation-playoff spot all the way to the last day, but Sunday’s 1–0 loss to Gwangju FC confirmed their participation. Suwon have a strong recent record of avoiding relegation, and they will be looking to draw on that experience. Unlike the K League 2 playoffs, this tie will take place over two legs.
Recent Form
Bucheon finished the regular season in third, just five points behind runners-up Suwon Samsung Bluewings. Unbeaten since late September — 10 matches ago — Bucheon are in great form.
Competitive throughout the year, Suwon ultimately paid the price for losing eight of their final 14 matches. The victory in Anyang in the penultimate round raised hopes of a dramatic late push for survival, but it wasn’t to be. Suwon spent all but five Final B rounds in the relegation zone, and remarkably, only the top three teams scored more goals than Suwon in 2025.
Head-to-Head
Bucheon boast a very good record against Suwon, winning seven of the last 10 meetings. But their most recent clash was back in September 2020 and featured a rare Suwon win. There are very few survivors from either squad for past results to be especially relevant. Since winning promotion that winter, Suwon are now completing their fifth consecutive season in the top flight. Bucheon have never been promoted.
Key Players
Kim Hyeong-keun, Bucheon FC 1995.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper is a career K League 2 shot-stopper, apart from a solitary appearance for Jeju United in 2023. After that season he joined Bucheon, where he has been their number one ever since. Kim played in Bucheon’s first 38 games of 2025 before missing the last regular-season match — like most first-team regulars — against Hwaseong on the final day. In total, he kept 13 clean sheets, matching last year’s tally. Kim was named Man of the Match in the playoff victory over Seongnam on Sunday, and Bucheon will need him at his very best to repel Pablo Sabbag, Willyan and company if they’re going to end years of hurt and claim a maiden promotion.
Pablo Sabbag, Suwon FC.
Despite missing out on the K League 1 MVP to Lee Dong-gwang, Suwon’s Colombian-born Syrian international striker claimed the Golden Boot for his 17 goals in 34 appearances, along with a spot in the Best XI. Standing 1.90 meters tall, Sabbag is deceptively quick and naturally strong in the air. He can operate as a lone target man chasing lost causes or play alongside a partner. Only two of his 17 goals came from the penalty spot, and he scored with both feet and his head. Sabbag is an outstanding forward whose pace will cause major problems for the Bucheon back line, while his clinical finishing gives Suwon plenty of encouragement that he can deliver on the big occasion.
Where to Watch
