Jeju United faced off against Suwon FC on February 22, 2025, at the Jeju World Cup Stadium, marking the first friendly match of the K League 1 season. This exhilarating encounter ended with Jeju United suffering a disappointing 2-3 defeat, denying them the satisfaction of successive home victories after they started their campaign on a high note by defeating FC Seoul.
The match kicked off with Jeju United showing promise, bolstered by key players like striker Lee Gun-hee, who scored for Jeju, giving his team the early lead. Opting for aggressive tactics, they looked to build on their previous victory and control the game from the outset.
Jeju’s dominance was punctuated by their first goal, which arrived during the 29th minute when Lee Gun-hee rose to head the ball home, connecting perfectly with Nam Tae-hee’s well-placed cross. This presented Jeju with the confidence they needed, settling them at 1-0 as they went back to the locker room for halftime.
Trailing at halftime, Suwon FC regrouped and made strategic changes to their lineup, which had initially failed to penetrate Jeju’s defenses. They came out aggressively after the break, aiming to equalize. Their relentless pressure paid off quickly, when, just four minutes after the restart, movement from Lee Dong-jun resulted in Suwon’s first goal, leveling the score at 1-1.
Jeju responded to the equalizer with intensity and regained their lead at 2-1, thanks to Yoo Insu's composed finish after great interplay with Lee Gun-hee. But the joy was short-lived as Suwon continued to create chances, demonstrating their resilience by equalizing again through Park Sang-hyuk off of a corner kick, making it 2-2.
The final moments of the match are where the excitement surged, with Suwon capitalizing on their momentum. With the clock winding down, forward Won Gi-jong scored the decisive third goal, putting Suwon up 3-2 and sealing their first victory of the season. The goal marked the culmination of Suwon’s comeback effort and illustrated their tactical effectiveness.
Post-match, Jeju United's head coach Kim Hak-beom reflected on the game, stating, “We have to reflect on this loss and improve quickly for the regular season.” Meanwhile, Suwon’s player Park Sung-kyu praised his team’s performance, noting, “Suwon displayed resilience and took their chances effectively.”
The match not only served as preparation for the impending K League 1 season but also laid the groundwork for both teams. Jeju is left with lessons to learn as they head toward their next match against Gangwon FC, aiming to bounce back from this tough defeat.