Suwon Song: Port Face Koreans in Friendly

With the 2018 T1 season due to kick off in a little over a month, Port are ramping up their pre-season preparations with another friendly. Following the Leo Cup, which takes place 9-14 February (and for the moment that is all we know), Port entertain Malaysian champs Johor on 15 January, and will now be taking on Korean side Suwon FC on Tuesday 23 Jan at the PAT, with the usual KO time of 17:00.

Suwon play in the K-League Challenge, which is South Korea’s second tier, and finished a creditable 6th last season. They’re a fairly young club, having formed in 2003, though that makes them practically ancient next to the likes of Buriram & Muangthong. Having consulted the Korea chapter in Big Ron’s Guide to Racial Football Stereotyping, I’m expecting them to be a physical, pacey, well-organised side who should offer suitably challenging opposition for Jadet’s boys.

Tim Russell

The founder and editor of The Sandpit, Tim has been in SE Asia since 2003 and in Bangkok since 2012, where he runs a travel tech business. Tim has followed Port FC since 2014, and is also a fan of his hometown club Coventry City, and French club AS St-Etienne. He has written for the likes of Football365, ITV.com, NME and The Quietus, and is a regular contributor to God Is In the TV. He's a keen photographer and his work can be seen on his website.