Newcastle Faces Tough K League XI Test in Suwon Showdown
Newcastle United have touched down in South Korea and taken to the pitch at Suwon World Cup Stadium, but things haven’t exactly gone according to plan in their first-ever fixture in the country. As part of their pre-season tour across Asia, the Magpies lined up against a spirited Team K League — a side made up of some of the best talent from South Korea's top division — and the match quickly turned into a testing encounter.
Eddie Howe made three notable changes from the team that narrowly lost 3-2 to Arsenal in Singapore. Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, and Emil Krafth were all handed starts, with Livramento stepping in at right-back, and Krafth joining captain Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the defence. Nick Pope remained in goal, while Alex Murphy slotted in at left-back, showing promise in a slightly reshuffled backline.
In midfield, Miley — who impressed with an assist against Arsenal — started alongside Sandro Tonali and Joe Willock. Up front, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon worked the flanks, looking to provide service for young striker William Osula, who continues to fill in during Alexander Isak's absence.
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There was some excitement on the bench too. Lewis Hall returned after a long injury layoff, and 18-year-old Seung-soo Park — recently signed from Suwon Bluewings — was listed among the substitutes, raising hopes of a home-soil debut.
As the game unfolded, the K League XI, managed by Ulsan’s Kim Pan-gon, showed they were not just here for the spectacle. Kim Jin-gyu broke the deadlock in the first half, calmly slotting past Pope after a clever setup from Jeon. While Newcastle had chances — Elanga coming close with a sharp effort and Gordon flashing one wide — the Korean side looked composed and sharp, clearly buoyed by a passionate home crowd and the rare opportunity to face Premier League opposition.
The pre-match festivities included a K-pop performance by IVE, setting the tone for a high-energy evening. Despite the heat and traffic delays affecting arrival times, fans filled the “Big Bird” stadium, creating a memorable atmosphere.
Newcastle still have one more match on the tour — against Tottenham Hotspur at Seoul World Cup Stadium — and Howe will be looking to iron out some kinks and build momentum. While Sven Botman sat this one out due to a knock from the Arsenal game, he might return for the Spurs clash.
This K League clash served as a reality check and a showcase of Asian football talent. And for Newcastle, it’s a reminder that pre-season is as much about learning and adjusting as it is about results.
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