Korea Republic’s national team for the Asian Games have rounded off their trip to China with a win and a defeat. 

Hwang Sunhong’s charges lost 1-0 to China PR in their second friendly game staged in Jinhua, Zhejiang, as Sun Qinhan’s opener on the stroke of half time proved to be the only goal of the match on Monday evening. Having defeated the hosts 3-1 on Thursday, the Taegeuk Warriors finished the series of friendlies with a win and a loss.

Hwang made seven changes to the side from the first match last week, with only goalkeeper Lee Gwangyeon, midfielders Kim Bongsoo and Jeong Hoyeon, as well as forward Goh Youngjoon remaining on the starting XI.

Cho Youngwook started alongside Goh Youngjun up front; Jeong Wooyeong, Jeong Hoyeon, Kim Bongsoo and Go Jaehyeon in midfield; Cho Hyuntaek, Kim Taehyeon, Lee Sangmin and Choi Jun at the back; and Lee Gwangyeon between the sticks.

Korea Republic struggled to find a breakthrough against the Chinese rearguard as they did in the initial encounter last week, whilst some of the key players suffered injuries following reckless challenges from the hosts. Jeong Wooyeong needed a treatment on his foot following a tough tackle by a Chinese defender, before Cho Youngwook suffered a shoulder injury after a mid-air collision and was replaced by Park Jaeyong on 22 minutes. 

The visitors began to knock on the Chinese goal with a Jeong header on 30 minutes, and then four minutes later Goh’s curling shot from the left side of the area went just wide of the target. Substitute Park Jaeyong tried his luck with a thunderous effort that the Chinese keeper managed to clear from danger.

Just as Korea Republic surged forward and piled the pressure, the host fought back against the run of play on the stroke of half time. Sun Qinhan rounded off a simple and quick counterattack with a clinical finish to give his side a slender lead.

 

Hwang responded by bringing Lee Taeseok and Song Minkyu on for Cho Hyuntaek and Kim Bongsoo to reinforce the attack after the interval. Song made an instant impact upon his introduction, causing all sorts of problems for the Chinese rearguard. However, the visitors were dealt another blow midway through the second half, as Goh Youngjun was injured and stretchered off following an unsportsmanlike behaviour from the opposition.

Korea Republic squandered a golden opportunity to restore parity in the closing minutes, when Park Jaeyong’s glancing header off a Go Jaehyeon cross went just wide of the left post on 82 minutes. Moments later, substitute Yang Hyunjun exchanged a quick one-two with Song Minkyu before firing a right-footed shot, only to be denied by the goalkeeper.

Meanwhile, the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 takes place in September, when Korea Republic will be hoping to claim the third straight gold in football following their successes at Incheon 2014 and Jakarta-Palembang 2018. The U-24 national team will take part in this edition of the tournament, since the Games have been postponed for a year due to the coronavirus outbreak.

National team for Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 friendly series

Second match

China PR 1-0 Korea Republic

Goal: Sun Qinhan 45’

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Cho Hyuntaek (Lee Taeseok 46’), Kim Taehyeon (Lee Jaeik 59’), Lee Sangmin, Choi Jun (Yang Hyunjun 80’), Jeong Wooyeong, Kim Bongsoo (Song Minkyu 46’), Jeong Hoyeon, Go Jaehyeon, Cho Youngwook, Goh Youngjun (Hwang Jaewon 59’)

First match

China PR 1-3 Korea Republic

Goals: Um Wonsang 51’, 54’, Jeong Wooyeong 60’; Su Haoyang 63’

KOR: Lee Gwangyeon, Lee Taeseok (Kim Taehyeon 81’), Lee Jaeik (Cho Hyuntaek 81’), Lee Hanbeom (Byeon Junsoo 86’), Hwang Jaewon, Song Minkyu (Jeong Wooyeong 46’), Jeong Hoyeon, Kim Bongsoo, Yang Hyunjun (Um Wonsang 46’, Choi Jun 69’), Cheon Seonghoon (Park Jaeyong 46’), Goh Youngjun (Cho Youngwook 46’)