Having won the gold medal at the Asian Games last week, Lee Kangin kept up the momentum with a brace as Korea Republic claimed their second win in as many games.

Jürgen Klinsmann’s charges defeated Tunisia 4-0 in a friendly at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Friday, with Lee Kangin, Kim Minjae and Hwang Uijo scoring in the second half. Lee marked his 15th appearance for Korea Republic with his first international goal with a sublime free-kick, before finding the net again and setting up Kim Minjae’s header with a corner to record two goals and an assist in front of 59,018 fans at the stadium.

After claiming his first win as Korea Republic coach against Saudi Arabia in his sixth attempt last month, Klinsmann led the Taegeuk Warriors to another victory in front of home crowd. It is fair to say that his men have put the recent goal drought behind them, as they scored no fewer than four goals against the North Africans after finding the net only twice in four previous matches. Having recorded two wins, three draws and two defeats since the German took charge, Korea Republic are set to take on Vietnam in Suwon on Tuesday.

These friendlies are their last chance to fine-tune their organisation before they take part in the second round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in November. Klinsmann has called up all the players at his disposal, with the likes of Son Heungmin and Kim Minjae joined by a quartet from the Asian Games winning side – Lee Kangin, Jeong Wooyeong, Hong Hyunseok and Seol Youngwoo.

Klinsmann said in the pre-match press conference a day earlier: “These games will be our last friendlies before the second round of World Cup qualifiers and the Asian Cup. I’d like to show the fans some good football as this is the fourth time that the players will have come together since I was appointed.”

Captain Son Heungmin was rested on the bench due to groin problems, and replaced by Lee Kangin who had missed out on the national team after suffering an injury last month. There was a last-minute change in the starting lineup as Hong Hyunseok replaced Hwang Inbeom, who had strained his thigh muscle during the pre-game warmup.

Korea Republic faced Tunisia in a 4-4-2 formation: Cho Guesung and Lee Kangin up front; Hwang Heechan, Park Yongwoo, Hong Hyunseok and Lee Jaesung in midfield; Lee Kije, Kim Minjae, Jung Seunghyun and Seol Youngwoo at the back; and Kim Seunggyu between the sticks.

The first half was rather an uneventful affair, with fullback Lee Kije’s 24th minute effort being the only shot on target in the opening period. Korea Republic struggled to find a breakthrough against the solid Tunisian rearguard, with Hwang Heechan and Lee Kangin trying to break their defensive lines to no avail. 
 

Lee Kangin came to the rescue when it mattered most. Despite winning the gold medal at the latest edition of the Asian Cup, Lee struggled to find his rhythm after recovering from the recent injury. But he finally rediscovered his form in the senior national team, tearing the opposition apart with audacious dribbling and accurate passes.

His quick-fire goals inside two minutes early in the second half sent the home crowd into raptures. First goal was from his trademark free-kick ten minutes into the second half, and then two minutes later Lee broke into the right side of the area, lost his marker and put the ball inside the near post to make it 2-0.

Lee then turned provider for Korea Republic’s third goal of the night, curling an inviting corner for Kim Minjae to glance a header in off a Tunisia defender amidst a goalmouth scramble. Korea Republic kept the visitors at bay in the closing minutes, before substitute Hwang Uijo rounded off the goal fest deep into added time.

International friendly presented by Hana Bank

Korea Republic 4-0 Tunisia

Goals: Lee Kangin 55’, 57’, Kim Minjae 67’, Hwang Uijo 90’+1

KOR: Kim Seunggyu, Lee Kije, Kim Minjae, Jung Seunghyun, Seol Youngwoo (Kim Taehwan 81’), Park Yongwoo, Hong Hyunseok (Lee Soonmin 81’), Hwang Heechan (Jeong Wooyeong 68’), Lee Kangin (Moon Seonmin 90’), Lee Jaesung, Cho Guesung (Hwang Uijo 68’)