Korea Republic men’s national team have warmed up for the Asian Cup final with a victory over Iraq.
 

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side edged Iraq 1-0 in a friendly at New York University Stadium in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Saturday, with Lee Jaesung’s strike on the stroke of half-time enough to seal their seventh consecutive clean sheet since the goalless draw with Wales in September.
 

The match against Iraq was their last opportunity to fine tune the line-up ahead of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals in Qatar. The continental championship takes place in Doha and Al Rayyan from 12 January to 20 February. Korea Republic begin their campaign in Group E against Bahrain on 15 January, before taking on Jordan on 20 January and then Malaysia on 25 January.
 

Klinsmann opted for a 4-3-3 formation, starting an experimental squad without established members such as Son Heungmin, Kim Minjae, Lee Kangin, Hwang Heechan and Cho Guesung.
 

Oh Hyeongyu started up front as a lone striker flanked by Jeong Wooyeong and Lee Jaesung; Hwang Inbeom, Hong Hyunseok and Park Yongwoo in midfield; Lee Kije, Kim Younggwon, Jung Seunghyun and Seol Youngwoo at the back; Kim Seunggyu between the sticks.


 

After nervy opening exchanges, Lee Jaesung exchanged positions with Jeong and Hong in an attempt to cause problems for the Iraqi defence. But it was the Iraqis that looked more likely to score after just three minutes, with Ibrahim Bayesi missing a crucial chance with only Kim Seunggyu to beat.
 

Korea Republic fought back through the flanks, with Seol Youngwoo delivering an inviting cross for Jeong Wooyeong who could only guide his header straight at the goalkeeper. Moments later, Lee Kije’s looping cross from the left fell into the path of an onrushing Oh Hyeongyu, whose volley was denied by the goalkeeper.
 

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes before the interval, when Lee Jaesung connected with a loose ball following Seol’s low cross from the right. The No10 then fired an unstoppable effort from the edge of the area to send the ball into the top corner.
 

However, the Iraqis almost drew level against the run of play, as Ali Jasim broke into the area only to be denied by a timely intervention from Kim Seunggyu yet again.


 

Klinsmann then called up all the key players at his disposal, with captain Son Heungmin, Kim Minjae, Lee Kangin, Hwang Heechan and Cho Guesung coming off the bench after the interval.
 

The reshuffle made an impact almost immediately, as Cho saw an audacious effort from the edge of the area denied by a fine save by the Iraq goalkeeper two minutes into the second half. At the opposite end, Kim Minjae made his presence felt with a clever interception to keep the Iraqis at bay.
 

Son Heungmin and Lee Kangin then worked out an impressive play on 66 minutes, when the latter put the captain through on goal with only the keeper to beat: Son fell down on the right side of the area whilst dribbling around the goalkeeper, but the referee did not award a penalty.


 

Nine minutes later, Son broke deep into the box to send a cross from an acute angle, only for Hwang Heechan to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from a defender.
 

Korea Republic were reduced to ten men with four minutes remaining, when Lee Kangin received his marching orders with a second bookable offence following a brawl with Ahmed Yahia on the right flank. Nevertheless, the men in red held on in the closing minutes for a 1-0 win.

Men’s national team friendly

Korea Republic 1-0 Iraq

Goal: Lee Jaesung 40’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu, Lee Kije, Kim Younggwon, Jung Seunghyun (Kim Minjae 46’), Seol Youngwoo (Kim Taehwan 67’), Park Yongwoo, Hwang Inbeom, Hong Hyunseok (Lee Kangin 46’), Lee Jaesung (Son Heungmin 46’), Jeong Wooyeong (Hwang Heechan 46’), Oh Hyeongyu (Cho Guesung 46’)