Korea Republic men’s national team got off to a winning start to their AFC Asian Cup campaign with a win against Bahrain.
 

Jurgen Klinsmann’s charges defeated Bahrain 3-1 in their Group E opener staged at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium in Doha on Monday, with Hwang Inbeom’s opening goal and a brace from Lee Kangin securing their twelfth win (four draws and a defeat) against the Gulf nation.
 

The victory saw the Taegeuk Warriors extend their unbeaten streak to 12 matches (six wins and six draws) in the group stage opener, since the group stage / knockout phase format was established in 1972.
 

However, their seven-game run without conceding a goal came to an end: Korea Republic had recorded seven straight clean sheets from the friendly with Wales in September to last week’s tune-up match against Iraq. They could have matched the second longest streak spanning from November to December in 1970, but they ultimately settled for an opening win in the finals.
 

The 2023 AFC Asian Cup finals in Qatar take place across eight venues in Doha and Al Rayyan from 12 January to 20 February. 24 participating teams are divided into six groups of four team, with top two sides from each group, as well as four third-placed teams with best results, reaching the knockout phase of 16 teams. Korea Republic have begun their campaign in Group E against Bahrain, before taking on Jordan on 20 January and then Malaysia on 25 January.
 

Klinsmann opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation: Cho Guesung started as a lone striker supported by attacking midfielder Son Heungmin, flanked by Lee Jaesung and Lee Kangin; Hwang Inbeom and Park Yongwoo in defensive midfield; Lee Kije, Kim Minjae, Jung Seunghyun and Seol Youngwoo at the back; Kim Seunggyu between the posts.


 

Korea Republic struggled to create any scoring opportunities despite enjoying most of the ball possession in the opening exchanges. It was the Bahrainis that looked more likely to draw first blood, as Mohamed Marhoon glanced his header just wide following a free-kick after seven minutes. Moments later, Park Youngwoo and then Kim Minjae received yellow cards for reckless tackles whilst attempting to stall the quick counters from the opposition.
 

Lee Kangin, who had started on the right flank, constantly broke into the middle of the park to deliver neat through balls into the path of forwards. Korea Republic had their first attack of note after 21 minutes, when Hwang Inbeom’s diving header off a Lee Jaesung header went just wide of the target.

At the opposite end, Korea Republic saw their third yellow card inside opening half hour with Lee Kije cautioned by the referee on 28 minutes.
 

Cho Guesung then saw his point-blank effort sail well over the bar, after failing to time his volley off a low cross from Lee Jaesung on the left.


 

The men in red finally broke the deadlock after 38 minutes, and it was Hwang Inbeom who stole the show. Kim Minjae found Lee Jaesung lurking into the left side of the area, and the No10 laid the ball across the goalmouth and into the path of Hwang, who curled the ball into the top corner with his deadly left foot.
 

The lead was to be short-lived, however, as Bahrain restored parity six minutes into the second half with Abdulah Al Hashash latching onto a loose ball amidst a goalmouth scramble.
 

Nevertheless, it did not take long for Korea Republic to take the lead again. Five minutes later, Lee Kangin rose to occasion with a sublime effort that went in off the left post as the keeper was left stranded. Kim Minjae had orchestrated that move, with another assist from the left side of the midfield.


 

Lee then scored another goal with his left foot after 69 minutes, when Son and Hwang worked on a fluid move from the centre to the right side of the box. Lee received the ball from Hwang before losing his marker and slotting the ball into the opposite post to score the third goal of Korea Republic.
 

Klinsmann reinforced his midfield to protect the two-goal cushion, as Hong Hyunseok came off the bench to replace Cho Guesung on 72 minutes. Son Heungmin moved up front to fill the gap left by Cho, whilst Kim Younggwon came on for Kim Minjae who had received earlier in the first half.

Son Heungmin and Lee Kangmin almost put the result beyond doubt with two minutes remaining, when Lee found Son lurking into the left side of the area. But the captain miscued his low shot with only the keeper to beat, as the match ended as Korea Republic’s 3-1 victory.

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023

Group E

Korea Republic 3-1 Bahrain

Goals: Hwang Inbeom 38’, Lee Kangin 56’ 69’; Al Hashash 51’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu(GK), Lee Kije (Kim Taehwan 53’), Kim Minjae (Kim Younggwon 72’), Jung Seunghyun, Seol Youngwoo, Park Yongwoo (Park Jinseob 82’), Hwang Inbeom, Lee Jaesung (Jeong Wooyeong 82’), Lee Kangin, Son Heungmin, Cho Guesung (Hong Hyunseok 72’)