SEOUL — The South Korean men's national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, secured a much-needed 2-0 victory against Paraguay in a friendly match at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday. The win served as a vital psychological lift for the 'Taeguk Warriors' following their humiliating 5-0 defeat to Brazil just four days prior.
The match, however, began under a cloud of disappointment and skepticism. The stadium attendance was notably low, with only 22,206 spectators in the 65,000-seat arena, reflecting an unusual lack of enthusiasm for an A-match, perhaps stemming from the heavy loss to Brazil. Adding to the tense atmosphere, coach Hong Myung-bo was met with a chorus of boos and jeers upon his introduction.
Debut Goal and Tactical Adjustments
Despite the inauspicious start, the team showed resilience. Hong maintained the 3-4-2-1 formation used against Brazil, making key personnel changes, including handing Park Jin-seop a start at the center of the back three. The midfield pivot was manned by Hwang In-beom and Kim Jin-gyu, providing stability and linking play.
The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute by Uhm Ji-sung, making his first-ever start for the national team. A cross from left wing-back Lee Myung-jae caused confusion in the Paraguayan defense, and the ball fell fortuitously to Uhm, who calmly finished with his right foot. The goal, his first for the national team since January 2022, was a significant confidence booster.
South Korea dominated possession in the first half against a relatively passive Paraguayan side that lacked strong pressing and pace in attack. However, the home team struggled to translate possession into clear-cut opportunities, managing only three shots in the first half, highlighting a shortage of diverse attacking patterns.
Substitutions Change the Game
Coach Hong Myung-bo aggressively pursued tactical changes in the second half. Captain Son Heung-min, who played as a striker but failed to register a single shot in the first 45 minutes—mirroring his lack of impact against Brazil—was substituted for Oh Hyeon-gyu. Lee Kang-in also entered the game at the start of the second half, and his introduction proved pivotal.
Oh Hyeon-gyu immediately injected urgency with aggressive runs and shooting attempts. His efforts paid off in the 75th minute. Lee Kang-in, showcasing his vision, threaded a perfectly weighted through ball from the midfield after expertly shaking off his marker. Oh Hyeon-gyu latched onto the pass, going one-on-one with the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom right corner with his left foot for the insurance goal. The goal extends Oh's impressive run to four goals in his last six international matches.
The second-half performances of the substitutes, including Lee Kang-in's playmaking and Lee Jae-sung's tireless work rate on the left flank, significantly improved the team's cohesion and attacking threat.
Atmosphere Transforms
As the on-field performance improved and the second goal was secured, the atmosphere in the stands completely shifted. The subdued crowd, which had started with boos, erupted in cheers and even initiated a celebratory "wave," transforming a night that began with dissatisfaction into one of communal relief and triumph.
The 2-0 victory not only relieved the pressure on Coach Hong Myung-bo and his squad but also significantly boosted the team's FIFA ranking, potentially securing a favorable position in Pot 2 for the upcoming World Cup group draw in December. South Korea has now successfully closed out their October friendlies with a crucial win, offering a much-needed morale boost ahead of their next international fixtures.
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