*This content was translated by AI.
'Captain' Son Heung-min (34, LAFC) scored a brace.
'Ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings, South Korea led 2-0 at halftime against 102nd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly match held at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 31st at BYU South Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
'South Korea deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation. Leading the front line was Son Heung-min, with Lee Dong-gyeong and Bae Jun-ho on the left and right flanks respectively. The midfield was composed of Kim Jin-gyu and Baek Seung-ho. On the left wing-back position was Jens Castrof, and on the opposite side was Kim Moon-hwan. The back three consisted of Lee Han-beom, Cho Yu-min, and Lee Gi-hyeok. Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo wore the gloves.
'South Korea recorded its first shot of the match in the 8th minute of the first half. Son Heung-min won a free kick behind the arc and took the shot himself, but it was blocked by the defensive wall. In the subsequent South Korean attack, a ball cleared by a Trinidad defender struck the upper part of the goal frame.
'Although South Korea gradually increased its ball possession and dominated the match thereafter, it failed to create any significant shooting opportunities. Up to the middle of the first half, Son Heung-min's single shot was the only one recorded.
'South Korea's second shot of the first half came in the 31st minute. Kim Moon-hwan, who had been pushed back on the right flank, delivered a cross, and Baek Seung-ho made a run to connect with a header, but the shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
'Trinidad launched a counterattack. In the 33rd minute of the second half, Mitchell broke through into the penalty box and took a shot, but Lee Han-beom chased him down and stopped him with a tackle.
'The opening goal came from Son Heung-min's foot at the end of the first half. In the 40th minute, Kim Moon-hwan penetrated the space behind the defense and played a low pass into the box. Son Heung-min rushed into the box and connected with his right foot, shaking the net. This marked Son Heung-min's 55th goal in an A-match.
'Riding the momentum, Son Heung-min scored his second goal three minutes later. After Bae Jun-ho was fouled by the opposing defense, the referee immediately awarded a penalty kick (PK). Son Heung-min, taking the kick, scored with a perfect shot aimed at the far left corner.
'The first half ended with South Korea leading 2-0.
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*This content was translated by AI.
