Bae Jun-ho and Cho Yu-min collapsed with a cry of "Agh!" Hong Myung-bo's team faces a terrifying "injury warning" just before the World Cup.

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite a decisive 5-goal victory, there was also significant bloodshed. A "injury warning" has been issued for Hong Myung-bo's squad, which is on the verge of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup finals.

Ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings, South Korea secured a 5-0 victory in a friendly match against 102nd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago, held at 10 a.m. (Korean time) on the 31st at BYU South Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The win was powered by multi-goals from Son Heung-min and Cho Gue-sung, and a penalty kick (PK) goal by Hwang Hee-chan.

Hong Myung-bo's team achieved a scoreless victory in the World Cup "mock exam" held at an altitude of 1,460 meters. However, they could not simply smile. Key players were substituted one after another due to injuries in the second half.

The first misfortune occurred in the defense. Center-back Cho Yu-min, who started as one of the three defenders, collapsed on the ground just nine minutes into the second half. While running to stop an opponent's breakthrough, he sensed something wrong with his body, stopped, and signaled to the bench. The scene raised suspicions of a hamstring or muscle injury. Ultimately, Cho Yu-min was substituted for Park Jin-seop.

Five minutes later, a collapse also occurred in the attack. Bae Jun-ho, who had assisted Son Heung-min's second goal by drawing a penalty kick with a sharp breakthrough in the 43rd minute of the first half, became a victim of the opponent's rough play.

In the 14th minute of the second half, an opposing defender, Kani, executed a deep back tackle aimed at Bae Jun-ho. In the process of falling, Bae Jun-ho's ankle was pressed against the opponent's body. Bae Jun-ho expressed pain and could not get up for some time, and was eventually substituted with a dark expression on his face.

For the national team, which is about to enter Guadalajara, Mexico (altitude 1,570 meters), where the first and second matches of the World Cup group stage will be held, this match carries more significance than a simple friendly. The situation requires improving players' conditions and strengthening team organization in an environment similar to actual competition.

However, the injuries to Bae Jun-ho and Cho Yu-min, which occurred just before the World Cup opening, could act as a variable in the team's player management. The exact extent of the two players' injuries is expected to be confirmed through detailed examinations.

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*This content was translated by AI.