'Under pressure to stay within FIFA's top 100,' Hong Myung-bo's team draws 0-0 against El Salvador... "Zero utilization of lone striker Cho Gue-sung" (End of first half)

*This content was translated by AI.

Hong Myung-bo's team is facing a difficult match against El Salvador, the final mock exam before the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup.

Ranked 25th in the FIFA rankings, South Korea played an exhibition match against 100th-ranked El Salvador at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, at 10 a.m. on the 4th (Korean time), ending the first half with a 0-0 score.

South Korea deployed a 3-4-2-1 formation. A significantly changed starting lineup from the previous match against Trinidad and Tobago was put into action. Leading the front line was striker Cho Gue-sung, with Lee Dong-gyeong and Hwang Hee-chan leading attacks on the left and right flanks, respectively. The midfield was formed by Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom. The left and right wing-backs were Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo, while the three-man defense consisted of Lee Ki-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, and Lee Han-beom. Goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu wore the gloves.

Struggling somewhat with El Salvador's high pressing in the early stages of the match, South Korea attempted to shift the momentum with a dangerous free kick from Hwang In-beom. In the 7th minute of the first half, Hwang In-beom took a shot from a long distance, which the goalkeeper parried with both hands.

South Korea frequently exposed space behind its defense. In the 19th minute of the first half, it allowed Baladares to break through, resulting in a shot inside the penalty box, but fortunately avoided a major incident.

Tied down by El Salvador's intense first-line pressing, South Korea persisted with backline build-up play until the middle of the first half, failing to execute its intended game plan.

South Korea's second shot of the match came in the 28th minute. Seol Young-woo, receiving the ball on the right side of the box, turned away from the defense and cut inside, shooting with his left foot, but the shot was blocked by the opposing defense. One minute later, Hwang Hee-chan's free kick from a long distance also sailed well over the goal.

South Korea maintained high ball possession for the remainder of the first half and attempted attacks, but failed to create any significant scoring opportunities. In stoppage time of the first half, Hwang In-beom again took a dangerous free kick from a long distance, but the goalkeeper parried it. The first half ended with a 0-0 score.

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*This content was translated by AI.