'Colorless and odorless' Moreno-led South Korea national football team still not in sync... 'Futile back-and-forth' with Ecuador [Suwon]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national football team, making its debut under coach Roberto Moreno, has struggled to establish a clear identity throughout the first half and continues to face frustrating momentum.

On the 24th at 8 p.m., the South Korean national football team is competing in the Hana Bank Invitational National Team Friendly Match against Ecuador, a formidable opponent from South America, at Suwon World Cup Stadium.

Coach Moreno deployed a 4-4-2 formation for his debut match starting lineup. Son Heung-min and Oh Hyun-gyu formed the striking duo, while Jeong Seung-won, Hwang In-beom, Park Jin-seop, and Lee Jae-sung occupied midfield positions. The back four consisted of Cho Hyun-taek, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom, and Seol Young-woo, with Kim Seung-gyu guarding the goal. Ace Lee Kang-in was excluded from the lineup to rest.

The early momentum began with captain Son Heung-min's footwork. In the 10th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min drew a foul near the edge of the penalty area through a dribble, prompting a caution for the opponent. Although he took the free kick himself, his shot was blocked by the defensive wall, leaving him disappointed.

Following this, an intense battle unfolded between both teams. Ecuador relentlessly probed behind South Korea's defense through quick passing combinations in wide areas. South Korea gradually increased its possession and launched counterattacks. In the 22nd minute of the first half, Son Heung-min attempted a left-footed mid-range shot from outside the penalty box but missed to the left of the goalpost.

Ecuador's counterattacks were equally sharp. In the 30th minute of the first half, John Yeboah unleashed a sharp left-footed mid-range shot near the penalty area, but it sailed just over the crossbar.

A dizzying variable also emerged. In the 31st minute of the first half, during an aerial duel, an Ecuadorian player on the ground encroached on the landing spot, causing Cho Hyun-taek to fall heavily onto his back. Although it was a dangerous situation, Cho Hyun-taek fortunately shook it off and returned to the field.

Moreno's team continued to show players' movement paths frequently overlapping and passing timing misaligned even after the midpoint of the first half, revealing incomplete coordination. Still lacking distinct identity under the newly introduced tactics, they failed to decisively break through Ecuador's organized defense.

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*This content was translated by AI.