*This content was translated by AI.View Original
It was a shocking poor performance. The South Korean men's national football team ended the first half trailing by three goals amid subpar play.
The South Korea national football team, led by interim coach Roberto Moreno, concluded the first half 0-3 in the Hana Bank Invitational National Team Friendly Match against Uruguay held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 28th.
This was the second match for interim coach Moreno. Earlier, South Korea secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Ecuador at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 24th.
But that display was nowhere to be seen today.
South Korea conceded an opening goal in the 14th minute of the first half to Uruguay's star striker Darwin Nunez (Al-Hilal), then allowed another goal in the 27th minute to opposing midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta (Flamengo). Just before halftime, they also surrendered a third goal to Guillermo Varela (Flamengo).
South Korea launched counterattacks throughout the first half to equalize but struggled to break through Uruguay's defense.
Coach Moreno deployed his usual 4-4-2 formation today as well.
Up front, Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) started. In midfield, Kim Bong-soo (Daejeon Hana Citizen), Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid), Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke 04), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) were positioned.
The defensive line consisted of Seol Young-woo (Augsburg), Lee Tae-seok (Austria Wien), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), and Lee Han-beom (Club Brugge), while goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) guarded the goal.
Uruguay, led by interim coach Diego Forlan—a former world-class striker—lost 1-3 to Japan in a friendly match on the 24th. However, they fought fiercely until the final minutes, holding a 1-1 draw for much of the game.
Today, Uruguay has demonstrated formidable attacking power against South Korea from the start of the first half.
Starting with Nunez as the lone striker, Uruguay fielded players active in Europe's top leagues, including Maximiliano Araujo (Sporting CP), Lucas Torreira (Galatasaray), Rodrigo Bentancur (Tottenham), and Ronald Araujo (Liverpool).
South Korea allowed shots from the outset, signaling a difficult start. In the 12th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in attempted to shift momentum with a bold long-range shot.
However, an opening goal came just one minute later. Uruguay won the ball in South Korea's half, and Arrascaeta delivered a precise through pass. Nunez then calmly shot past Kim Seung-gyu in a one-on-one situation, finding the back of the net.
Uruguay added another goal in the 27th minute when Arrascaeta fired an exquisite long-range shot, extending their lead to two goals.
Frustrated afterward, South Korea saw Seol Young-woo engage in a tense exchange with opposing striker Rodriguez. Lee Han-beom also fell after being struck in the face by the ball.
In the 43rd minute of the first half, Kim Min-jae conceded an own goal. A momentary collapse in the defensive line allowed a decisive counterattack. Disappointment was evident on South Korean players' faces.
Ultimately, South Korea ended the first half with a heartbreaking 0-3 deficit.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.View Original
