"Korea, humiliation after 42 years" — Japan also pointed it out... Conceded three goals to Saudi Arabia despite fielding both Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Japanese media also assessed the defeat of the South Korean national football team against Saudi Arabia as a "humiliation after 42 years."

Japan's Nikkan Sports reported on the 14th, "South Korea suffered a humiliating defeat to Saudi Arabia," adding, "Despite starting their key players, including Son Heung-min (LAFC), they conceded three goals and lost."

The South Korean national team, led by interim head coach Roberto Moreno, lost 2-3 in a friendly match against Saudi Arabia held on the 13th at the Jasim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar.

It has been 21 years since South Korea last lost to Saudi Arabia, following a 0-1 defeat in the final Asian qualifying round for the 2006 World Cup in Germany in August 2005. The team's unbeaten streak of six matches against Saudi Arabia also came to an end. In their all-time head-to-head record, South Korea now trails with five wins, nine draws, and six losses.

Despite fielding a large number of key players as starters, they failed to secure a victory. South Korea deployed a 4-4-2 formation with Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) forming the front two. Hwang Hee-chan (Schalke) and Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid) provided attacking support from the flanks, while Hwang In-beom (Porto) and Park Jin-seop (Zhejiang) controlled the midfield. Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) held the line in defense, and Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo) guarded the goal.

South Korea left room for regret in finishing despite creating scoring opportunities. In the 19th minute of the first half, Hwang Hee-chan made a quick dribble through the defense before passing the ball to Son Heung-min. From the center of the penalty box, Son attempted a shot with his left foot, but the ball went wide past the right goalpost. In the 45th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in's long-range shot with his right foot was also saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Instead, South Korea conceded the opening goal in stoppage time of the first half. A penetrating pass from Saudi Arabia went into the space behind South Korea's defense, and Kim Seung-gyu slipped while trying to block the opponent's attack. Marwan Al-Saif seized the opportunity and shook the net.

South Korea equalized just two minutes after the start of the second half. Oh Hyeon-gyu immediately struck the ball with his right foot and scored, following a pass from Seol Yeong-woo (Augsburg) on the right flank.

However, the joy of the equalizer was short-lived. In the 11th minute of the second half, they conceded another goal to Mohamed Kanno, and three minutes later, allowed a header from Abdulrahman Al-Omari from a corner kick situation. The score, which had been tied at 1-1, quickly widened to 1-3.

Son Heung-min's decisive scoring opportunity also fell short. In the 21st minute of the second half, he got a chance due to a passing error by the Saudi goalkeeper, but his right-foot shot from the center of the penalty box flew over the crossbar.

In the 23rd minute of the second half, Lee Jae-seong (Mainz), who had come on as a substitute, received a pass from Hwang Hee-chan and scored a consolation goal. South Korea closed the gap to one goal but ultimately failed to level the score.

Nikkan Sports specifically examined South Korea's starting lineup. The outlet reported, "Kim Seung-gyu, who had maintained a J1 League tie record of nine consecutive scoreless matches with FC Tokyo, guarded the goal, and Kim Min-jae directed the final defensive line." It then listed the names of Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Lee Kang-in, and Son Heung-min.

It highlighted that despite fielding goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who had set a scoreless record with his club, along with key overseas-based players, the team still conceded three goals and suffered a defeat.

The media also looked back on the history of defeats. Nikkan Sports noted, "It has been 21 years since South Korea last lost to Saudi Arabia," adding, "If limited to defeats where they conceded three or more goals, this is a humiliation after 42 years, following a 4-5 loss in their head-to-head match on April 24, 1984."

This defeat also poses a burden for Head Coach Moreno, whose contract is nearing expiration. The Moreno-led team had recorded two wins, one draw, and one loss in four domestic A-matches in September and October. Including the match against Saudi Arabia, they have posted two wins, one draw, and two losses in five matches.

They opened their campaign with a 3-0 victory over Ecuador, but suffered a heavy 1-4 defeat against Uruguay. They subsequently drew 0-0 with Venezuela and beat Uzbekistan 2-0, but in this first match of their Middle East away trip, they again revealed defensive instability and took the loss.

Head Coach Moreno's contract runs until the 27th. The Korea Football Association decided to consider a plan to have him take charge until the Asian Cup after evaluating his performance in six A-matches from September to November at the time of his appointment. The match against Saudi Arabia was the fifth game in that evaluation period.

With the tournament schedule changing, his future has become even more uncertain. The Asian Cup, originally scheduled for January next year, has been postponed by approximately 11 months until December of the same year due to instability in the Middle East situation.

For the association, the situation has become one where they must consider not only preparing for the immediate tournament but also the long-term direction of national team management. Head Coach Moreno also failed to demonstrate the performance and results needed to support a contract extension following the defeat against Saudi Arabia.

South Korea will play its final A-match of the year against Qatar at 11 p.m. on the 17th at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha. This will be the last match Head Coach Moreno directs during his current contract period.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original