Korea Republic men’s national team lost 3-2 against Mexico in a friendly on Saturday at Wiener Neustadt Stadion in Austria. Paulo Bento’s side will take on Qatar at BSFZ Arena on Tuesday, as they look to secure their 500th victory in all competitions.

In the buildup to their first A-match this year, the Taegeuk Warriors were dealt a massive blow with six players tested positive for COVID-19 - leaving Bento with only 19 players to prepare for the encounter with El Tri. Kwon Kyungwon, Jung Wooyoung and Won Dujae on back three; central midfielders Ju Sejong and Son Junho flanked by Lee Juyong and Kim Taehwan; wingers Son Heungmin and Lee Jaesung supporting centre forward Hwang Uijo; and goalkeeper Gu Sungyun.

Currently ranked at 11th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, Mexico surged forward from the outset causing all sorts of problems for the Korean rearguard. The Mexicans took advantage of a defensive mistake on 16 minutes, when Raul Jimenez lurked into the centre of the area with only Gu Sungyun to beat. But the goalkeeper did well to stop the point-blank shot from the Wolverhampton striker, whose another effort from the rebound was denied by an outstretched leg of the custodian.

However, it was the Koreans who drew first blood against the run of play on 20 minutes. Son broke free on the left flank to deliver the ball into the goalmouth, where Hwang was on hand to fire the ball past Hugo Gonzalez.

Trailing 1-0, the Mexicans fought back fiercely in search of an equaliser. Hirving Lozano’s effort following a corner hit the woodwork on 24 minutes, and then Jimenez curled the ball just over the crossbar seven minutes later. Gu was again called into action on 34 minutes, when the keeper managed to smother Lozano’s shot from close range.

Mexico picked up where they had left off in the first half, as the men in red again found themselves on the back foot after the interval. But the Koreans came close to scoring their second of the night on the hour mark. Son sent a neat through ball into the path of an onrushing Hwang, whose effort from an acute angle went straight at Gonzalez.

Nevertheless, the formidable firepower of Mexico was on display midway through the second half, as they came from behind to take the lead through three quick-fire goals within just four minutes. Jimenez restored parity with a clinical finish off a Orbelin Pineda cross from the right on 67 minutes, before Uriel Antuna latched onto another pass from Pineda to put his side ahead two minutes later. Carlos Salcedo then volleyed home from a free-kick to double the advantage.

Shell-shocked by the salvo, the Taegeuk Warriors struggled to regroup and claw their way back into the match. Kwon did manage to pull one back following a corner from substitute Lee Kangin, but it proved too little too late with only three minutes remaining.

Korea Republic 2-3 Mexico

14 November 2020

Goals: Hwang Uijo 20’, Jimenez 67’, Antuna 69’, Salcedo 70’, Kwon Kyungwon 87’

KOR: Gu Sungyun; Kwon Kyungwon, Jung Wooyoung, Won Dujae; Lee Juyong, Ju Sejong, Son Junho (Lee Kangin 73’), Kim Taehwan; Son Heungmin, Hwang Uijo (Hwang Heechan 68’), Lee Jaesung (Nam Taehee 63’)