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Korea Republic edge Lebanon to claim first win
07. Sep. 2021 21:59:16 1,912
Korea Republic have bounced back from the goalless draw with Iraq in the opening round, after a hard-fought victory over Lebanon without injured captain Son Heungmin.
Second-half substitute Kwon Changhoon scored the only goal of the game as Paulo Bento’s charges edged Lebanon 1-0 at Suwon World Cup Stadium on Tuesday. Having claimed four points from the opening series at home, the Taegeuk Warriors are scheduled to face Syria on 7 October.
It was the second home match in as many games for Korea Republic, whose opening fixture against Iraq had taken place in Seoul last week. The final round of qualifying usually consists of a series of home and away games for each side every month, therefore Korea Republic’s second match was initially scheduled to be hosted by Lebanon. However, the fixture was reversed to take place in Suwon, following the consultations between KFA, the Lebanese FA and the AFC last month.
Despite having the advantage of playing their two opening matches on home soil, the hosts had to overcome a sluggish start to the qualifying campaign after a goalless draw with Iraq. However, to add insult to injury, Nam Taehee was ruled out after suffering a hamstring problem, before captain Son Heungmin was sidelined due to a calf injury on Monday.
Bento had to make no fewer than five changes to the side from the first match, resting Hwang Uijo and Song Minkyu on the bench alongside Son. Midfielder Son Junho and fullback Kim Moonhwan were replaced by Lee Donggyeong and Lee Yong respectively.
Cho Guesung was given his first start in place of Hwang Uijo up front, flanked by Na Sangho and Hwang Heechan; Lee Donggyeong, Hwang Inbeom and Lee Jaesung were deployed in midfield; Hong Chul, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Lee Yong at the back, with Kim Seunggyu between the sticks.
Korea Republic surged forward from the outset, knocking on Lebanon’s door from various routes with shots from distance, quick one-twos and set-pieces. Hwang Inbeom and Lee Jaesung combined to create an opening on the left side of the area for Hwang Heechan, whose rasping effort was only denied by Mostafa Matar.
Lee Donggyeong was given a golden opportunity to open the scoring deep into first-half stoppage time, when Na sent a low cross into a crowded goalmouth after Hwang Inbeom’s powerful shot had been parried away by Matar. However, the Lebanese goalkeeper did well to deny the ensuing effort from the Ulsan starlet.
With the score tied 0-0 at half-time, Bento brought Hwang Uijo on for Cho in an attempt to strengthen his attack. Kwon Changhoon and Song Minkyu then came off the bench to replace Na Sangho and Lee Donggyeong respectively, as the hour mark approached.
The attacking substitutions paid dividends almost immediately, as Kwon broke the deadlock with a clinical finish from the left side of the area following a neat pass from Hwang Heechan.
The visitors fought back after conceding the goal, piling the pressure up front in search of an equaliser. Bento responded by bringing Son Junho on for Lee Jaesung midway through the second half, deploying Son and Hwang Inbeom as defensive midfielders to regroup the rearguard.
Lebanon launched waves of attack in the closing minutes, as the hosts suddenly found themselves on the back foot. However, the men in red did create a couple of opportunities from counterattacks, with Song and Hwang Uijo missing the chances to double their advantage deep into added time.
In a topsy-turvy finale that saw the visitors come tantalisingly close to scoring a dramatic equaliser, Korea Republic held on to claim all three points and their first win of the final round.
AFC Asian Qualifiers Final Round for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
Korea Republic 1-0 Lebanon
Scorer: Kwon Changhoon 60’
KOR: Kim Seunggyu (GK); Lee Yong, Kim Minjae, Kim Younggwon, Hong Chul; Hwang Inbeom (Ju Sejong 89’); Lee Jaesung (Son Junho 72’), Lee Donggyeong (Song Minkyu 58’); Na Sangho (Kwon Changhoon 58’), Cho Guesung (Hwang Uijo 46’), Hwang Heechan
Team Bento held to goalless draw by Iraq
Son strikes late winner as Korea Republic edge Syria