Korea Republic men’s national team earned a dramatic stalemate with Paraguay, despite being without some of their key players.

Paulo Bento’s charges came from two goals behind to claim a 2-2 draw in a friendly with Paraguay at Suwon World Cup Stadium on Friday. Trailing 2-0 in the second half, Son Heungmin pulled one back with a sublime free-kick before Jeong Wooyeong restored parity deep into added time. With his second goal in as many games, Son has scored his 33rd international goal to become Korea Republic’s fourth most prolific striker along with Kim Jaehan and Lee Donggook. Korea Republic’s head-to-head record against Paraguay now stands at two wins, four draws and a defeat.

Having suffered a 5-1 defeat against Brazil and bounced back with a 2-0 win over Chile, the Taegeuk Warriors are on a record of 1-1-1 heading into their final match of the four-game friendly series against Egypt at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.

Bento deployed his Plan B squad against Paraguay, starting Hwang Uijo alongside Son Heungmin up front instead of a lone striker, his usual choice. There were notable changes in the lineup as well, with no fewer than six players replacing those who had started against Chile.

Attacking midfielders Na Sangho, Hwang Inbeom and Kwon Changhoon supported Hwang and Son; Paik Seungho replaced defensive midfielder Jung Wooyoung, who had been ruled out due to injury; Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Jung Seunghyun and Kim Moonhwan at the back; goalkeeper Jo Hyeonwoo in place of Kim Seunggyu between the sticks.

Struggling to adapt to unfamiliar tactics and combinations, the men in red were dealt an early blow on 22 minutes. Centre-back Jung Seunghyun failed to clear a through ball against the run of play, and Miguel Almiron put his side ahead with a clinical finish.

The hosts looked alive as the half wore on. Kim Jinsu latched on to a free-kick to find the net on 39 minutes, but he was ruled offside shortly beforehand. Korea Republic came close to scoring twice on the stroke of half time. Hwang Uijo’s header off a Son cross ricocheted off the left post, before Na’s effort following the rebound hit the side netting.

Bento brought Lee Yong on for Kim Moonhwan during the interval, in an attempt to provide more ammunition from the flank. However, his side fell further behind five minutes into the second half, when Almiron scored his second goal of the evening. Bento responded by replacing Paik Seungho and Na Sangho with Kim Jingyu and Um Wonsang respectively, but the double substitution did not seem to work in favour of the hosts.

But it was Son who rose to the occasion when it mattered most. With his side trailing 2-0 midway through the second half, the captain scored directly from a beautiful free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner on 66 minutes. The free-kick was just like what he had scored against Chile earlier this week – a powerful effort from the edge of the area and into the far post.

After reducing the deficit by one goal, the hosts surged forward with the introduction of Cho Guesung and Jeong Wooyeong. Another substitute Um saw his effort from the left side of the goalmouth swerve wide of the upright. However, they did not stand down until the final whistle was blown, as Jeong latched on to a cross from the right to score a last-gasp equaliser.

International friendly match presented by Hana Bank(10 June 2022, Suwon World Cup Stadium)

Korea Republic 2-2 Paraguay

Scorers: Son Heungmin 66’, Jeong Wooyeong 90’+3; Miguel Almiron 22’, 50’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo; Kim Jinsu (Hong Chul 67’), Kim Younggwon, Jung Seunghyun, Kim Moonhwan (Lee Yong 46’); Paik Seungho (Kim Jingyu 60’), Na Sangho (Um Wonsang 60’), Hwang Inbeom, Kwon Changhoon (Jeong Wooyeong 74’); Hwang Uijo (Cho Guesung 74’), Son Heungmin