Son Heungmin’s creativity and attacking prowess culminated in the final match of the four-game series in June, as Korea Republic men’s national team rounded off the friendlies with a comprehensive victory over African powerhouse Egypt.

Hwang Uijo, Kim Younggwon, Cho Guesung and Kwon Changhoon were on target, as Paulo Bento’s side defeated Egypt 4-1 in the fourth match of the friendlies that took place at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday. Korea Republic have recorded two wins, a draw and a defeat – Brazil (1-5), Chile (2-0), Paraguay (2-2) and Egypt (4-1) – whilst grabbing a slim lead over the Pharaohs with six wins, seven draws and five defeats.

Bento made an attack-minded approach against Egypt, deploying Hwang Uijo and Son Heungmin alongside one another – just as the duo spearheaded the attack against Paraguay last Friday. Jeong Wooyeong, Ko Seungbeom, Paik Seungho and Kwon Changhoon started in midfield, as the coach tested new combinations without central midfielders Jung Wooyoung and Hwang Inbeom.

The back four consisted of Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kwon Kyungwon and Kim Taehwan, with Kwon and Kim replacing Jung Seunghyun and Kim Moonhwan respectively. Kim Taehwan made his first appearance in the four-game series, whilst goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu returned after a short layoff in Suwon.

Despite being deployed as a striker along with Hwang, Son was given a free role to maraud virtually everywhere on the pitch. Although the switch did not seem to work when he was given a similar role against Paraguay, it was different this time around as the Taegeuk Warriors geared up every time the captain tore the opposition apart.

The experiment paid dividends after 16 minutes, when Son found fullback Kim Jinsu left unmarked on the left flank. Kim delivered a perfect cross for an onrushing Hwang Uijo, who made no mistake with a powerful header to score his second goal of the series and shook off his goal drought from the final round of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

Son was involved in the second goal of the night as well, curling an in-swinging corner for Hwang to head the ball across the goalmouth and into the path of Kim Younggwon. The centre-back headed home from close range to score Korea Republic’s first goal from a corner kick in the series.

However, the visitors fought back to reduce the deficit on 38 minutes, when Mostafa Mohamed capitalised on a defensive mistake to latch on to a loose ball from the right side of the area.

Korea Republic were forced to make a change eight minutes into the second half, as midfield dynamo Ko Seungbeom was stretchered off after pulling his hamstring. Bento brought Kim Jingyu on for Ko, forming a partnership in midfield between Jeonbuk Hyundai teammates Kim and Paik. Kim made an instant impact upon his introduction, pulling the strings with accurate passes into the front line.

Bento reshuffled his squad with three substitutions midway through the second half, as Um Wonsang, Cho Guesung and then Kim Donghyun came off the bench. The latter made his Korea Republic debut, whilst Um and Cho combined to score the third goal for the hosts. It took only six minutes for Cho to curl in an unstoppable effort past Mohamed Elshenawy, following a neat assist from Um with five minutes remaining. Kwon Changhoon then rounded off the goalfest with a pointblank header off Kim Jinsu’s cross deep into added time.

International friendly match presented by Hana Bank(14 June 2022, Seoul World Cup Stadium)

Korea Republic 4-1 Egypt

Scorers: Hwang Uijo 16’, Kim Younggwon 22’, Cho Guesung 85’, Kwon Changhoon 90’+1; Mostafa Mohamed 38’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu; Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kwon Kyungwon, Kim Taehwan; Jeong Wooyeong (Um Wonsang 70’), Ko Seungbeom (Kim Jingyu 53’), Paik Seungho (Kim Donghyun 79’), Kwon Changhoon; Hwang Uijo (Cho Guesung 79’), Son Heungmin