Korea Republic men’s national team shared the spoils with Costa Rica.

Paulo Bento’s charges fought out a 2-2 draw in a friendly with the CONCACAF powerhouse on Friday. Hwang Heechan opened the scoring early in the first half, before Son Heungmin cancelled out a Jewisson Bennette brace with a free-kick in front of a sellout crowd of 37,581 at Goyang Stadium.

The head-to-head record against Costa Rica has become four wins, three draws and three defeats following the stalemate in the City of Cats. The national team are scheduled to round off the two-game series with another friendly with Cameroon at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.

Bento had admitted that he was contemplating his tactics ahead of the FIFA World Cup, heading into the penultimate friendly before the world finals: “I’d like to try something different from what we’ve been doing. I’m not going to use the same systems in the two games to come.” His decision to call up the likes of Lee Kangin and Yang Hyunjun has also left the pundits speculating on the possibility of adopting a new style of play from the duo.

The starting lineup against the Central Americans was somewhat similar to those who Bento deployed against Paraguay and Egypt in June: Son Heungmin and Hwang Uijo in tandem up front. Hwang Inbeom returned from an injury layoff to start as an attacking midfielder, flanked by Hwang Heechan and Kwon Changhoon, and supported by Jung Wooyoung in defensive midfield.

The back four consisted of Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Yoon Jonggyu, with Kim Minjae returning to the central rearguard after missing the friendlies in June due to an injury. Kim Seunggyu stood between the posts.

The return of Hwang Inbeom made an instant impact, as the talisman pulled the strings from the middle of the park. The hosts began to build up their play based on possession, whilst creating a series of promising opportunities from the outset. Kim Younggwon put Son through on goal after 14 minutes, only for the captain to fire his shot just over the crossbar.

Korea Republic drew first blood on 28 minutes, when Yoon Jonggyu’s low cross from the right was converted by an onrushing Hwang Heechan who made no mistake from close range. The opener was, in fact, followed by a fluid set of plays from a throw-in into the right flank to a neat passing combination between Kwon Changhoon and Hwang Inbeom.

The hosts geared up to double their advantage, and they came tantalisingly close to doing so ten minutes later: Son and Kwon saw their efforts denied by a determined Costa Rican rearguard amidst a goalmouth scramble on 38 minutes. It was the visitors that made their effort count at the opposite end, with Bennette scoring the equaliser against the run of play.

The visitors picked up where they had left off, and managed to take the lead after the interval. Bennette was again on the scoresheet on 64 minutes, latching onto the rebound after Kim Seunggyu had parried away the pointblank header from Anthony Contreras.

Bento responded by making a double substitution, bringing Hong Chul and Son Junho on for Kim Jinsu and Jung Wooyoung respectively. The hosts soon regrouped and created a golden opportunity to restore parity four minute later. Hwang Heechan broke into the left channel before sending a deflected cross into the path Hwang Uijo, whose powerful effort ricocheted off the crossbar.

Bento then reinforced his attack by replacing Hwang Uijo and Kwon Changhoon with Jeong Wooyeong and Na Sangho, and the attack-minded approach soon paid dividends with ten minutes remaining. With Na Sangho lurking into the area, goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado came off his line only to grab the ball just outside the box – which left referee Alexander King with no option but to pull out a red card.

Son Heungmin stepped up to convert the crucial chance, and the captain curled the free-kick from the edge of the area into the top corner to make it 2-2. The hosts went all out on attack in the closing minutes, but it proved too little too late as the match ended in a draw.

Korea Republic men’s national team international friendly presented by Hana Bank

Korea Republic 2-2 Costa Rica

Scorers: Hwang Heechan 28’, Son Heungmin 86’; Jewisson Bennette 41’, 64’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu; Kim Jinsu (Hong Chul 65’), Kim Younggwon (Kwon Kyungwon 78’), Kim Minjae, Yoon Jonggyu; Jung Wooyoung (Son Junho 65’), Hwang Heechan, Hwang Heechan, Hwang Inbeom, Kwon Changhoon (Na Sangho 73’); Son Heungmin, Hwang Uijo (Jeong Wooyeong 78’)