Now that the final tune-up match in the buildup to the finals of the FIFA World Cup is over, the moment of truth is fast approaching.

Song Minkyu scored the only goal of the match as Korea Republic men’s national team defeated Iceland 1-0 at Hwaseong Sports Complex on Friday. Having claimed a victory in their final friendly before the world finals, the Taegeuk Warriors will be down to 26 men the following day before leaving for Qatar on 14 November.

Korea Republic are set to take on Uruguay (24 November), Ghana (28 November) and then Portugal (2 December) in the group stage, with all three matches to take place in the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Since this match was played outside the international friendly calendar, Paulo Bento had called up the players based in domestic leagues on 28 October, looking to build up the organisation amongst those players whilst shrinking his squad to travel to Qatar.

Bento opted for a back three for the first time since he tested the three-man rearguard back in 2019, which was his early days since he took the reins in August 2018. He subsequently turned to a back four, but it seems that the Portuguese would test an alternative to prepare for encounters with stronger opponents in the shape of Uruguay, Ghana and Portugal.

With his first-choice goalkeeper Kim Seunggyu between the posts, centre-backs Kwon Kyungwon, Kim Younggwon and Park Jisu started at the back. Hong Chul and Yoon Jonggyu flanked Song Minkyu, Paik Seungho, Jung Wooyoung and Kwon Changhoon, with Cho Guesung leading the attack as a lone striker.

However, it took some time for the players to adjust to unfamiliar system and combinations, as they struggled to create any clear-cut chances despite taking control of the game from the outset. But there was a change of the flow midway through the first half, with Cho taking first shot on target with a sizzling effort on 27 minutes.

The deadlock was broken after 33 minutes when Kwon Chanhoon put Cho through on goal with a neat pass from the right. Cho then broke into the area to send a cross across the goalmouth, where Song headed home from close range to score his first goal for Korea Republic since his international debut against Sri Lanka during the second round of the Asian Qualifiers in June last year.

After taking a 1-0 lead at halftime, Bento continued to experiment his side making a series of substitutions, in an attempt to find the right combinations: Cho Yoomin had already replaced Park Jisu on the stroke of halftime, before five men – Na Sangho, Son Junho, Kim Taehwan, Oh Hyeongyu and Kim Moonhwan – came off the bench in the second half.

The hosts kept up the pressure despite the reshuffle, with Cho twice dragged ferocious efforts just wide. His replacement Oh was eager to impress, lurking into the goalmouth to connect with Na Sangho’s low cross from the right.

However, there was a moment of silence when midfielder Jung Wooyoung limped off the pitch in the closing minutes. Bento’s men were down to ten men after using all of the substitutes, but ultimately held on to claim the victory.

International friendly 

Korea Republic 1-0 Iceland

Scorer: Song Minkyu 33’

KOR: Kim Seunggyu; Hong Chul (Kim Moonhwan 72’), Kwon Kyungwon, Kim Younggwon, Park Jisu (Cho Yoomin 44’), Yoon Jonggyu (Kim Taehwan 60’), Song Minkyu, Jung Wooyoung, Paik Seungho (Son Junho 46’), Kwon Changhoon (Na Sangho 46’), Cho Guesung (Oh Hyeongyu 72’)