Korea Republic men’s national team came back from two goals behind to draw level with Ghana, before conceding a late goal against the African powerhouse.

Paulo Bento’s charges lost 3-2 against Ghana in their second Group H match of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 staged at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan on Monday. Trailing by two goals in the first half, the Taegeuk Warriors fought back through a Cho Guesung brace on the hour mark before Mohammed Kudus scored the winner on 68 minutes.

Korea Republic have never won their second group match at the world cup finals, with a record of four draws and six defeats in ten attempts to date.

Despite the defeat, Cho Guesung became the first Korea Republic player to have scored more than one goal in a single match. In fact, all the 23 Taegeuk Warriors had scored a goal in each game they took part in.

Bento made three changes to the side that faced Uruguay, reshuffling his attack: Cho got the nod ahead of Hwang Uijo. Jeong Wooyeong and Kwon Changhoon started in place of Lee Jaesung and Na Sangho respectively, with Son Heungmin on the left side.

Back four remained unchanged with Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Kim Moonhwan; Jung Wooyoung and Hwang Inbeom in defensive midfield; Kim Seunggyu between the posts.

Korea Republic took control after opening exchanges, earning a series of corner kicks to pile up the pressure. Kim Minjae glanced a header off a Son corner just wide of the upright after nine minutes, as the men in red sought to create opportunities from the near post.

However, they were made to pay for their profligacy midway through the first half, as Ghana converted their first chance of note on 24 minutes. Jordan Ayew’s free-kick was only half cleared by Kim Minjae, and Mohammed Salisu latched onto the loose ball to open the scoring. The ball seemed to have been handled by Andre Ayew amidst the goalmouth scramble, but the goal stood after a VAR review requested by referee Anthony Taylor.

Korea Republic fell further behind ten minutes later, when Mohammed Kudus headed home from a Jordan Ayew cross from the left. At the opposite end, efforts from Kwon Changhoon and Jeong Wooyeong went off the target on the stroke of halftime.

Bento responded immediately with a switch during the interval, bringing Na Sangho on for Jeong Wooyeong whilst moving Kwon into centre to make way for Na on the right flank.

Korea Republic then recorded their first attempt on target in these finals, with Cho’s point-blank header off a Kim Jinsu cross denied by Lawrence Ati Zigi eight minutes into the second half. Bento reinforced his attack four minutes later, as Lee Kangin came off the bench to replace Kwon.

Lee made an instant impact on 58 minutes, intercepting the ball to deliver an inviting cross for Cho to head home from close range.

The K League 1 golden boot winner did not stop from there, scoring his second of the evening three minutes later. It was a combination between a Jeonbuk Hyundai duo, with Kim Jinsu curling a cross from the left for Cho to equalise with a thumping header.

However, the restored parity did not last long as Korea Republic fell behind once more, Kudus latching onto a low cross from Inaki Williams to score his second and Ghana’s third goal.

Bento then brought strike Hwang Uijo on for defensive midfielder Jung Wooyoung, deploying Hwang alongside Cho up front. Korea Republic launched a series of attack with ten minutes of stoppage time given, but were unable to find the net despite the efforts from Son and Cho in the closing minutes.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Group H

Korea Republic 2-3 Ghana

Scorers: CHO Guesung 58’, 61’; Mohammed Salisu 24’, Mohammed Kudus 34’, 68’

KOR: KIM Seunggyu(GK); KIM Jinsu, KIM Younggwon, KIM Minjae(KWON Kyungwon 90’+2), KIM Moonhwan; JUNG Wooyoung(HWANG Uijo 79’), HWANG Inbeom; SON Heungmin, JEONG Wooyeong (NA Sangho 46’), KWON Changhoon(LEE Kangin 57’); CHO Guesung