Korea Republic have failed to reach the quarter-finals for the first time on the road, after a comprehensive against Brazil.

Paulo Bento’s men lost 4-1 against the South American giants in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 round of 16 match at the Stadium 974 in Doha. The Taegeuk Warriors could not overcome the fatigue following the hard-fought win over Portugal three days earlier, against a Brazil side that had rested most of their key players in the final group stage game.

Although their campaign came to an abrupt end, the achievement of reaching the knockout stages for a second time away from home – since they achieved the feat at South Africa 2010 – did not go unnoticed. More importantly, it is fair to say that Korea Republic are now able to play their own game in the world finals, having struggled against stronger opponents in the past.

There were also some notable records: For the first time, Korea Republic have scored more than one goal for two matches in a row at the finals, scoring twice against Ghana and Portugal respectively. Striker CHO Guesung became the first Korea Republic player to have scored more than a goal in a single game, rising to stardom in the process. SON Heungmin then set up the late winner against Portugal to tie the record of most attacking points set by CHOI Soonho (one goal and three assists), adding to his tally of three goals from previous competitions.

Bento deployed SON Heungmin alongside CHO up front, in an attempt to maximise the captain’s attacking prowess as he experimented in the friendlies in June and September. It was a bold decision by the Portuguese, as HWANG Heechan and SON Heungmin have recovered from respective injuries just in time for the crucial encounter with Brazil.

CHO and SON were flanked by LEE Jaesung and HWANG Heechan, who was given his first start of the tournament. JUNG Wooyoung and HWANG Inbeom in central midfield; KIM Jinsu, KIM Younggwon, KIM Minjae and KIM Moonhwan at the back; and as usual, KIM Seunggyu between the posts.

It was one-way traffic in the first half, with the men in red conceding four goals in the opening period. Vinicius latched on to a low cross from Raphinha to open the scoring after seven minutes, before Richarlison won a penalty for Neymar to convert from the spot six minutes later.

Despite trailing by two goals, Korea Republic did not give up without a fight. On 17 minutes, HWANG Heechan broke into the left channel before unleashing a powerful effort to force a fine save from Alisson Becker. From the resulting corner, HWANG Inbeom saw his shot just over the crossbar. However, Korea Republic fell further behind through the goals from Richarlison and Lucas Paqueta midway through the first half.

Bento reshuffled his side by making a double substitution during the interval - bringing HONG Chul and SON Junho on for KIM Jinsu and JUNG Wooyoung respectively, whilst moving SON Heungmin to the left flank and LEE Jaesung to the centre. Two minutes into the second half, SON Heungmin curled an audacious effort following a long ball from behind, but Alisson did well to deny the Korea Republic captain.

Brazil dominated the game after taking a seemingly unassailable four-goal lead, whilst Korea were desperate to pull at least one goal back. And they did so midway through the second period, when substitute PAIK Seungho volleying home from a loose ball to score his third goal for Korea Republic and first on his World Cup debut on 76 minutes. However, his thunderous strike ultimately proved too little, too late as the final whistle was blown.

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Round of 16

Brazil 4-1 Korea Republic

Scorers : Vinicius(7’), Neymar(13’, pen), Richarlison(29’), Lucas Paqueta(36’); Paik Seungho(76’)

KOR : KIM Seunggyu(GK), KIM Jinsu(HONG Chul 46’), KIM Younggwon, KIM Minjae, KIM Moonhwan, HWANG Heechan, HWANG Inbeom(PAIK Seungho 65’), JUNG Wooyoung(SON Junho 46’), LEE Jaeung(LEE Kangin 74’), SON Heungmin, CHO Guesung(HWANG Uijo 80’)