Korea Republic men’s U-22 national team claimed a morale-boosting win over Olympic Games Paris 2024 hosts and favourites France.

Jeong Sangbin netted a brace and Hong Yunsang added another as Hwang Sunhong’s side defeated France U-21 national team in a friendly staged at Stade Océane in Le Havre, France on Monday.

France coach Thierry Henry has a formidable side with most of the players plying their trade in major leagues across Europe, as they are aiming to win the gold medal at the Olympics on home soil next year. The Taegeuk Warriors could build up their confidence with such a comprehensive victory away from home.

Hwang opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation led by An Jaejun up front; Kang Sungjin started as an attacking midfielder flanked by Eom Jisung and Jun Byungkwan; Lee Kanghee and Hwang Jaewon in defensive midfield.

Cho Hyuntaek, Seo Myunggwan, Cho Wije and Min Gyeonghyeon at the back; and Shin Songhoon between the sticks.

After nervy opening exchanges, the hosts began to surge forward. Mathys Tel fired a warning shot from the left side of the area on 15 minutes, before Bradley Barcola tested Shin Songhoon with an audacious effort on 27 minutes.

At the opposite end, the visitors struggled to find a breakthrough against the solid defending, with Jun Byungkwan and Hwang Jaewon trying their luck from distance to no avail. On 39 minutes, Hwang’s cross from the left was laid off by Jun into the path of An Jaejun, who could not connect with the ball in front of an empty net.

Korea Republic almost fell behind on the stroke of half time. Arnaud Kalimuendo’s pointblank effort ricocheted off the crossbar, as the first half ended in a goalless stalemate.

The game was wide open as the second half got underway. Eom Jisung broke from the left channel to unleash a powerful shot just wide of the post, before Barcola’s effort from the left side of the area swerved out of target.

Barcola caused all sorts of problems on the flanks midway through the second half. On 64 minutes, the live wire winger sent an inviting cross from the right that almost forced Lee Kanghee to miscue an attempted clearance into his own net.

However, it was the visitors that drew first blood against the run of play on 70 minutes. Hong Yunsang earned a free-kick 20 yards away from goal, and Jeong Sangbin stepped up to curl a powerful effort over the wall and into the corner of the net – a moment of individual brilliance from the second-half substitutes.

Korea Republic kept up the momentum after the opening goal, and duly doubled their advantage nine minutes later. Cho Hyuntaek’s low cross from the left was left untouched by goalkeeper Guillaume Restes as well as a defender, and Jeong Sangbin made no mistake from close range to score his second goal of the evening.

The visitors put the result beyond doubt deep into added time, with Hong Yunsang capitalising on a defensive mixup between the goalkeeper and centre-backs to roll the ball into an empty net.

International friendly between France and Korea Republic national teams for Olympic Games

Korea Republic 3-0 France

Goals: Jeong Sangbin 70’, 79’, Hong Yunsang 90’+4

KOR: Shin Songhoon, Cho Hyuntaek, Seo Myunggwan (Byeon Junsoo 87’), Cho Wije, Min Gyeonghyeon (Kim Jisoo 82’), Lee Kanghee (Kwon Hyeokkyu 68’), Hwang Jaewon, Eom Jisung (Oh Jaehyeok 68’), Kang Sungjin (Heo Yool 82’), Jun Byungkwan (Jeong Sangbin 46’), An Jaejun (Hong Yunsang 68’)