The South Korean national football team, led by interim coach Roberto Moreno, failed to score against Venezuela, resulting in a second consecutive lackluster performance.
On October 2, South Korea drew 0-0 with Venezuela in a friendly match held at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.
After suffering a 4-1 defeat to Uruguay on September 28, Moreno's team could not secure a victory again. Their record in the four international matches scheduled for September and October now stands at 1 win, 1 draw, and 1 loss, including a 3-0 victory over Ecuador on September 24.
Moreno employed a 4-4-2 formation and made changes to the starting lineup. Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Oh Hyun-kyu (Beşiktaş) were positioned at the front, while Kim Min-soo (Rangers) and Lee Kang-in (Atletico Madrid) occupied the flanks. Kim Min-soo, who had only played as a substitute in the previous two matches, made his first start in an A-match.
The midfield featured Hwang In-beom (FC Porto) and Park Jin-seob (Zhejiang FC), while the defense included Jo Hyun-taek (Ulsan HD), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Lee Han-beom (Club Brugge), and Seol Young-woo (Augsburg). The goalkeeper was Song Bum-keun (Jeonbuk Hyundai).
Venezuela took control early in the match, and South Korea struggled to maintain their passing rhythm under intense pressure. In the 10th minute, Song Bum-keun saved a free kick from Cristian Casseres just outside the penalty area, averting a scoring threat.
It wasn't until the 45th minute that Jo Hyun-taek recorded South Korea's first shot, as the team struggled to create offensive opportunities. They ended the first half with only one shot compared to Venezuela's three and held just 43% possession.
In the second half, South Korea increased their attacking tempo. In the 51st minute, Oh Hyun-kyu broke down the right flank and delivered a low cross that Son Heung-min managed to get a shot off, but it was saved by the opposing goalkeeper. After enduring a counterattack from Venezuela, Lee Kang-in responded with a long-range shot in the 61st minute, but it also failed to get past the defense.
Frustrated by the lack of scoring, Moreno made substitutions in the 67th minute, bringing in Lee Dong-kyung (Ulsan HD) for Kim Min-soo and Oh Hyun-kyu. In the 80th minute, he made a double substitution, replacing Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, Jo Hyun-taek, and Seol Young-woo all at once.
In the 85th minute, Moreno took a gamble by substituting Son Heung-min and Park Jin-seob for Oh Se-hun (Shimizu S-Pulse) and Kim Bong-soo (Daejeon Hana Citizen). However, South Korea could not find the back of the net.
Following the match against Venezuela, Moreno's team will face Uzbekistan on October 6 at 8 p.m. at Yongin Mir Stadium.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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