“Oh Hyeon-Gyu fires Korea Republic in front with a right-footed finish, assisted by Kim Min-Jae, breaking the deadlock just after the restart.”
Pivotal“Son Heung-Min doubles Korea's lead just four minutes after the opener, putting the game firmly out of Ecuador's reach.”
Pivotal“Substitute Lee Dong-Gyeong caps a rapid Korean cameo by scoring moments after coming on, sealing a comfortable 3-0 win.”
Korea Republic
Ecuador
Outstanding performance
Korea Republic•GoalkeeperKorea Republic dominated the underlying numbers throughout, controlling 59% possession and out-passing Ecuador 495 to 338, but the match remained goalless and tense until the hour mark. The floodgates opened in a five-minute burst either side of the 55th minute, with Oh Hyeon-Gyu's clinical finish assisted by Kim Min-Jae immediately followed by a Son Heung-Min strike to make it 2-0. Ecuador, reduced to chasing the game after Angelo Preciado's VAR-upgraded dismissal, never recovered, and Korea rounded things off with substitute Lee Dong-Gyeong's late goal in the 86th minute. The result extends Korea's momentum heading into future fixtures while Ecuador will need to address their second-half fragility and discipline, having collected nine yellow cards across the match.
How entertaining was this match?
Shot by Oh Se-Hun with his left foot is saved.
Corner awarded.
Lee Dong-Gyeong scores with a left-footed shot.
assist: Bong-soo Kim
Goal! Lee Dong-Gyeong scores to make it 3-0, assisted by Bong-soo Kim.
Lee Dong-Gyeong replaces Son Heung-Min.
Corner awarded.
Alan Minda takes a right-footed shot, but it's blocked.
Shot - Oh Se-Hun Left Footed Shot Missed
Shot by Juan Riquelme Angulo Caicedo with his right foot is saved.
On comes Oh Se-Hun, off goes Oh Hyeon-Gyu.
On comes Minsu Kim, off goes Song Min-Kyu.
On comes Cho Wi-Je, while Kim Min-Jae goes off.
Substitution: Anthony Valencia comes on for John Yeboah Zamora.
Substitution: Alan Minda comes on for Nilson David Angulo Ramirez.
Corner awarded.
John Mercado takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Pervis Josue Estupinan Tenorio takes a left-footed shot, but it is blocked.
Corner awarded.
Juan Riquelme Angulo Caicedo takes a right-footed shot, but it's saved.
Denil Castillo is on, and Pedro Jeampierre Vite Uca is off.
Nilson David Angulo Ramirez is on, and Jordy Josue Caicedo Medina is off.
John Mercado is on, and Keny Arroyo is off.
On comes Bong-soo Kim, replacing Jung Seung Won.
Hwang Hee-Chan comes on for Park Jin-Sub.
Substitution: Kim Tae-Hyeon comes on for Hyun-taek Cho.
On Lee Tae-Seok, off Lee Han-Beom.
Lee Jae-Sung receives a yellow card.
Jordy Josue Caicedo Medina attempts a header but misses the shot.
Corner awarded.
John Yeboah Zamora takes a shot with his right foot, but it is saved.
Son Heung-Min scores with a right-footed shot.
Goal! Son Heung-Min scores, making it 2-0.
Shot! Oh Hyeon-Gyu scores with a right-footed shot.
assist: Min-jae Kim
Goal! Oh Hyeon-Gyu scores to make it 1-0, assisted by Kim Min-Jae.
Shot! Oh Hyeon-Gyu scores with a right-footed shot.
Angelo PreciadoVAR decision results in a change of card for Angelo Preciado.
Angelo PreciadoYellow CardAngelo Preciado receives a yellow card.
Yellow card issued to Jung Seung Won.
Corner awarded.
Korea Republic and Ecuador meet in Suwon in a friendly that doubles as the first game for two brand-new head coaches: Robert Moreno for the hosts and Marcelo Gallardo for Ecuador. With both benches auditioning fresh ideas and Ecuador missing key names, expect a cagey, low-scoring test rather than a goal fest.
