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The four Korean players who slumped to the ground immediately upon the final whistle told the story of this Korean performance.
Without wanting to resort to stereotypes, in many ways it was a typically Korean performance. For 90 minutes they ran, they chased, they pressed and they played – at times really well – but ultimately there was to be no reward. Well not in the form of a goal, with both teams having to settle for a point.
Despite a flurry of late chances, in which Federico Valverde struck the woodwork and both Son Heung-min and Hwang In-beom fired long-range efforts wide, nothing could separate the two sides at the Education City Stadium.
After a frayed start, and perhaps buoyed by the results of Japan and Saudi Arabia in recent days, this was perhaps the most controlled and complete performance from an Asian nation at this World Cup. The only thing missing was a goal.
That’s been a common theme for Korea for a number of years now under Paolo Bento, with dominance not always backed up by balls in the net.
The loss of Hwang Hee-chan on the eve of the game was a blow, his quality is hard to replace and while his replacement Na Sang-ho performed admirably, Hwang’s quality was still missed.
Sticking rigidly to his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, from the very moment referee Clément Turpin blew his whistle, Bento’s side were on the front foot, pressing Uruguay high up the pitch and not offering them a moment’s respite.
It took Uruguay ten minutes before they were able to create their first real foray forward, and even longer before they had their first chance; a testament to the excellent work across the park from the eleven in red.
Kim Min-jae continued his good club form with Napoli, and his expert body check on Darwin Nunez midway through the first half prevented what almost certainly have been a goal for the Liverpool man.
The workrate of Kim Jin-su and Kim Moon-hwan was immense getting up and down the flanks, offering bodies in attack before providing cover at the back. While midfield duo Hwang In-beom and Jung Woo-young were exceptional, suffocating the Uruguayan midfield and providing the first line of attack.
With ten minutes remaining in the half Korea were finally able to prise open the Uruguayan defence, getting Kim Moon-hwan in behind, squaring the ball back for an unmarked Hwang Ui-jo, who fluffed his lines with an open net at his mercy.
For all of Korea’s dominance they were inches away from going into the half a goal down after Diego Godin rose highest from a corner, with his towering header crashing off the post and back across goal to the relief of Kim Seung-gyu in Korea’s goal.
Son Heung-min, who while busy had been well controlled by a Uruguay side well aware of his danger, finally found some space inside the box early in the second half but took one touch too many and the moment was gone.
Like yesterday, when Hajime Moriyasu made a string of changes that altered the game, Paulo Bento attempted to do the same with a triple change with 20 minutes remaining, bringing on Son Jun-ho, Cho Gue-sung and the man of the moment, Lee Kang-in.
While their introduction came when Korea was tiring, there was enough to suggest that Bento should look to shake things up against Ghana.
WHAT WE LEARNED
Can’t keep a good man down: Only a few weeks ago the Tottenham superstar was in a London surgery having his fractured eye socket repaired. His recovery was an almost daily news update leading up to this World Cup. But you can’t keep a good man down. It might not have been a vintage performance, but there were signs of the Son we all know. His every move was cheered with high-pitched squeals, not just from the Korean fans but from all fans who were keen to see a glimpse of the global star.
Midfield general: We wrote pre-game about the importance of Jung Woo-young in this Korean side and the Al Sadd midfielder proved why with a starring performance in the middle of the park. Such is the role that he plays as the midfield enforcer, he will give away fouls and may misplace a pass or two, but in general the 32-year-old produced a masterful display in helping keep Korea in the ascendency.
Still lack cutting edge: For all of Korea’s dominance and general good play, they still lacked that cutting edge in the final third. Son Heung-min tried valiantly to provide it, but that final incisive ball or creative spark needed to split open a stubborn Uruguayan defence was sorely lacking. Hwang Ui-jo is a player desperately out of form and it showed when he skied Korea’s best chance. Cho Gue-sung and Lee Kang-in looked lively when they came on and should be in line for more minutes against Ghana.
WHAT THEY SAID
Son Heung-min – South Korea captain
“Both sides are probably happy with that result. We can say it was a 0-0 game and it was boring, but it wasn’t boring. It was a really intense game and both sides had chances. I think 0-0 was fair for a point.
“When you look before the game you probably think Uruguay should win the game, but we fought and we could compete. You could see that we were competing and we were fighting and probably we could get also the three points.
“They also played amazing so I think 0-0, one point is a fair point. The next game’s more important because this game is past. Now we have to focus on the next game.
“We’re all human and make mistakes. Ui-jo I think from our team is the best striker. No doubt I miss chances. He’s the guy at the moment who’s the most disappointed. We don’t get these chances a lot and we need to be ice cold and we have to finish.
“He knows that so I don’t need to talk to him. I’m not frustrated, he’s my team mate and he’s working hard for the team. He’s going to score.
“I felt OK with the mask. I’m not the only one to wear a mask, I saw some players with the mask. I feel comfortable. I’m just happy to be here and happy with the mask that I could play.”
WHAT COMES NEXT
Korea return to Education City Stadium on Monday to face Ghana, and will no doubt be hoping Hwang Hee-chan will be fit, if for a role off the bench if nothing else. Kim Min-jae also went down during the game after rolling his ankle and will need to be monitored ahead of that clash with the Black Stars.
On the back of this performance, however, Korea will go into that game full of confidence. A win there would put them on four points ahead of the blockbuster clash with Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Photo: KFA
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