'World class' Kim Min-jae (30, Bayern Munich) was holding firm, but Korea's defense was a mess.
The national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, suffered a 0-4 rout in a friendly against the Ivory Coast at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, on the 28th (Korean time).
Korea was completely defeated in the matchup against the 'virtual South Africa.' The Ivory Coast is even regarded as a level below South Africa. Korea conceded two goals in each half and was on the back foot throughout the match.
Aces Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in were left out of the starting lineup due to poor condition. Both players came on as substitutes in the second half. Even so, a 0-4 loss is an unacceptable result.
At this World Cup, the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is implementing 'hydration breaks.' At about the 22nd minute of each half, players are allowed a roughly three-minute break to drink because the weather in the United States is so hot. With the new measure in place, players had trouble adapting.
The early mood was not bad. The two teams were evenly matched until the middle of the first half. But the balance collapsed sharply after the hydration break. Korea's defense wavered as concentration dropped following the short break.
Cho Yu-min committed a fatal mistake that led to a goal. In the 35th minute of the first half, Martial Gohda received a pass from the back and easily shook off Cho Yu-min with a single feint. The defense completely collapsed and space opened up. Evan Gessang fell while receiving the subsequent pass and pushed the ball in to score the opener.
Cho Yu-min continued to be exposed. As the deepest defender was beaten in one move, Korea faced repeated defensive crises. The same scene was repeated again in first-half stoppage time. Simon Adingra got past Cho Yu-min on the flank and attempted a shot. The ball hit the net. With the same defensive line collapsing twice in the first half alone, the course of the match was effectively decided.
Cho Yu-min was taken off at the start of the second half and Lee Han-beom came on. But Korea's defensive organization did not improve. Korea continued to concede in the second half. In the 17th minute of the second half, Gohda struck again amid confusion in front of goal. In second-half stoppage time, Wilfried Singo added a cushion goal to make the score 0-4.
Coach Hong Myung-bo mentioned a 'plan B' and repeatedly experimented with a three-man back line. But with less than three months until the World Cup, the team has not properly completed plan A. Cho Yu-min made a fatal error that led to two goals.
At this rate, no matter how outstanding Kim Min-jae's defending is, Korea is very likely to collapse disastrously. If the defense crumbles, the attack cannot hold up. Korea has fallen into a total crisis.
[OSEN]