Korea blanks Myanmar 4-0 in World Cup qualifier
National team midfielder Lee Jae-sung celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal in the 18th minute during a World Cup qualifying match against Myanmar at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Korea won 4-0. / Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
Korea defeated Myanmar 4-0 in a World Cup qualifier in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday.
With over 24,270 spectators filling the seats at Suwon World Cup Stadium, Lee Jae-sung, Koo Ja-cheol, Jang Hyun-soo and Nam Tae-hee scored to keep the team undefeated in its World Cup campaign.
The first goal came from midfielder Lee in the 18th minute. Captain Ki Sung-yeung passed the ball and Lee finished it with his left foot with one touch.
Though the right-side back Jang missed a penalty in the 23rd minute, the goal parade continued less than seven minutes later when midfielder Koo popped in a header.
The world’s 48th-place Korea continued to dominate the match against the world’s No. 161st team in the second half.
In the 82nd minute, Tottenham Hotsupr attacker Son Heung-min, who replaced attacker Hwang Ui-jo in the 63th minute, crossed the ball and Jang headed it into the net. Son also assisted with a pass to Nam who scored the fourth goal in the 86th minute.
It was the second match against Myanmar this year. Korea took a 2-0 victory over the Southeast Asian country in Thailand in June.
With the 4-0 win, South Korea solidified its status as Group G leader team, recording five wins in five games.
The national football team has had a prolific season this year recording 15 wins, three draws and one loss. Their last game this year will be another Group G match against Laos on November 17.