PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in powers Korea past Tunisia in friendly
Korea's midfielder Lee Kang-in, right, shoots to score his side's second goal during a friendly match against Tunisia at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, Seoul, Friday. Korea won by 4-0. Yonhap
Midfielder Lee Kang-in grabbed a brace for his first two senior international goals, as Korea defeated Tunisia 4-0 in their friendly match in Seoul on Friday.
Lee, a skilled playmaker for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), netted twice in a span of under three minutes in the second half at Seoul World Cup Stadium, whipping the crowd into a frenzy after a listless opening 45 minutes.
Korea then opened up a 3-0 lead on an own goal by Tunisian defender Yassine Meriah on 67 minutes. Sub Hwang Ui-jo rounded out the scoring during additional time.
Korea never scored more than twice in any of the previous six matches under head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
Tottenham Hotspur star Son Heung-min, who had been dealing with a groin injury, missed the match. Another national team mainstay, Hwang In-beom of FK Crvena zvezda, was pulled out of the starting lineup only minutes before kickoff, after suffering a left adductor injury during warmup.
The teams were scoreless in a lethargic first half that featured few scoring chances at either end. For Korea, Cho Gue-sung and Lee Ki-je took mid-range shots that didn't come particularly close to the target midway through the first half. On 39 minutes, Aissa Laidouni fired a shot from just outside the box that sailed high and right.
Lee Kang-in then singlehandedly changed the complexion of the match early in the second half. He was tripped up by Ellyes Skhiri outside the right edge of the box and took the free kick himself. He curled the shot into the right corner, and goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen only got a piece of the ball in a desperate diving attempt.
Lee, 22, had been held goalless in his first 14 matches for the senior national team.
Just a couple of minutes later, Lee picked up his second goal of the night, after pouncing on the loose ball in a scramble inside the box. Lee secured the ball with his back to the net, and then turned and fired the shot in one motion, with Dahmen frozen at his spot.
Korea's Hwang Ui-jo celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during a friendly match against Tuinisia at the Seoul World Cup Stadium in Mapo District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap
On 67 minutes, Lee was involved in Korea's third goal. His corner found Kim Min-jae's head for the initial shot, and the ball went off the leg of defender Yassine Meriah and into Tunisia's own net.
Hwang Ui-jo then got behind the defense to slot home Korea's fourth goal that completed the rout.
This was Korea's first win over Tunisia in their third meeting. The Taegeuk Warriors will next host Vietnam at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, just south of Seoul. (Yonhap)