S. Korea, China end in 2-2 draw in East Asian Championship
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South Korean forward Kim Shin-wook celebrates his goal against China during the team’s 2-2 draw at the East Asia Football Federation E-1 Football Championship at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo, Saturday. / Yonhap
By John Duderden
South Korea opened the 2017 East Asian Championships with a 2-2 draw against China on Saturday in Tokyo, letting a 2-1 lead slip late in the game.
The Taegeuk Warriors move on to a game with North Korea, Tuesday before a final test in this round-robin tournament comes against host Japan, Saturday.
Wei Shihao opened the scoring for China after nine minutes, shooting home smartly past Kim Jin-hyeon though the goalkeeper will not be happy at the space Wei was allowed inside the area.
Korea reacted well to going behind and were ahead ten minutes later. Kim Shin-wook leveled with a shot from close range after good work from Jeonbuk team-mate Lee Jae-sung.
The two men from Jeonju combined soon after. Kim headed down to Lee who fired home a fierce shot from the left side of the area. Korea continued to push forward looking to extend their lead but through a combination of poor finishing and good goalkeeping were unable to do so.
China improved in the second-half and their energy started to push Korea back. Team Dragon was rewarded 15 minutes from time. A late run into the area from Yu Dabao went unnoticed and the captain found the net with a strong header.
Both teams had chances but it was China that grabbed the equalizer with a header from Yu Dabao.
For Korea this was as much about preparing for the 2018 World Cup as defending this regional title won back in 2015. With European-based stars such as Son Heung-min with their clubs, this tournament is about giving Asian-based players a chance to shine and stake their claim to be on the plane to Russia next June and group games against Germany, Sweden and Mexico.
There were some aspects for coach Shin Tae-yong to ponder. Poor positioning in defense has been an issue for some time and was again in Tokyo. Both goals were preventable.
“We weren’t able to convert several good scoring chances in the first half, and then gave up the equalizer in the second half,” Shin said. “I am deeply disappointed. You’re bound to give up goals in football, but I think our defense let in goals way too easily. The defenders looked sluggish as a unit.”
The whole team looked a little sluggish and short of energy at the end of each half. It could be a little tiredness after another busy football year or it could be something for Shin to look at. Either way, Korea struggled to cope with China’s energy in the second half.
“We didn’t play our game in the second half and let the opponents take control with counterattacks,” Shin said. “We must make sure we stay focused for the entire 90 minutes.”
The positives included Lee Jae-sung stepping up to take more responsibility. The 2017 K-League MVP wants to become an automatic starter on the national team even when the European stars are available (and he may be moving to Europe himself soon) and fine performances in the coming days will help.
He will get another chance against North Korea. The North played well against Japan but missed a lot of chances before losing to a late goal.
Korean derbies are usually tough and turgid games and Tuesday will be no different.