Uruguay to test Korea's strength in Seoul

By John Duerden

If it feels like the national team was only just in action then you are right. In September the Taegeuk Warriors played their first two games under new coach Paulo Bento defeating Costa Rica and holding Chile to a tie. Now comes another South American/Central American combination.

On Friday, Korea takes on Uruguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium and four days later will welcome Panama to Cheonan. These games are also vital preparation matches for the 2019 Asian Cup that takes place in the United Arab Emirates in January, a tournament that Korea has not won since 1960.

It is all part of Bento getting to know his players and trying to imbed the fast, attacking style that was on show in September. There have been a succession of coaches in recent years but it is some time since Korea was exciting to watch.

“This team is open to anyone, but we have to have a foundation for the team," Bento said last week. "Then we can ideally make the team and give it an identity. The national team doesn't have a lot of time for training, so it's important to have a good foundation, and we can test new players on that basis."

To have a consistent identity would be welcome but first it is time to try and win the Asian Cup. Uruguay should be a good test in that regard. Ranked number five in the world ― 50 above the host ― the South Americans are always tough to beat. In fact, Korea has never defeated the two-time world champion, losing six and tying one of their seven meetings to date.

"Uruguay has lots of talents who play on big stages," Bento added. "Like we did against Chile, we'll try to show what we can do. Of course, we'll face some difficulties, but we'll try."

Stars such as Edinson Cavani, who plays for perhaps the richest club in the world, Paris St. Germain, Rodrigo Bentancur of Italian giant, Juventus, and Arsenal's Lucas Torreira should give fans value for their money.

Encouragingly, both games are sold out. It is some time since Seoul World Cup Stadium contained over 64,000 people watching the national team but the massive arena will be full. All 25,000 seats will be occupied in Cheonan too for the less glamorous visit of Panama.

Fans will also be looking out for homegrown stars too. Son Heung-min is just settling back into the English Premier League rhythm for Tottenham Hotspur since winning the Asian Games in September and, once again, the forward has a long journey to make.

"Last time, the players who competed at the Asian Games were exposed to fatigue, but this time, it will be different," he said. "Son will probably play two more matches (with Tottenham) before joining the national team, so we'll check his fitness and make the best decision for this team and the player."

Lee Seung-woo has been coming off the bench in Italy for Hellas Verona and Ki Sung-yueng has yet to get many minutes in the English Premier League for Newcastle United. Both should be fresh but there will also be interest in how Suk Hyun-jun performs. The French-based striker returns to the team for the first time in two years and has a chance to stake his claim for the Asian Cup.