South Korea spank Jamaica 3-0 in international friendly
The Reggae Boyz go through their paces during a training session inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium in South Korea on Tuesday evening. (PHOTO: RICHARD BELL)
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea spanked Jamaica 3-0 in their friendly international inside the Seoul World Cup Stadium earlier today.
Ji Dongwon gave his team a first-half lead in the 35th minute, before Captain Ki Sungyueng increased the lead from the penalty spot in the 57th minute. The visitors dug themselves further into a hole in the 63rd minute by aiding the marauding hosts to a third goal from Lee Jaesung for their well-deserved victory.
It was the third meeting between the two countries, with South Korea making it their second win to add to a 0-0 result in their second contest in May 1998. The first meeting a few days earlier had ended 2-1 in the hosts favour.
Ji Dongwon put his team ahead when he nodded home a header from a left-sided corner. Then moments later Hwang Uijo crashed a left-footed effort against the crossbar as the hosts failed to make their superior play translate into a convincing lead at the break.
Immediately upon the resumption, they could have increased their lead as Lee Jaesung was left unmarked for a clear header on goal from close range but Andre Blake was well positioned to avert the danger.
And 10 minutes into the second half, Shaun Cummings was adjudged to have bundled over an attacker inside the penalty area and Japanese referee Sato Ryuji did not hesitate to award the free kick from which Ki Sungyueng converted with a precise strike.
Joel Grant, who was introduced at the break despite arriving from England only earlier in the day, gave the Jamaicans a lift with neat combination plays with Simon Dawkins in midfield, but they just could not get on even terms and when Lance Laing committed a schoolboy like error with a low, underhit cross field pass, the attempt was picked off by an alert South Korean who dribbled to the edge of the area before rifling a shot which Blake could only parry into the path of Lee Jaeung who delivered the ultimate punishment.
Darren Mattocks almost pulled one back from Dawkins’ cross late on, but his reflex header flew on the wrong side of the goal frame with goalkeeper Jung Sungryong well and truly beaten.
But, on the day, the result was definitely what the Jamaicans deserved.
Published By: The Observer
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