Kim Shin-wook Scores 2 Goals, Rookie Jeong Sang-bin Nets A-Match Debut Goal
Maintains Group Lead by Avoiding 9-Goal Defeat Against Lebanon on 13th
The national soccer team defeated the weak Sri Lanka team and virtually secured their advancement to the final round of the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers.
On the 9th, the national team achieved a commanding 5-0 victory over Sri Lanka in the Group H match of the second round of the Qatar World Cup Asian qualifiers held at Goyang Sports Complex. With 4 wins and 1 draw (13 points, goal difference +20), they maintained their lead in Group H. They are 3 points ahead of second-placed Lebanon (10 points, goal difference +4). Earlier, Lebanon lost 2-3 to Turkmenistan (9 points). Accordingly, the national team only needs to avoid a defeat by 9 goals or more in the final Group H match against Lebanon at Goyang Sports Complex on the 13th to keep their top spot in the group.
Coach Paulo Bento changed ten players from the starting lineup that played against Turkmenistan on the 6th, leaving only Nam Tae-hee (Al Sadd) in the squad. Kim Shin-wook (Shanghai Shenhua) was assigned as the lone striker, with Song Min-kyu (Pohang) and Hwang Hee-chan (Leipzig) deployed as left and right wingers. Nam Tae-hee and Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan) were positioned in the attacking midfield. Defensive midfielder was Son Jun-ho (Shandong Taishan), with Lee Gi-je (Suwon) and Kim Tae-hwan (Ulsan) as left and right fullbacks. Central defense was handled by Park Ji-su (Suwon FC) and Won Du-jae (Ulsan), and goalkeeper duties were entrusted to Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan).
The national team smoothly opened the scoring in the 14th minute of the first half with a goal by Kim Shin-wook. Nam Tae-hee headed down a pass, which Kim finished with his right foot from the center of the penalty area. In the 22nd minute, Song Min-kyu delivered a cross from the left, which Lee Dong-gyeong connected with a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area to add another goal. In the 42nd minute of the second half, Kim Shin-wook calmly converted a penalty kick earned by Hwang Hee-chan with his right foot, extending the lead.
Before the second half, Coach Bento substituted Nam Tae-hee and Park Ji-su with Kwon Chang-hoon (Suwon) and Kim Min-jae (Beijing Guoan). The momentum, having not conceded a single shot in the first half, continued. In the 7th minute of the second half, the fourth goal was scored. From a free kick by Lee Gi-je that was punched out by the goalkeeper, Hwang Hee-chan connected with a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, shaking the net.
Sri Lanka was reduced to ten men in the 11th minute of the second half when defender Ashiqur Rahuman was sent off due to accumulated yellow cards. With the advantage, Coach Bento withdrew Kim Shin-wook and Lee Gi-je, giving opportunities to Jung Sang-bin (Suwon) and Kang Sang-woo (Pohang). Jung Sang-bin scored in his A-match debut just 4 minutes after coming on. In the 31st minute of the second half, Lee Dong-gyeong scored by slightly redirecting a shot he took from the left side of the penalty arc with his right foot in front of the goal.
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