After adopting sweeping changes in the members on their line-ups, both squads tied as they struggled to secure a decisive game-changer.

Keeping a 4-2-3-1 formation from its game against China PR but changing eight of its players, Korea REP mounted severe pressure on the Japan side, which had changed five players from its initial starting line-up and shifted from a 4-3-3-1 to a 4-3-3 formation. Centring on Korea REP captain Jung Wooyoung, the team aimed to get the ball to forward Kim Shinwook, with three players in the second row forcing their way forward to assist.

Japan however, with its compact defensive layout, eliminated the space the Korea REP side had created. However, a penalty kick was awarded to the latter when Japan defender Morishige touched the ball with his hand during a Korea REP offensive in which a pass from Kim Shinwook to Lee Yongjae allowed Lee to make a breakthrough and quickly cross the ball into Ju Se Jong. The hand ball occurred when Ju Se Jong headed the ball. The penalty kick was dispatched by Jang Hyunsoo, giving Korea REP the lead in the 26th minute.

After the goal, Japan continually struggled to push forward to attack the opposition goal. However, as Korea REP brought their pace down a notch, Kohrogi helped create chances for Japan with some brilliant manoeuvring and vertical passing. Japan now created a solid chance with a one touch pass. In the 39th minute a mid-range shot from defender Makino, who was helping in attack, bounced off the Korea REP team and found its way to Kurata, who passed the ball to Yamaguchi, who by then had made his way toward the outer edges of the penalty box. The towering mid-range shot Yamaguchi unleashed gave Japan a goal, which was followed by some speedy combination work by Japan and dynamic play by Korea REP, both utilising the brute energy of the individuals on their respective squads. However, in both cases the opposition’s defences proved too hardy, repelling any attacks and denying either team another goal.

Toward the final minutes of the match, Korea REP substituted a fresh Lee Jae Sung into the game and increased the side’s vitality. This led to some heart-wrenching scenes, particularly a free kick by Lee Jae Sung which hit the cross bar. Despite such developments, the Japanese defence line did not crumble. Near the end of the game Japan also threw in attacking substitutes Asano, Usami, and Kawamata in the hopes of scoring. Nonetheless, the match ended with the team unable to create a chance to shoot for goal. The game of new faces ended in the contested battle of the legends settling for a dissatisfying draw.