Korea Republic men’s national team lost 3-2 against Mexico in a friendly on Saturday at Wiener Neustadt Stadion in Austria. Paulo Bento’s side will take on Qatar at BSFZ Arena on Tuesday, as they look to secure their 500th victory in all competitions.

In the buildup to their first A-match this year, the Taegeuk Warriors were dealt a massive blow with six players tested positive for COVID-19 - leaving Bento with only 19 players to prepare for the encounter with El Tri. Kwon Kyungwon, Jung Wooyoung and Won Dujae on back three; central midfielders Ju Sejong and Son Junho flanked by Lee Juyong and Kim Taehwan; wingers Son Heungmin and Lee Jaesung supporting centre forward Hwang Uijo; and goalkeeper Gu Sungyun.

Currently ranked at 11th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking, Mexico surged forward from the outset causing all sorts of problems for the Korean rearguard. The Mexicans took advantage of a defensive mistake on 16 minutes, when Raul Jimenez lurked into the centre of the area with only Gu Sungyun to beat. But the goalkeeper did well to stop the point-blank shot from the Wolverhampton striker, whose another effort from the rebound was denied by an outstretched leg of the custodian. .....

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