South Korea national football team took on China in a scintillating performance when their team played the first match in the 2025 East Asia Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship. Coached by the head coach Hong Myung-bo, the South Koreans took center stage in the first half and secured two fantastic goals that pretty much set the stage for an exciting tournament as well. The game was held in the Yongin Mir Stadium, and the South Korean audience was able to see their team against the Chinese opponents in tactics and skills to perform.
First Half Dominance: South Korea Takes Control
The South Korea vs China game began with intrinsic intensity as the home team attacked the visitors right during the first whistle. In the 7th minute, Lee Dong-kyung came up with a magic moment that left the crowd on their feet. The nifty midfielder passed the ball in front of the right half of the penalty area and delivered a breathtaking shot, using his left foot, in a curling mode that went in at the far post. This was a remarkable goal that put South Korea one goal up, and the rest of the match was surely won.
It is not only the beautiful goal that Lee Dong-kyung was aiming at, but tactically significant. It made China step out of its defensive shell and opened up more room for exploitation towards South Korea. The object demonstrated the technicality that makes South Korean football very exciting to watch.
Joo Min-kyu Doubles the Lead with Perfect Header
South Korea did not end at that. Striker Joo Min-kyu, one of the brightest prospective forwards in Asian football, demonstrated this in the 20th minute. Lee Tae-seok sent a flawless left-footed cross into the penalty box, and Joo Min-kyu broke through the Chinese defence to head back home, and this time the scoreline was 2-0.
This was one of the objectives to show the tactical superiority of South Korea. The 3-4-3 formation of the team enabled the wingbacks to go forward in an attempt to create many chances of crossing. The 4-3-1-2 of China was unable to handle the width and movement created by the South Korean side.
The tactical organization of the coach Hong Myung-bo was ideal in this game of the East Asian Cup. South Korea enjoyed numbers in the major areas of the pitch, due to the 3-4-3 formation. The wingbacks, Kim Moon-hwan and Kim Joo-sung, ensured width at all times, and the three center-backs, including Park Jin-seop, ensured the defence was stabilised.
However, with coach Dejan Jurjevic leading the charge, China struggled to crack the tight wall of defense that South Korea had put around them. The Chinese team had only half-chances in the first half, with the best chance in the 37th minute when a long-range shot of Gao Ten flew over the goal.
The midfielding trio of Kim Jin-gyu, Kim Bong-soo, and Lee Tae-seok bossed the match for South Korea. Balance of pressure was applied when China was in possession, and many opportunities emerged when Korea attacked. This was a critical element to South Korea’s performance in the first half because of this domination in the middle of the pitch.
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