The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Jürgen Klinsmann, ended the first half of the second Group C match of the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup (U.S.-Mexico-Canada) Asia qualifying round held at the Universiade Sports Center in Shenzhen, China, at 9 p.m. on the 21st (Korea time).
The home team China put forward a 3-5-2 formation. Tanlong, Wu Lei, Liu Yang, Wei Xihao, Wang Sangyuan, Wuxi, Liu Binbin, Zhu Chen Che, Jang Sung-lung, Zhang Linfeng, and Yan Junling participated.
Team Korea, the visiting team, launched a 4-4-2 formation. Cho Kyu-sung and Son Heung-min were deployed to the front line, while Hwang Hee-chan, Hwang In-beom, Park Yong-woo and Lee Kang-in were midfielders. Lee Ki-je, Kim Min-jae, Jung Seung-hyun and Kim Tae-hwan paired the defense, and Kim Seung-gyu wore goalkeeper gloves.
Kim Jin-soo, Park Jin-seop, Lee Jae-sung, Song Beom-geun, Lee Soon-min, Moon Seon-min, Hwang Ui-jo, Jung Woo-young, Kim Young-kwon, Oh Hyun-kyu, Cho Hyun-woo, and Seol Young-woo were on the candidate list. 경마사이트
South Korea scored the first goal. In the 9th minute of the first half, Hwang Hee-chan gave it to Cho Kyu-sung, who penetrated after breaking through from the left side. The subsequent shot was deflected and floated, and Hwang Hee-chan tripped in the process of rushing. The referee declared a penalty kick. Son Heung-min stepped up as a kicker and finished calmly with the bottom left. Son Heung-min didn’t forget the “click ceremony” after performing the “shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh” ceremony.
South Korea’s additional points were canceled. In the 16th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in handled the corner kick sharply. Cho Kyu-sung hit a high RBI header shot, but it slightly popped over the crossbar. In the 20th minute of the first half, Hwang In-beom’s bold mid-range shot was blocked by the defensive block.
South Korea kept attacking. And in the 23rd minute of the first half, Lee Ki-je’s mid-range shot became a bound and was put in the goalkeeper’s arms. In the 24th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min shot in front of the penalty arc after exchanging passes with Hwang In-beom Lee Dae-il. When he came out after hitting the goalkeeper’s hand, Hwang Hee-chan shot again, but he was caught flying weakly.
Korea swallowed its regret. In the 27th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min got a free kick. Hwang In-beom kicked as a kicker, and the ball slightly fell to the side of the net.
As such, South Korea has consistently dominated the economic trend. In the 34th minute of the first half, Lee Ki-je’s cross hit Cho Kyu-sung’s head and flowed out of the penalty box. Lee Kang-in handled it with a right-footed shot, which hit the defensive block and escaped.
China recorded a shot. In the 42nd minute of the first half, Lee Ki-je lost the ball in the Korean camp. Tanlong, who received Ryu Bin-bin’s pass, shot in the penalty box, and the ball shook the side net.
South Korea fought back. In the 44th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in dribbled through the penalty box and gave it to penetrating Son Heung-min. Son Heung-min’s turning shot was blocked by the goalkeeper. In the following scene, Son Heung-min reported multiple goals. In the 45th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in scored a corner kick, and Son Heung-min jumped toward the near post and fired a header. The ball hit the corner of the par post.