South Korea U19 vs Argentina U19: EOU Cup Match Report
The 2nd Annual EOU Cup, taking place in Seoul, South Korea, featured the hosts competing against the South American giants, Argentina, in the second game of this year's competition.
South Korea made it two wins from two in the 2024 Seoul EOU U19 International competition. The home nation had to work hard for the victory against a physical opponent but could have won by a larger margin. Incheon United’s Baek Min-gyu scored the game’s only goal, as Korea withstood some late pressure to secure the win.
The two sides had contrasting results on match day one of this year’s international friendly tournament. The South Korean hosts started with a comfortable 4-1 win over Thailand, while Argentina faltered later in the day, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Indonesia despite leading at halftime.
Korea began brightly, with good wing play from Yeongdeungpo Technical High School’s Kim Hyun-woo putting Argentina on the back foot. Hannam University’s Hong Seok-hyun had the first effort of the game; his 20-yard shot flashed wide after a prolonged period of possession for the home team. Argentina gradually gained influence, but their direct play proved ineffective with Korean defence well marshalled by captain Jung Sung-min of Suwon Bluewings.
The first significant chance came from a sharp turn by Seoul E-Land striker Kim Gyeol, playing at his home stadium, on the right side of the box. His low cross was met by Park Su-been, who plays in Spain for Leganés B, but the winger couldn’t control the shot under pressure, and it sailed wide. The pressure built as defender Lee Ye-chan headed just wide from close range following a corner.
The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute. A quick interchange between Kim Hyun-woo and Kim Gyeol resulted in the latter’s low left-footed effort on goal being well saved by Argentina’s keeper, Lucas Schneider. However, the rebound was gobbled up by Incheon United’s Baek Min-gyu from close range.
Captain Lee Ye-chan was then booked for a potential last-man foul in the 30th minute as Argentina began to push forward more. The referee showed leniency given the friendly nature of the fixture. Korea managed to restrict Argentina to only a few set pieces as the visitors struggled to find rhythm. Korea aimed to add to their lead before halftime, as they had in their previous game against Thailand. The industrious Hong Seok-hyun came closest with a low effort from the side of the box that went just wide.
Argentina started the second half more positively and had their first shot on target within the first minute of the restart. Santiago Puzzo’s low drive from just outside the box was comfortably saved by Jeonbuk Hyundai’s Gong Si-yeon. The game became more physical, with lots of off-the-ball contact and some contentious offside calls drawing ire from the Argentine bench. Hong Seok-hyun was the next to be booked for a strong tackle in midfield as both sides battled fiercely.
The football returned with a smart move down Korea’s left flank, resulting in a double save and multiple chances around the six-yard box, with Park Su-been ultimately firing wide. Puzzo then returned fire for Argentina with an effort from a tight angle that went well over.
In the 69th minute, a lovely flowing move from Korea saw substitutes Son Seung-min and Kim Myeong-jun combine, with Kim’s effort well saved by Schneider. The hosts continued to come closest to adding to their lead, with Pohang Steelers’ Kim Dong-min’s lofted 40-yard free kick almost evading the advancing Schneider. Korea thought they had sealed the game in the 85th minute when Kim Myeong-jun again broke free before cutting back and firing a left-footed shot agonizingly wide.
In the 87th minute, Puzzo’s delivery from a free kick somehow went unconverted from a close-range effort by centre back Roselli, as the visitors threatened to undo all of Korea’s good work with a late equalizer. The drama continued in the 90th minute when a late whistle from the Korean referee prevented a one-on-one opportunity for Argentina, sending their bench into despair. However, Korea withstood alate barrage and came away with the hard fought win.
Both teams have one final match on Sunday, with Korea facing Indonesia and Argentina playing against Thailand. Brazilian head coach Emerson Pereira Da Silva after today’s victory stated that it would be great to secure another win over his South American rival.
LINEUPS:
South Korea U19: Gong Si-hyeon, Jung Sung-min (C), Lee Ye-chan (Shin Min-ha 67’), Bae Hyun-seo, Lee Chang-woo (Cho In-jung 70’), Park Su-been (Kim Dong-min 59’), Lee Soo-ah, Baek Min-gyu (Jin Jun-seo HT), Hong Seok-hyun (Son Seung-min 67’), Kim Hyun-woo, Kim Gyeol (Kim Myeong-jun 59’) Subs not used: Park Sang-young, Shim Yeon-won, Moon Jun-hyuk, Lee Geon-hee, Kim Tae-won, Baek Ga-on.
Argentina U19: Lucas Schneider, Zahir Rached, Nazareno Roselli, Bautista Morel (Tobias Lescano78’), Mirko Zemlich (C), Jonathan Ledesma, Santiago Puzzo, Dylan Cabral (Santiago Colidio 62’), Lucas Alfonso (Mateo Benegas 75), Mauricio Ponce, Matias Bogado (Tomas Bernardoni 62’) Subs not used: Joaquin Baldo, Tiago Gonzalez, Rodrigo Stocco, Gianluca Banuera, Matias Favale.
Reporter: Ross Davis
First Game H/L here