Korea Defeats US in World Cup Warm-Up

The Korean national soccer team, ranked 29th in the world by FIFA, defeated its seventh-ranked U.S. counterpart, 2-1 yesterday.

The unofficial match took place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California and was played in three periods of 30 minutes each.

Kim Jin-gyu scored Korea’s first goal 13 minutes into the first period when he kicked a powerful free kick into the net. Korea’s other goal was scored by Jeong Jo-guk off a long pass from Kim Du-hyeon.

The U.S. scored its lone goal 18 minutes into the second period.

Korea continued to feature a four-back system by fielding Jang Hak-yeong, Kim Jin-gyu, Yu Gyeong-ryeol, and Choi Tae-wuk as its four backs; and Park Ju-young, Lee Dong-guk, and Jeong Jo-guk as attackers in a 4-3-3 formation. Goalie Jo Jun-ho, who has not played recently, and Choi Tae-wuk played the full 90 minutes for Korea.

The U.S. fielded Landon Donovan and Taylor Twellman, but U.S. “soccer prodigy” Freddy Adu was absent due to professional obligations to his club, D.C. United.

Team U.S.A. has a record of one win and one draw in games against Norway and Canada, and will play an evaluation match against the Japanese national team on February 11.

Korea beat the U.S. team for the first time since a friendly match in 2001. Yesterday’s match was not recorded as an official A-level match, however.

Korea currently has the lead in the A-match series between the two with five wins, three draws and two losses against the U.S. team.

Won-Hong Lee bluesky@donga.com