SINGAPORE: With Son Heung-min firing on all cylinders, South Korea romped to a 7-0 victory against Singapore at a sold-out National Stadium on Thursday (Jun 6).
Goals from Joo Min-kyu, Bae Jun-ho and substitute Hwang Hee-chan along with doubles from Son as well as Lee Kang-in wrapped up the three points as the Lions remain rooted to the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.
In front of 49,097 fans, Tottenham Hotspur forward Son looked dangerous straight from the off, as he wreaked havoc on the left flank.
But it was a moment of magic from Lee which gave the South Koreans the lead, after he wriggled past two defenders and hammered a strike past Hassan Sunny.
Minutes later, Singapore fashioned a good chance at an equaliser, but striker Ikhsan Fandi’s header was pushed away smartly by Jo Hyeon-woo.
South Korea interim head coach Kim Do-hoon’s team were clearly looking to stretch play down the sidelines and they doubled their lead in the 20th minute after Kim Jin-su whipped a delicious cross into the Singapore penalty box.
Lurking was Joo, who had the freedom of the box to plant a header home.
Singapore struggled to craft much going forward as the South Koreans almost tripled their lead after a defensive mix-up soon after
South Korea are currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA World Rankings, while Singapore sit in 155th spot.
After the half, Tsutomu Ogura’s men looked energetic, but their opponents were content to soak up the pressure before playing their way out from the back just as they had in the first 45.
And it was Son once again who beat his man and squared a delicate cut-back, only for the pass to elude everyone.
Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny makes a save during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Lee Kangin scores the first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Singapore on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea players celebrate their first goal against Singapore in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore’s Ryhan Stewart defends against South Korea’s Son Heung Min during a World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Son Heung Min scores his first goal against Singapore during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Son Heung Min celebrates with his team after scoring his first goal against Singapore during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
This was Ogura's second home match as Singapore's head coach. Singapore held China to a 2-2 draw in his first match in charge, before losing 1-4 in the reverse fixture in Tianjin.
Singapore had lost their first two matches in their qualifying group last November, with a 3-1 loss to Thailand and a 5-0 drubbing by South Korea in the reverse fixture in Seoul.
There would be no denying the energetic Son, who was at the centre of everything good for his side, as he slalomed into the box and curled a strike past Hassan.
With the Lions reeling, another poor defensive display saw Lee in acres of space in the 54th minute and he would make no mistake.
Then it was Son again as he made it look all too easy as he tucked home another brilliant strike in the 56th minute.
To the disappointment of some in the stadium, he would be denied his hat-trick with 15 minutes left on the clock after a good stop from Hassan.
But South Korea were not done, as Bae (79th minute) and Hwang (82nd minute) wrapped up a scintillating showing.
Singapore, who have one point from five matches, will next face Thailand in an away clash next Tuesday.
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
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Goals from Joo Min-kyu, Bae Jun-ho and substitute Hwang Hee-chan along with doubles from Son as well as Lee Kang-in wrapped up the three points as the Lions remain rooted to the bottom of their World Cup qualifying group.
In front of 49,097 fans, Tottenham Hotspur forward Son looked dangerous straight from the off, as he wreaked havoc on the left flank.
But it was a moment of magic from Lee which gave the South Koreans the lead, after he wriggled past two defenders and hammered a strike past Hassan Sunny.
Minutes later, Singapore fashioned a good chance at an equaliser, but striker Ikhsan Fandi’s header was pushed away smartly by Jo Hyeon-woo.
South Korea interim head coach Kim Do-hoon’s team were clearly looking to stretch play down the sidelines and they doubled their lead in the 20th minute after Kim Jin-su whipped a delicious cross into the Singapore penalty box.
Lurking was Joo, who had the freedom of the box to plant a header home.
Singapore struggled to craft much going forward as the South Koreans almost tripled their lead after a defensive mix-up soon after
South Korea are currently ranked 23rd in the FIFA World Rankings, while Singapore sit in 155th spot.
After the half, Tsutomu Ogura’s men looked energetic, but their opponents were content to soak up the pressure before playing their way out from the back just as they had in the first 45.
And it was Son once again who beat his man and squared a delicate cut-back, only for the pass to elude everyone.
Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny makes a save during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Lee Kangin scores the first goal in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match against Singapore on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea players celebrate their first goal against Singapore in the first half of a World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore’s Ryhan Stewart defends against South Korea’s Son Heung Min during a World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Son Heung Min scores his first goal against Singapore during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
South Korea’s Son Heung Min celebrates with his team after scoring his first goal against Singapore during a FIFA World Cup qualifier match Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
This was Ogura's second home match as Singapore's head coach. Singapore held China to a 2-2 draw in his first match in charge, before losing 1-4 in the reverse fixture in Tianjin.
Singapore had lost their first two matches in their qualifying group last November, with a 3-1 loss to Thailand and a 5-0 drubbing by South Korea in the reverse fixture in Seoul.
There would be no denying the energetic Son, who was at the centre of everything good for his side, as he slalomed into the box and curled a strike past Hassan.
With the Lions reeling, another poor defensive display saw Lee in acres of space in the 54th minute and he would make no mistake.
Then it was Son again as he made it look all too easy as he tucked home another brilliant strike in the 56th minute.
To the disappointment of some in the stadium, he would be denied his hat-trick with 15 minutes left on the clock after a good stop from Hassan.
But South Korea were not done, as Bae (79th minute) and Hwang (82nd minute) wrapped up a scintillating showing.
Singapore, who have one point from five matches, will next face Thailand in an away clash next Tuesday.
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
Singapore fans at the National Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier match against South Korea on Jun 6, 2024. (Photo: CNA/Eugene Goh)
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