However, it took some time for the players to adjust to unfamiliar system and combinations, as they struggled to create any clear-cut chances despite taking control of the game from the outset. But there was a change of the flow midway through the first half, with Cho taking first shot on target with a sizzling effort on 27 minutes.

The deadlock was broken after 33 minutes when Kwon Chanhoon put Cho through on goal with a neat pass from the right. Cho then broke into the area to send a cross across the goalmouth, where Song headed home from close range to score his first goal for Korea Republic since his international debut against Sri Lanka during the second round of the Asian Qualifiers in June last year.

After taking a 1-0 lead at halftime, Bento continued to experiment his side making a series of substitutions, in an attempt to find the right combinations: Cho Yoomin had already replaced Park Jisu on the stroke of halftime, before five men – Na Sangho, Son Junho, Kim Taehwan, Oh Hyeongyu and Kim Moonhwan – came off the bench in the second half. .....

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