South Korea sign off in good style against Jazira

The Koreans named a strong side for the behind-closed-doors friendly against the a makeshift side of the Abu Dhabi club.

ABU DHABI // The South Korean national team enjoyed a comfortable 2-0 victory over UAE domestic side Al Jazira last night in their final warm-up match before the Asian Cup gets under way in Doha in two days' time.

Kwang-rae Cho, the Korean manager, named a strong side for the behind-closed-doors friendly at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, with Ji-Sung Park of Manchester United and Chung-yong Lee of Bolton Wanderers, featuring either side of Sung-yueng Ki in the midfield.

Jazira, in contrast, fielded a make-shift team with coach Abel Braga being left without many of his Emirati performers are on international duty with the UAE.

The visitors' experience was evident from the opening exchanges with Park, drifting in off the left flank, providing early problems for Jazira full-back Yaser Mattar. Meanwhile, South Korea's two forwards - Ja-Cheoul Koo and Dong-won Ji - both failed to convert chances.

However, two goals within the space of five first-half minute ended the contest.

A beautiful cross-field ball was controlled by Young-pyo Lee, who floated a cross towards the back post that was met by Bolton's Lee.

Moments later and the Bolton wideman had helped his side double their lead. The 22-year-old burst through the Jazira box before Al Snani hauled him to the ground. Ki swept home the resultant penalty with ease.

Korea made wholesale changes at the break and the game lost its tempo. It was not until the 70th minute when a Jazira free-kick was swung, evaded the entire defence and forced Jin-hyeon Kim to tip over the crossbar.

Heung-min Son should have added to the score late on, but his shot was stopped by Khalid Issa.