Three-time champions South Korea celebrated their first victory in three matches in the 30th edition of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup following a 1-0 result over Canada in Ipoh today.
Midfielder Oh Seyong, featuring in his third international match, scored via a field goal in the 13th minute of the match for the first quarter lead. The second quarter was delayed by ten minutes because of heavy downpour.
Champions in 1990, 2010 and in the 2019 edition, the Koreans went on to register their first three points in the tournament and are placed in fifth position out of six teams in the table standings.
The last meeting between both the teams was at the 2022 Nations Cup in Potchefstroom, South Africa, which the Koreans won 6-2.
Historically, the Koreans have held the upper hand over the Canadians in the last nine out of 12 encounters between the two nations since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, with three other matches ending in draws.
The Canadians won three penalty corners throughout the match but failed to convert any.
SOUTH KOREA: TAESEOK MIN (COACH)
“The goalkeeper was very busy stopping the Canadians from scoring. He was many times involved in a one-on-one situation and that is something the defenders had allowed. We have to look into this and not let it happen again.
We have many youngsters in Korea who are playing well and we are grooming them to replace drag-flick specialist Jang Jong Hyun who has been an important player in the team for many years. We have one player who is good and we will introduce him when the time comes.”
MAN OF THE MATCH: OF SEYONG (SOUTH KOREA)
“I am new in the team and I need to play in many international matches to gain the experience. Today I am happy with the goal scored and this tournament has given me the confidence needed.
We still have matches and hopefully we can continue to win them. I am enjoying it.”
CANADA: PATRICK TSHUTSHANI (COACH)
“I am not very unhappy with the way the players played in the first quarter They did not play to what we had discussed before the start of the match. The goal scored should not have happened. We gave them an opportunity o score.
But in the next three quarters I think we had the momentum going and created many opportunities.
We did put some pressure on the Koreans and our performance was much better today than in the two earlier matches. To be realistic there was some progress in the tournament. We face Pakistan in our next game and the Pakistanis are quick and we have to stay in the contest and give our best.”
