This international friendly was part of both sides’ preparations for their respective forthcoming summer tournaments - South Korea will feature in the Asian Cup in Qatar, while Colombia have the Copa America in the United States. The Taegeuk Warriors started the brighter of the two sides as they look to protect a fine record in head-to-heads against Los Cafeteros with only one loss in eight previous matches.
Lee Jae-Sung caused problems down the Colombian right with some darting runs that had full-back Daniel Munoz worried, but it was South Korean superstar Son Heung-Min who grabbed the game’s first goal. A mistake by the visiting defence’s backline saw Colombian goalkeeper Camilo Vargas isolated, which allowed Son to curl a lovely strike into an empty net.
Nestor Lorenzo’s men almost hit back when Rafael Borre’s header went just over the bar, while the hosts thought they had a penalty when Carlos Cuesta’s challenge on Son was adjudged to be illegal by the referee. The foul, though, occurred outside the area and following a VAR check, this was confirmed. Although that free-kick was denied by Vargas, there was nothing the shot-stopper could do to thwart Son set-piece’s in first-half injury-time as his shot nestled in the corner.
Whatever Lorenzo said to his side at half-time obviously worked, however, as Colombia came out all guns blazing after the interval and pulled a goal back within 120 seconds of the restart. Rodriguez had been anonymous up until this point, but his side-footed strike pulled his side back in the game. Minutes later, the visitors equalised through Carrascal, the midfielder latched onto a super cross from Munoz for his first international goal to leave the home supporters shocked.
While both sides ventured forward with vigour in the closing stages, the eventual draw was a fair result. Although both managers have work to do to eradicate sloppy defensive errors, they should be generally pleased with the way their respective sides played. Next up on Tuesday, South Korea face Uruguay and Colombia play Japan.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Son Heung-Min (South Korea)
