Seol Ki-hyeon scored on his return to national team duty as South Korea defeated Australia 3-1 in a soccer friendly in Seoul yesterday.
An action-packed first half saw South Korea take a two-goal lead by the 20-minute mark and Patrick Kisnorbo head Australia back into contention soon after. The second half was relatively quiet until Fulham’s Seol headed past club teammate and Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer late in the game.
The hosts went ahead after just five minutes. A slip from Australia defender Shane Stefanutto gave Lee Chung-yong the opportunity to find Park Chu-young inside the Australian area and the Monaco striker rolled a low shot past Schwarzer.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Fifteen minutes later, more lax defending allowed Lee Jang-soo to turn the ball into the Australian net from close range.
The Socceroos were back in the game after 33 minutes as Leeds United defender Patrick Kisnorbo got to a Mark Bresciano free kick before Korean goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae, heading into an empty net.
South Korea was on top of the match for long periods, but with the Australian threat from set pieces the lead never looked safe.
Substitute Nick Carle forced a flying save from Lee with a long-range shot midway through the half as well as a fierce freekick from Bresciano.
With four minutes left, Manchester United’s Park Ji-sung crossed for Seol, in his first appearance for the national team for almost 18 months, to head the goal and seal a deserved win.
In the Netherlands, Japan beat the hosts 3-1 in their friendly yesterday.
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