The friendly was part of Saudi Arabia's preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia, where they will face hosts Russia in the tournament opener on June 14.

Saudi Arabia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi was pleased with his team's performance despite the defeat.

"In the second half we held our own against one of the best teams in the world," said Pizzi. "Although they are not in the World Cup, they have a great coach, an unparalleled history."

Son broke the scoreless deadlock near the hour mark at Daegu Stadium, some 300 kilometres southeast of Seoul, firing a shot off his left foot from just outside the top of the circle. Then substitute Moon Seon-min, in his international debut, netted the insurance goal in the 71st.

This was the first of two tune-up matches for the FIFA World Cup-bound Korea Republic. They'll next face Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday in Jeonju, before head coach Shin Tae-yong whittles down his training camp roster of 26 to the squad of 23.

Korea Republic extended their undefeated home streak to 16 matches, with 13 wins and three draws, a run that dates back to March 2015.

The former Real Madrid head coach will lead his team into matches with Morocco, Spain and his native Portugal in the group phase of this summer’s tournament with the goal of taking the Iranians into the second round for the first time in the country’s history.

And the 65-year-old is confident his players will be fully focused on achieving that goal when they kick off their 2018 campaign in St. Petersburg against Morocco on June 15 despite stating his desire to end his seven-year stint with Iran.

Ever since making their debut at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France, Japan have experienced many highs and lows over the years. Here are some of their best moments on the global stage in the five tournaments they have featured in since then:

With the final eight of the 2018 AFC Champions League decided and the draw conducted, eyes of Asian football fans turn to Russia for the FIFA World Cup, where five Asian nations will be present. Fans of AFC Champions League quarter-finalists will have one eye on their respective clubs' players looking to make a name for themselves in Russia.

A total of 14 players will be representing seven of the eight finalists, testament to the growing profile of the top club competition in Asia. Qatar's Al Duhail are the only side of the eight with no representatives amongst the 736 players competing for international glory next month.

With the 2018 FIFA World Cup just weeks away from kicking off in Russia, with Saudi Arabia playing the host nation in the opening match in Moscow on 14 June, we take a look at five iconic goals scored by Asian players in FIFA World Cup history.

Leading from the back or scoring memorable goals at the grandest of stages, these 5 players set the bar high for Asian players as five Asian countries head to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.