Late Lee Jeong-hyeop goal salvages Korea Republic draw with U23 counterparts

Goyang: Korea Republic needed a late goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with their U-23 counterparts in a friendly at the Goyang Stadium on Friday.

Head coach Kim Hak-bum's side looked set for a famous win but were denied in the 89th minute by striker Lee Jeong-hyeop's equaliser.

Paulo Bento's senior side - consisting only locally based players - took the lead in the 14th minute through Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Lee Ju-yong.

The U23 side, who emerged champions in the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020 in January, equalised in the 50th minute through debutant Song Min-kyu.

Eight minutes later, they were ahead with the senior side's skipper Kwon Kyung-won deflecting the ball into his own net.

There was, however, not to be a famous victory for the U23 side as a counter-attack late in the game saw midfielder Kim In-sung finding Lee, who shot low past goalkeeper Song Bum-keun.

The two teams will meet again on Monday with the winners to be decided on the final aggregate score. The victorious side will donate 100 million won (US$86,340) to help Korea Republic's fight against the novel coronavirus.

Photo: Korea Football Association