The game ended in a comfortable victory, but there was definitely a thread that could have been tangled. The post-match spotlight was on Lee Kang-in for his multi-goal performance, but Hwang In-beom for unraveling the tangled threads.
Jürgen Klinsmann’s South Korea won their Asian Cup Group E opener against Bahrain 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Friday (July 15), led by multi-goal scorer Lee Kang-in.
The South Koreans were generally heavy-handed in the first half. Even Lee Kang-in, who danced and fluttered in the second half, was hardly visible in the first half.
The pressure of the first match of the tournament was high, and their opponents were also very fit and quick to follow their every move. When things weren’t going so well for Korea against Bahrain’s strong start and three players were cautioned in the first 28 minutes, Korea found their stride with Hwang In-beom.
Even when most of the players were stiff, Hwang In-beom continued to sparkle early on. With his unique ability to break pressure, Hwang led the offense with multiple transitions and penetrating passes.
He even managed to finish himself. In the 38th minute of the first half, when frustration gradually turned to anxiety, Hwang In-beom received a low, quick cross from Lee Jae-sung on the left flank and calmly finished into the left corner. It was a goal that came when we needed it most.
The value of this goal was huge. The tide, which had been somewhat uneven up until that point, turned sharply in Korea’s favor. Hwang In-beom played the full game and assisted Lee Kang-in’s wedge goal, giving South Korea their first win with a goal and an assist.
It was a game that proved why Hwang’s place in the Korean national team is so secure, even in a squad full of stars such as captain Son Heung-min, Kim Min-jae, Lee Kang-in, and Hwang Hee-chan.
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