Under the lights in Suwon, Robert Moreno’s first night as South Korea coach ended with a convincing 3-0 win over Ecuador, while Marcelo Gallardo’s new Ecuador side found the opening stop on its Asian tour far more demanding than hoped.
Nearly 40,000 spectators filled Suwon World Cup Stadium for a friendly that carried the edge of a competitive fixture. Moreno, appointed through the Korean federation’s open recruitment process, saw his side press high, play with control and punish Ecuador’s lapses after the interval. Gallardo, beginning the work of shaping a new Ecuador team during this FIFA window, was left with a difficult first examination.
A sharp Korean debut
South Korea set the tone from the outset with aggressive pressure and a disciplined shape that prevented Ecuador from settling. The visitors did not manage a shot on target until the 60th minute, by which point they were already two goals behind.
The intensity was evident in the bookings. By the half-hour mark, referee Shen Yinhao of China had shown four yellow cards, three to Ecuador players. There were no efforts on target before the interval, but the match changed quickly after the restart.
- In the 54th minute, Oh Hyun-Gyu struck from distance. His effort took a deflection off Porozo, looping over goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez after he had moved from his line, to give South Korea the lead.
- Four minutes later, captain Son Heung-min doubled the advantage with a remarkable free-kick. From a narrow angle, he curled a right-footed shot over the wall and beyond Galíndez into the far top corner.
- Ecuador finally tested the Korean goal after the hour and later hit the post with around 20 minutes remaining, but their response came too late to alter the direction of the contest.
- Lee Dong, introduced from the bench, completed the scoring in the 86th minute, taking advantage of defensive disarray for Ecuador.
Different beginnings for Moreno and Gallardo
For Son, no longer in the regular glare of the Champions League and English Premier League, the finish was another reminder of the quality of his striking technique. His goal brought the Suwon crowd to its feet and confirmed South Korea’s authority during the decisive early phase of the second half.
Moreno’s team were the better side across the first hour, combining ambition with efficiency in front of goal. Ecuador’s result was a clear setback, though this Asian trip is only Gallardo’s first opportunity to establish his approach with a squad that remains in a period of construction and adjustment.
Teams and match details
| South Korea | Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Kim Seung-Gyu | Galíndez |
| Seol Young-Woo, Lee Han-Beom, Kim Min-Jae, Cho Hyun-Taek | Preciado, Porozo, Pacho, Estupiñán |
| Jung Seung-Won, Lee Jae-Sung, Park Jin-Seop, Song Min-Gyu | Vite, Franco, Arroyo, Yeboah Zamora, N. Angulo |
| Son Heung-min, Oh Hyun-Gyu | Jordy Caicedo |
| Coach: Robert Moreno | Coach: Marcelo Gallardo |
South Korea used Lee Tae-Seok and Kim Tae-Hyeron in the 65th minute, Hwang Hee-chan in the 65th minute, Cho Wi-Je in the 75th minute, plus Kim Minsu, Lee Dong and Oh Se-hun in the 75th minute. Ecuador brought on Castillo, Mercado and J. Anulo in the 66th minute, then Valencia in the 74th.
Shen booked South Korea’s Park Jin-seop, Lee Han-beom and Jung Seung-won. Ecuador’s cautions went to Porozo, Arroyo, Jordy Caicedo and Estupiñán.
