On a chilly November night at Seoul World Cup Stadium, the South Korean national football team delivered a performance that left the crowd buzzing and their opponents, Ghana, heading home empty-handed. The friendly match on November 18, 2025, was more than just a routine warm-up for the upcoming Asian Cup—it was a showcase of tactical innovation, emerging talent, and the kind of grit that has become synonymous with Korean football.
Kickoff came at 8 PM local time, with the temperature hovering near freezing, but the energy inside the stadium was anything but cold. About 33,000 fans—half the stadium’s capacity—turned out, filling the stands with a vibrant sea of red and white, their cheers echoing through the crisp Seoul night. The stakes might not have been as high as a World Cup qualifier, but for those on the pitch and in the stands, every minute mattered.
South Korea, under the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo, entered the match riding a wave of confidence. The team had recently secured back-to-back victories in November friendlies, including a 2-0 win over Bolivia just days earlier in Daejeon. This run of form, capped by another clean sheet against Ghana, marked a third consecutive friendly win for the Taeguk Warriors—a streak that has fans dreaming big ahead of the Asian Cup.
Coach Hong wasn’t afraid to shake things up. He rolled out a new 3-4-3 formation, opting to test fresh combinations and give opportunities to players who’d been waiting in the wings. The starting lineup featured Oh Hyeon-gyu as the central striker, flanked by the ever-dangerous Son Heung-min and creative midfielder Lee Kang-in. Jens Castrop and Kwon Hyuk-kyu anchored the midfield, while Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo patrolled the flanks. The back three of Kim Min-jae, Cho Yu-min, and Park Jin-seop provided a sturdy shield in front of goalkeeper Song Bum-keun, who was making his first start for the senior national team under Hong’s tenure.
Song Bum-keun seized his moment. Early in the first half, he thwarted a dangerous run from Ghana’s Christopher Bonsu, showing the poise and reflexes that had earned him a spot in the starting eleven. Ghana, for their part, didn’t make things easy. They absorbed Korea’s early pressure and mounted several promising attacks of their own, particularly through Kamaldeen Sulemana’s bold runs down the flank and some well-drilled set pieces. Still, the Korean defense held firm.
The first half was a tense, tactical chess match. Korea’s pressing game kept Ghana on their toes, but the visitors managed to carve out a few half-chances, none more threatening than Kwon Hyuk-kyu’s header from a Son Heung-min corner in the 42nd minute, which was safely gathered by Ghanaian keeper Benjamin Asare. The halftime whistle blew with the score locked at 0-0, leaving fans wondering who would blink first.
After the break, Coach Hong made his intentions clear, bringing on Seo Min-woo and Kim Jin-kyu to refresh the midfield. The changes injected new energy, but Ghana nearly capitalized on a rare defensive lapse, with Prince Kwabena Adu’s breakaway effort ruled out for offside. The match was finely poised, and you could feel the tension ratchet up with every passing minute.
The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute, and it was a thing of beauty. Lee Kang-in, who had been probing and prodding the Ghanaian defense all night, whipped in a left-footed cross from the right wing. The ball arced toward the far post, where Lee Tae-seok timed his run to perfection, rising above the defense to nod home his first-ever international goal. The stadium erupted. According to CBC News, "Lee Kang-in’s precise cross from the wing and Lee Tae-seok’s header broke the deadlock." It was the only goal of the night, but it was enough to tip the balance in Korea’s favor.
Coach Hong didn’t rest on his laurels. He made a flurry of substitutions, bringing on Hwang Hee-chan and Cho Gue-sung to keep the attack fresh. Hwang, always a sparkplug, almost doubled the lead in the 72nd minute when he was brought down in the box by Ghana’s Caleb Irenky. Hwang stepped up to take the penalty himself, but Asare guessed right, smothering the shot and keeping Ghana’s hopes alive. As reported in Article 3, "Hwang Hee-chan’s penalty shot went straight at Asare, missing the chance to extend the lead."
Ghana, to their credit, didn’t fold. They pressed forward in search of an equalizer, with substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante rattling the post with a long-range effort. In the dying minutes, they thought they’d found a lifeline when Bonsu bundled the ball into the net during a goalmouth scramble, but the assistant’s flag was up—offside. The Korean defense, marshaled by Kim Min-jae and Song Bum-keun, held firm to the final whistle.
Throughout the match, South Korea’s teamwork and discipline stood out. The new tactical setup allowed for fluid transitions and quick interplay, while the defense remained organized and resilient. The team’s ability to blend experienced stalwarts like Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae with rising stars such as Lee Kang-in and Lee Tae-seok bodes well for the future.
This victory capped off a successful November for the Taeguk Warriors, who also notched a 2-0 win over Bolivia on November 14, thanks to goals from Son Heung-min and Cho Gue-sung. According to CBC News, "The South Korean men’s national team has now recorded three consecutive friendly wins." Each match has served as valuable preparation for the Asian Cup, giving Coach Hong a chance to experiment with formations and personnel while maintaining a winning mentality.
Fans and pundits alike will be dissecting this performance in the days to come. Was this the match where a new generation of Korean footballers truly announced themselves? Did Hong’s tactical tweaks unlock something special? One thing’s for certain: with momentum on their side and a deep, talented squad at their disposal, South Korea is shaping up to be a formidable force in Asian football.
As the stadium lights dimmed and the players took a well-earned lap to salute their supporters, the mood was one of cautious optimism. The Taeguk Warriors have passed another test, and with the Asian Cup looming, they look ready for whatever comes next.
