Kuala Lumpur: On a busy night of international friendlies, Korea Republic edged Australia 1-0 while China PR saw off the challenge of the Philippines with a 2-0 win on Friday.
KOREA REPUBLIC 1-0 AUSTRALIA
Busan: Hwang Ui-jo was the star of the night with his second half goal as Korea Republic defeated Australia 1-0.
A tight first half saw the teams heading into the break level at a packed Busan Asiad Stadium.
Korea Republic, who fell in the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 quarter-finals to eventual winners Qatar, came back strongly in the second half with skipper Son Heung-min denied by Australian goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne.
The breakthrough did come for the home team in the 76th minute when Hong Chul’s cross from the right flank was only partially blocked by defender Brandon Borello, with the incoming Hwang tapping the ball into the back of the net.
Korea Republic will next play Islamic Republic of Iran in Seoul on Tuesday.
[현장ì—ì„œ] â€˜ê¸°ë‹¤ë ¸ë‹¤ A매치’...ë¶€ì‚°ì´ 15ë…„ ë§Œì— ë‹¬ì•„ì˜¬ëžë‹¤
기사보기▶ https://t.co/lK3lY2brMn#ëŒ€í•œë¯¼êµ #êµê°€ëŒ€í‘œíŒ€ #6ì›” #A매치 #호주 pic.twitter.com/xAbvNjypFD— 대한축구협회(KFA) (@theKFA) June 7, 2019
CHINA PR 2-0 PHILIPPINES
Tianhe: China PR gave returning head coach Marcelo Lippi a winning start as they defeated Philippines 2-0 at the Tianhe Stadium.
Wu Xi gave China PR an early lead with his effort in the 14th minute as the East Asians begin their buildup for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifiers and 2023 AFC Asian Cup, which will be hosted by the country.
Philippines, who impressed in their AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 debut last January, attempted to find their way back into the match but China PR remained firmly in control.
Zhang Xizhe doubled their lead in the 54th minute on a night Nico Yennaris made history as the first foreign-born footballer to represent China PR with the former Arsenal reserve starting the match.
The 26-year-old midfielder was born in London and was an England youth international, but his mother is Chinese.
China PR will now turn their attention to a friendly against Tajikistan on Tuesday.
MERLION CUP
THAILAND 2-1 INDONESIA, SINGAPORE 3-0 PHILIPPINES
Singapore: Thailand will play hosts Singapore in the Merlion Cup final after contrasting wins in the semi-finals.
Thailand took a 2-0 lead before Indonesia attempted to fight back while Singapore cruised past Philippines 3-0.
In a run-up to hosting the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship next year, Thailand had a perfect start when Shinnaphat Leeaoh was brought down in the box in the fifth minute.
Saringkan Promsupa converted the penalty and midfielder Ekanit Panya then doubled their lead on 12 minutes.
Indonesia gave themselves hope when Witan Sulaeman found the back of the net but despite their best efforts, the equaliser wasn't forthcoming.
A strong performance from ?? in their opening #MC19 match against ?? puts them through to the final! pic.twitter.com/9yodqw29y9
— FAS (@FASingapore) June 7, 2019
Singapore dominated against the Philippines from the start with Amiruldin Asraf capitalising on a poor back pass to slot the ball home in the 26th minute.
The second goal, however, only came in the second half with Irfan Fandi heading home a free-kick in the 62nd and Ikhsan Fandi ensured a comfortable win with his effort in the 67th minute as Singapore set up a final showdown with Thailand on Sunday.
Photos: AFP, Football Association of Thailand
Source: the-afc.com