Provo: South Korea may not have been tested much in their 5-0 drubbing of Trinidad and Tobago in a World Cup tuneup match Saturday in Utah, but head coach Hong Myung-bo claimed he was happy with both the process and the result.

According to Yonhap News Agency, forwards Son Heung-min and Cho Gue-sung each had a brace, and Hwang Hee-chan scored once for the Taegeuk Warriors at BYU South Field in Provo on Saturday (local time). This was the first of two friendlies for South Korea prior to the World Cup, with El Salvador coming up on Wednesday at the same venue.

Against No. 25 South Korea, 102nd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago barely put up a fight. Still, Hong said he had plenty of positive takeaways. "I think we were able to make this a meaningful opportunity for ourselves," Hong said. "Overall, I think we had a great process and also a great outcome."

Specifically, Hong was buoyed by Son's brace and by the return of key midfielder Hwang In-beom, who had been out since March with an ankle injury. Defender Lee Gi-hyuk played in just his second international match and acquitted himself well on the left side, Hong said.

The coach explained that he tried to accentuate the strengths of both Lee and wingback Jens Castrop on the left. "We wanted Lee Gi-hyuk to make some sharp passes from that side of the field and I think he played a good match overall," Hong said. "He still has to work on a few things but if he can address those, I think he will develop into a tremendous player."

Hong, a former defender himself, said Lee tends to jump too much into attack, which can create a sense of anxiety on the back end. "He did much less of that than he has done in league play," Hong said of the Gangwon FC defender. "I hope he can minimize his flaws and further strengthens other elements that make him such a good player."

Son arrived in Utah without a goal in the ongoing Major League Soccer season for Los Angeles Football Club, and Hong said finding the back of the net twice must have been a relief for his captain. "It doesn't matter if goals come against a weak team. If you are in a drought and then score a couple of goals, it does wonders for your confidence," Hong said. "His goals were very welcome for our team."

Hwang, considered an indispensable part of the team thanks to his two-way effectiveness, played his typically steady match after subbing in for Lee Han-beom in the 62nd minute. "His dominance in the midfield was unmatched," Hong said. "He has kept himself in great form. We will continue to increase his workload going forward."