Provo: South Korea decisively defeated Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in the first of their two pre-World Cup friendly matches at their U.S. training camp. Captain Son Heung-min and striker Cho Gue-sung each scored twice in the match held at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, on the campus of Brigham Young University.
According to Yonhap News Agency, world No. 25 South Korea took control early in the match against the 102nd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago. Son Heung-min delivered a brace in the first half, putting his team ahead. Cho Gue-sung and Hwang Hee-chan added to the score in the second half, solidifying South Korea's dominant performance.
The Taegeuk Warriors are scheduled to face 100th-ranked El Salvador next at the same venue. The match will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday (local time), or 10 a.m. Thursday (South Korean time).
South Korea has been training in Utah since mid-May to acclimate to high-altitude conditions, as two of their three group stage matches in the World Cup are set to take place in Guadalajara, another elevated city. The team will commence their Group A play against Czechia on June 11 in Guadalajara.
In the match, South Korea predictably controlled possession early on, though goal-scoring opportunities were limited in the first 30 minutes. The breakthrough came when Son Heung-min scored in the 40th minute, followed by a penalty goal just two minutes later, marking his first multigoal match for the national team since June 2024.
Son's goals were his 55th and 56th international goals, bringing him closer to the all-time South Korean men's record held by Cha Bum-kun. Son nearly completed a hat trick in the 57th minute, hitting the post with a left-footed shot.
As the second half progressed, substitutions made a significant impact. Lee Dong-gyeong assisted Cho Gue-sung for a header goal, and Hwang Hee-chan converted a penalty after Eom Ji-sung was fouled in the box. Cho completed the scoring with his second goal, assisted by Seol Young-woo.
Despite the victory, South Korea encountered setbacks with two players suffering injuries. Defender Cho Yu-min left the field in the 51st minute due to an apparent injury and was later carried out of the stadium. Bae Jun-ho, fouled by Molik Khan who received a yellow card, also limped off after being treated by trainers.