Provo: South Korea hammered Trinidad and Tobago 5-0 in the first of their two pre-World Cup friendly matches at BYU South Field. Captain Son Heung-min started at forward and netted twice in the first half, while his second-half replacement, Cho Gue-sung, also recorded a brace. Hwang Hee-chan, another second-half substitute, converted a penalty to seal the victory.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Trinidad and Tobago, ranked 102nd in the world, crowded their own zone early, causing some initial difficulty for 25th-ranked South Korea. Paik Seung-ho nearly broke the deadlock with a header in the 31st minute, denied only by goalkeeper Jabari Brice. This near-goal sparked South Korea's attack, with Son scoring in the 40th minute and converting a penalty three minutes later to double the lead.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo employed a back-three system, with Lee Gi-hyuk, Cho Yu-min, and Lee Han-beom as defenders. Jens Castrop and Kim Moon-hwan, starting as wingbacks, contributed both defensively and offensively, with Kim assisting Son's first goal. Lee, a surprise World Cup squad pick, showcased confidence and aggression in only his second international match, providing additional passing options and opening space for teammates.

Cho Gue-sung's performance marked his first multigoal game for South Korea since the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Ghana. Recovering from knee surgery complications, Cho aims to secure a starting striker position. Expressing satisfaction with the win, Cho stated the importance of maintaining momentum in the upcoming match against El Salvador.

South Korea will face 100th-ranked El Salvador on Wednesday, again at BYU South Field. Despite the resounding victory, South Korea's defense remained largely untested against Trinidad and Tobago, raising questions about their readiness for tougher competition in the World Cup. The team will begin their World Cup campaign on June 11 against Czechia in Guadalajara, Mexico.