Al Rayyan:The South Korean men's national football team faced another setback as they lost 3-2 to Saudi Arabia in a friendly match held in Al Rayyan, Qatar. This match was part of their attempt to overcome recent internal controversies within the team.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the loss comes amid attempts by the team to move past reported tensions involving senior players. Before traveling to Qatar, three veteran players, Hwang In-beom, Hwang Hee-chan, and Kim Min-jae, had expressed dissatisfaction with team leadership, threatening retirement. However, a joint statement issued by the involved players assured that they had resolved their differences.

Despite the reconciliation efforts, South Korea's performance on the field was lacking. The team struggled with pressing and ball movement, allowing Saudi Arabia to dominate with quick transitions. Although Hwang Hee-chan provided an assist to Lee Jae-sung for a goal, South Korea's rigid 4-4-2 formation under interim coach Robert Moreno did not adapt well against the Saudi side.

The team's management situation remains uncertain, with Moreno's contract expiring on November 27. The Korea Football Association (KFA) had previously indicated that Moreno's future would be determined by the team's performances, especially with the AFC Asian Cup postponed to December 2027. The recent loss may influence the KFA's decision on whether to extend Moreno's tenure.