Sports 22:11 September 24, 2026
SUWON, South Korea, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- South Korea blanked Ecuador 3-0 in their men's football friendly match at home Thursday, giving interim head coach Robert Moreno his first win in his debut with the Taegeuk Warriors.
Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min and Lee Dong-gyeong scored a goal apiece in the second half at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, just south of Seoul, in South Korea's first match since the end of the FIFA World Cup in June.
Son Heung-min of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Ecuador during their men's football friendly match at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
South Korea suffered a group-stage exit from the tournament then, costing head coach Hong Myung-bo his job. The Korea Football Association brought in Moreno on a temporary basis for six friendly matches scheduled during the September-November period, instead of rushing to hire a full-time boss. But Moreno will have a chance to stay on for the Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup in January, depending on South Korea's performance in his first six matches.
South Korea head coach Robert Moreno gives instruction to his players during a men's football friendly match against Ecuador at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
The Spanish tactician got off on the right foot, with captain Son netting his 57th career goal to move within one goal of the country's all-time leader, Cha Bum-kun.
South Korea will next face Uruguay at Seoul World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. Monday.
Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea celebrates after scoring against Ecuador during their men's football friendly match at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Sept. 24, 2026. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
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