By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (September 7^th 2023)

Stalemate

As always Wales’ fans were in fine voice. It was one of the few positives of a dire night that failed to deliver. With both sides needing a morale-boosting win, despite Rob Page’s wish that the match was not taking place – it was arranged by UEFA – neither team could manage to score in a pretty drab 0-0 draw.

Substitute Kiefer Moore, who is suspended for next week’s vital match against Latvia in Riga, came closest to breaking the deadlock when his header from Chris Mepham’s cross hit the post and the rebound went off Ramsay and out of danger. With goalmouth action at a premium, newly appointed Spurs skipper, Son Heung-min, went closest twice.

Strange

This was an odd fixture as friendlies go as neither would have chosen it. South Korea recently appointed former Germany and USA coach, Jürgen Klinsmann. He made it clear that next year’s Asian Cup and qualification for the World Cup in North America is his priority – that requires Asian opposition or at least opponents who play a similar style of football. How does Wales fit that need?

And Wales need to avoid any unpleasant surprise injuries and play European opponents. Given the precarious nature of qualification they need opponents who play a similar style to other teams in their Euro2024 group. Neither coach got much from the match, but Page at least saw Harry Wilson draw a parry from South Korean keeper Seungngyu Kim, after being put through by Nathan Broadhead.

Aaron Ramsey made an unexpected appearance from the bench and Wales emerged unscathed for the return match against Latvia.