Hong Myung-bo's South Korea bowed their heads after losing both friendlies ahead of the FIFA World Cup finals in North and Central America.
The South Korean men's national football team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, lost 0-1 to Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31 (local time), conceding a goal early in the second half.
Having suffered a 0-4 thrashing against Côte d'Ivoire in Milton Keynes, England, on March 28, the team's second consecutive defeat has raised alarm bells over preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Against Austria, South Korea fielded a full-strength attacking lineup including Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) — unlike the Côte d'Ivoire match — yet still exposed problems with finishing.
South Korea started brightly, with Son firing a shot after cutting in from the left side of the box within the first minute. However, the team gradually ceded midfield control to Austria and resorted to counterattacks.
In the 15th minute, Son received a pass from Lee Han-beom on a counterattack and drove toward the center of the box, but his shot failed to find the net.
In the 37th minute, Kim Jin-gyu's long-range free kick struck the leg of Marko Friedl and went wide in a frustrating near-miss.
South Korea's positive momentum was halted as they conceded right after the second half began. In the 48th minute, Xaver Schlager delivered a cutback from the right side, and Marcel Sabitzer finished with a first-time right-footed strike to open the scoring. It was Austria's second shot and first on target.
