Son Heung-comeback min’s failed to lift South Korea, and on Thursday, November 24, 2022 in Qatar, the Tigers of Asia drew 0-0 with Uruguay to open Group H play.
Diego Godin, the captain of Uruguay, and Federico Valverde, a midfielder for Real Madrid, came the closest to ending the score by hitting the crossbar in each half, but Hwang Ui-jo missed Korea’s greatest opportunity by missing a shot from 10 yards out with only the goalie to beat.
Son on one side while Uruguay’s formidable forwards Luis Suarez, Darwin Nunez, and Edinson Cavani were unable to find a clear opening, making it a game very limited chances.
At the Education City stadium in Doha, both teams appeared more focused on avoiding defeat than going for victory because they still had games against Ghana and the group favourites Portugal to play.
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As Korea got off to a quick start and Uruguay sat deep to absorb the pressure without giving anything away, the early stages of the game fell into a typical pattern.
The South Americans in particular kept Son, the Korean danger guy, at bay.
The first real scoring opportunities came from Uruguay thanks to two raking crossfield passes from center-back Jose Maria Gimenez, who found runners advancing at an angle.
While Nunez missed the second shot from only eight yards out with the goal at his mercy, Valverde clipped the initial attempt over the bar.
Just past the hour mark, Korea should have taken the lead after a deft passing play exposed the Uruguayan defence, but Hwang missed the goal from 10 yards out while unmarked.
Then, Godin came the closest to scoring when his header from Valverde’s outswinging corner struck the inside of the post.
Son, who was playing his first match following surgery to repair a broken bone around his eye sustained at the beginning of the month against Marseille in the Champions League, was plainly not entirely fit and unable to impact the game for either side.
The all-time leading scorer for Uruguay, Suarez, was a supporting player on the opposing side and was substituted by fellow veteran Cavani midway through the second period.
Korea appeared to be content with a point as the game wore on, but coach Paulo Bento substituted Lee Kang-in, a fan favourite, to give his team some life and cunning.
However, Uruguay continued to be the more threatening team, as Cavani set up Nunez, who missed wide.
As both teams had chances to win it in extra time, Korean hearts were in their mouths when Valverde slammed a long effort off the upright and Son missed wide at the opposite end.
