South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo, center, speaks with his players during a hydration break of a friendly football match against El Salvador at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, June 3. Yonhap
PROVO, United States — After South Korea escaped with a narrow win over an opponent they were supposed to dominate, head coach Hong Myung-bo said he chose to look on the brighter side.
South Korea beat El Salvador 1-0 in their final friendly before the FIFA World Cup at BYU South Field in Provo, Utah, on Wednesday. Lee Dong-gyeong's free kick marker in the 57th minute was the only goal for South Korea, who came in ranked 25th in the world, 75 spots ahead of El Salvador.
More offense was expected from the Taegeuk Warriors after they pounded 102nd-ranked Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday, but Hong said not all was lost from the one-goal victory.
"We had some difficulties offensively early in the match, but I think this match will be of huge help for us," Hong said at his postmatch press conference.
