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Korea fall to Austria in pre-World Cup friendly

Published: 01 Apr. 2026, 09:51 Updated: 01 Apr. 2026, 12:41

Lee Tae-seok, right, tries to run past Christoph Baumgartner of Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. [YONHAP]

Son Heung-min, center, is defended by Marco Friedl, left, and Konrad Laimer of Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31. [YONHAP]

Korea lost to Austria 1-0 in their pre-World Cup friendly match in Vienna on Tuesday, as the Taegeuk Warriors wrapped up their two-match European trip without a goal.

Marcel Sabitzer's 48th-minute goal for 24th-ranked Austria was the difference in the friendly match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in the Austrian capital.

Korea, ranked 22nd, had earlier lost to the Ivory Coast 4-0 outside London last Friday.

Korea had 11 shot attempts to Austria's five.

Korea had eight new faces in the starting lineup compared to the one that lost to the Ivory Coast.

Kim Seung-gyu got the start in goal in place of Jo Hyeon-woo. On defense, only Kim Min-jae made his second straight start, as the center back was flanked by Lee Han-beom and Kim Ju-sung.

Seol Young-woo shifted from left wingback to right wingback, with Lee Tae-seok getting the start on the left side this time.

Kim Jin-gyu had a new partner in midfield as Paik Seung-ho replaced Park Jin-seob from the previous match.

The new-look offense featured captain Son Heung-min up front and wingers Lee Kang-in and Lee Jae-sung. In the Ivory Coast match, Son and Lee Kang-in were brought in off the bench in the second half, while Lee Jae-sung did not play.

Son Heung-min, center, is defended by Marco Friedl, left, and Konrad Laimer of Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31, 2026. [YONHAP]

Korea tried to create some early momentum with aggressive pressing. On a counterbreak in the 16th minute, Son sent his left-footed shot from the left side of the box high and wide.

Austria started pushing back from midway through the first half and enjoyed a substantial advantage in ball possession in the opening 45 minutes, while Korea had the 6-1 edge in shot attempts.

Austria then grabbed the lead just three minutes into the second half.

When an attempted Austrian pass missed the target and rolled into open space on the right side of the box, Xaver Schlager was the first to get to the loose ball. He quickly found Sabitzer standing near the penalty spot, and the winger's volley bounced past diving Kim Seung-gyu for the 1-0 Austrian lead.

With Korea's defense gradually getting looser, Austria kept generating chances in the attacking third.

Lee Kang-in, center, tries to dribble past Phillipp Mwene, left, and Xaver Schlager of Austria during the teams' friendly football match at Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna on March 31. [YONHAP]

For Korea, Son had a couple of close calls.

In the 62nd minute, Son received a cross from Seol Young-woo and took a left-footed shot as he fell to the pitch, only to see the ball sail just wide to the right of the target.

About a dozen minutes later, Lee Kang-in's long pass sent Son on a fast break, but goalkeeper Patrick Pentz dove to his right to deny the Korean captain on a low shot. Son was eventually ruled offside.

Oh Hyeon-gyu, who replaced Son in the 82nd minute, fired a left-footed shot on a counterbreak chance two minutes after entering the match. Pentz got a piece of the ball and then pounced on the loose ball behind him before it could trickle over the goal line.

Although his display on Tuesday drew criticism, Son said he does not believe his form has declined.

“I don’t believe my performance has declined,” he said. “When it is time for me to step away from the national team, I will make that decision myself. If I am no longer capable of performing at a high standard, then I should not be part of the squad. For now, I need to go back to my club and work on playing better.”

Son added that he understands why supporters are frustrated by his recent scoring drought, given the standard he has set over the years.

“It is frustrating to hear people talk [...] whenever I go through a spell without goals,” Son said. “I understand the expectations are high because I have scored so consistently for so long. I am always giving my all, and I feel physically fine.”

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG, YONHAP [[email protected]]