Son scores again as S Korea play Paraguay to draw in World Cup tune-up

Suwon (South Korea) (AFP) – Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min scored in his second straight match, while SC Freiburg midfielder Jeong Woo-yeong netted a last-gasp equaliser for South Korea’s hard-fought 2-2 draw with Paraguay in their latest pre-World Cup friendly on Friday.

Newcastle United’s Miguel Almiron netted a brace for Paraguay, as the visiting South Americans came within minutes of an upset.

South Korea have managed one win, one draw and one loss so far in their World Cup build-up, with Egypt coming up next on Tuesday in Seoul.

Almiron capitalised on a South Korean miscue to open the scoring on 23 minutes. Centre-back Jung Seung-hyun appeared to have secured a pass intended for Almiron, but as Jung bobbled the ball, the Paraguayan player cut in front of the helpless defender and rolled a left-footer past goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo.

South Korea almost levelled near the end of the first half, when Son set up Kim Jin-su’s header that struck the woodwork. Moments later, Na Sang-ho’s last-gasp shot hit the right side of the net.

Then Paraguay doubled down just five minutes into the second half, when Almiron scored as South Korean defenders struggled to establish position in their own zone.

Son cut South Korea’s deficit in half by firing a free kick into the top left corner on 66 minutes, his second goal in as many matches.

South Korea kept pushing for an equaliser, and it finally came during stoppage time, when Jeong slotted home a cross from Um Won-sang.