First international goals from Daejeon Hana Citizen's Anton Kryvotsyuk and Gwangju FC's Jasir Asani are the pick of the June 2023 edition of the K League Internationals series. South Korea's full and U24 teams were also in action this week, as too Hungary and Indonesia with K League Internationals on duty.
Azerbaijan 1-1 Estonia, UEFA Euro Qualifiers
Daejeon Hana Citizen defender Anton Kryvotsyuk headed home his first goal for Azerbaijan on Saturday to help earn his country its first points of this UEFA Euro Qualifier campaign. Donning the number five shirt, Kryvotsyuk found himself unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box, steadied himself before heading into the roof of the net. The 24-year-old had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes when he headed home Emin Mahmudov's corner from the right and restore parity. The goal came in what was Kryvotskyuk's 30th cap and means Azerbaijan are officially off the mark. With no further fixtures until September, Anton will return to South Korea ahead of Daejeon's away trip to Jeju United on June 24th.
Albania 2-0 Moldova, UEFA Euro Qualifiers
A rocket from Gwangju FC winger Jasir Asani on Saturday helped Albania on to a 2-0 win over Moldova. The 28-year-old broke the deadlock with 51 minutes on the clock after latching onto a loose ball on the right flank, took a touch with his right foot to head infield before letting loose with his left to find the top corner. The goal, his first for Albania, came during only his second cap and helped the Eagles on to a first UEFA Euro Qualification win of the campaign. They now sit third but level on points with Poland heading into Wednesday's away fixture with the Faroe Islands.
Montenegro 0-0 Hungary, UEFA Euro Qualifiers
Martin Ádám started as the lone striker in Hungary's 0-0 draw away to Montenegro. The powerful centre forward played 59 minutes before being replaced by Barnabás Varga. The 28-year-old is no won 13 caps for Hungary with a record of two goals and two assists. Hungary remain unbeaten so far in Group G and sit second in the group on four points, two behind leaders Serbia. Up next is Lithuania at home on Wednesday at 3:45 AM KST.
South Korea 0-1 Peru, International Friendly
Jürgen Klinsmann is still looking for his first win as manager of South Korea following a 1-0 loss to Peru on Friday in Busan. Four K League players started the match, namely debutant Ahn Hyun-beom (Jeju United), Jung Seung-hyun (Ulsan Hyundai), Lee Ki-je (Suwon Bluewings), and Won Du-jae (Gimcheon Sangmu). A further four came off the bench including Cho Gue-sung (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) who came on for Oh Hyeon-gyu, Hwang Ui-jo (FC Seoul) who replaced Hwang Hee-chan, and Na Sang-ho (FC Seoul) who was given a five-minute cameo in place of Ahn Hyun-beom. Up next for South Korea is El Salvador at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.
China U24 1-3 South Korea U24, International Friendly
A very K League-heavy South Korea U24 team earned a 3-1 win over China on Thursday, helped by a brace from Ulsan Hyundai star Um Won-sang who found the back of the net in the 51st and 53rd minutes. Jeju United's Kim Bong-soo was credited with the assist for the first and third goals of the night, teeing up Jeong Woo-yeong to make it 3-0 on the hour mark. In total, 10 K League players started the match, namely: Lee Gwang-yeon (Gangwon), Lee Tae-seok and Lee Han-beom (FC Seoul), Lee Jae-ik (Seoul E-Land), Hwang Jae-won (Daegu FC), Yang Hyun-jun (Gwangwon), Kim Bong-soo (Jeju), Goh Young-jun (Pohang), Song Min-kyu (Jeonbuk), and Cheon Seong-hoon (Incheon).
Seven more K Leaguers came off the bench in the second half: Go Jae-hyeon (Daegu FC), Jeong Ho-yeon (Gwangju FC), Cho Young-wook (Gimcheon), Um Won-sang (Ulsan), Choi Jun (Busan), Cho Hyun-taek (Ulsan), and Byeon Jun-soo (Daejeon). Led by K League title-winning manager Hwang Sun-hong, South Korea's U24 side are preparing for the forthcoming Asian Games and have another clash with China coming up on Monday at 8:35 PM KST.
Indonesia 0-0 Palestine, International Friendly
Jeonnam Dragons wingback Aswani Mangkualam played the full 90 minutes on the right-hand side of a back four as Indonesia earned a 0-0 friendly draw at home to Palestine last Wednesday. Up next for Asnawi and Indonesia is the world champions Argentina on Monday at 9:30 PM KST.
