South Korea Faces Heavy Defeat Against Uruguay
In a recent friendly match, South Korea suffered a disappointing 1-4 loss to Uruguay. Despite a late goal

South Korea is set to take on Venezuela in an international friendly match on October 2, 2026, at 18:00, taking place at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium. Following a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Uruguay, South Korea is determined to bounce back and showcase their strength against Venezuela, who are currently struggling in their performances.
In their recent match, South Korea started strong, defeating Ecuador 3-0 under the new management of coach Roberto Moreno. Goals from Oh Hyeon-gyu, Son Heung-min, and Lee Dong-gyeong in the second half highlighted their attacking prowess. However, the heavy loss to Uruguay exposed vulnerabilities in their defense, particularly with Darwin Nunez scoring twice and Giorgian De Arrascaeta also finding the net. Son Heung-min managed to score a consolation goal, but the match revealed that South Korea needs to tighten their defense to regain their previous form.
Venezuela, on the other hand, has not fared well in their recent outings either. They led Japan 1-0 in their last match, only to succumb to a 2-1 defeat, with Ayase Ueda scoring twice for Japan, including a penalty in stoppage time. This loss reflects Venezuela's current struggles, especially as they failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, finishing eighth in the South American qualifiers.
Historically, South Korea has the upper hand, having won their only previous encounter against Venezuela 3-1 in a friendly match back in 2014. With South Korea's recent form and home advantage, they are favored to win this match. The team's attacking lineup, featuring stars like Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in, is expected to pose significant challenges for Venezuela's defense.
In terms of squad news, South Korea will be without defender Cho Yu-min due to injury, while Venezuela will miss Wuilker Faríñez, Keiber Lamadrid, and Daniel Saggiomo for similar reasons. The anticipated lineups suggest that South Korea will employ a 4-4-2 formation, while Venezuela is likely to adopt a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Given the recent performances of both teams, South Korea is expected to secure a victory, potentially with a scoreline of 3-2 against Venezuela, provided they can capitalize on their attacking opportunities while addressing their defensive frailties.