Soccer

South Korea defeat soured further by Hong injury

Nearly 60,000 supporters in Seoul’s World Cup Stadium saw side beaten by Tunisia

Tunisian Khaled Korbi (left) fights for the ball with South Korea’s Lee Keunho (right) at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. Photograph: Jeon Heon-Kyun / EPA
Tunisian Khaled Korbi (left) fights for the ball with South Korea’s Lee Keunho (right) at Sangam World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. Photograph: Jeon Heon-Kyun / EPA
Wed May 28 2014 - 15:07

South Korea endured a nightmare World Cup send off on Wednesday with defender Hong Jeong-ho leaving the field on a stretcher as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Tunisia.

The 24-year-old Augsburg centre back, who missed the 2012 London Olympics because of a broken leg, was replaced in the 13th minute after picking up what appeared to be an ankle injury following a tackle from behind by forward Issam Jemaa.

Things went from bad to worse for the sloppy hosts as they allowed Zouheir Dhaouadi to burst through their defence and fire home the only goal a minute before halftime to stun the 57,112 supporters at the Seoul World Cup stadium.

Hong Myung-Bo's side are due to meet Belgium, Algeria and Russia in Group H in Brazil.