Positives For Korea Going Into Last #ARC2017 Match In Hong Kong | Hong Kong V Korea

Positives for South Korea going into last ARC match in Hong Kong

The following article on the squad announced by Korea RFU for the Final Game #ARC2017 Hong Kong V Korea has been kindly submitted by Owen McCaffrey, of Korea

South Korean coach John Walters has a number of positives to take into this weekend’s final round Asia Rugby Championship (ARC) game against Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC).

In particular the performance of his forward pack and loose forwards Yong Seung Lee (8) and Hyun Soo KIM (6) lifted the team at key moments in last weekend’s match.

Last weekend’s match

South Korea was caught napping early in the match by a fast-starting Hong Kong who helped themselves to three early tries and an 21-0 lead. But South Korea stormed back into the match at the 30minute mark to dominate the game until half time.

Strong carries and breakdown work by Hyun Soo Kim (6), Jeong Min Kim (7) and Yong Seung Lee (8) set up an attack on Hong Kong’s line which was well finished off with a try out wide to winger Gwong Min KIM (11).

South Korea remained camped on the Hong Kong line and although some deft grubbers and passes didn’t go to hand the pressure was kept on.

The second half saw South Korea continue to have most of the possession but struggle to make it through the staunch Hong Kong defensive line. With a quarter of the match to go, and 43-5 down, South Korea again sprung back into life through huge props Kwanyoung Na (1) and Kwang Sik Kim (3) who threw themselves at the Hong Kong defensive line, suddenly finding themselves on the other side of it.

They found support from ever-present flankers Yong Seung Lee (8) and Hyun Soo KIM (6) and further back-up runners Daehwan Kim (19) and Seong Tae Kim (17) who ran straight and hard. Finally South Korea was rewarded with two late tries to deserved flankers Yong Seung Lee (8) and Hyun Soo KIM (6) who dived from close range.

If South Korea can harness the energy and momentum it created at the back end of each half against Hong Kong week and find a way to deal with Hong Kong’s suffocating defense then they can produce a much improved showing this weekend.

Player Changes for this weekend’s match

John Walters has made four changes to the forward pack reflecting the strong performance of last week’s reserves.

Starts are given to Seong Tae Kim (1), Junhui Lim (2) and Woosung Sin (3) in a whole new front row with Daehwan Kim (4) coming in at lock. In the backline Yu Jae Hyuk (10) and Yong Heung Chang (14) return to the team at first-five and right wing respectively after playing well against Japan the first two rounds.

Halfback Sunghyun Kim (9) gets a chance to start after a lively performance off the bench last weekend and Gwong-min Kim (11) retains his place on the left wing after a strong performance last week.

Hong Kong V Korea

Match Date : Saturday, June 3rd 2017
Venue : Hong Kong Football Club , Hong Kong
KO: 16:00
Admisison is FREE
Fixtures Details

Watch it Live :
In Hong Kong and Asia : www.rugbypass.com 16:00(+8 gmt)
Rest of the World : Facebook Live : www.facebook.com/asia.rugby

SOUTH KOREAN SQUAD:

1 Seong Tae Ki
2 Junhui Lim
3 Woosung Sin
4 Daehwan Kim
5 Sangjin Kim
6 Hyun Soo Kim
7 Jeong Min Kim
8 Yong Seung Lee
9 Sunghyun Kim
10 Jae Hyeok Yu
11 Gwong Min Kim
12 Jeong Ho Mun
13 Sung Soo Kim
14 Yong Heung Chang
15 Jae Bok Lee

Reserves
16 Jeep Kim
17 Kwanyoung Na
18 Taehyeon Kang
19 Dahyeon Shin
20 Jihoon You
21 Sungjojng Hong
22 Nam Uk Kim
23 Yeon Sik Jeong

COACHES
Head Coach: John Walters
Assistant Coach: Dion Muir
Manager: Yu Jun Hyeok (Jun)