South Korea head coach Hong Myung-bo says his side is determined to close out the year on a high when they face Ghana in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
The Taeguk Warriors, ranked 22nd in the world, host the Black Stars (72nd) in what will be the final match of the November international window for both teams.
Although both nations have already secured their spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Hong insists the fixture carries significant value as part of their long-term preparations.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Monday, Hong stressed the importance of ending the season with a convincing performance.
“Tomorrow is the final evaluation match of the year,” he said. “We set one or two key goals for the November friendlies, and I hope we achieve them perfectly.
"Winning is important. I want our players to finish the season with a strong performance and a victory.”
South Korea will, however, be without first-choice goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu and fullback Lee Myung-jae, both of whom picked up minor muscle injuries and missed training.
“While not major injuries, both players will likely be unable to play,” Hong confirmed. “The rest of the squad is in excellent condition.”
Korea last met Ghana during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the Black Stars edged a thrilling Group H encounter 3-2 despite a brace from Cho Gue-sung.
Their overall head-to-head record remains tight, with Ghana winning four and Korea winning three of their previous matches.
Hong believes his team is developing positively as they build toward next year’s global showpiece, even though he admits perfection is impossible.
“No team can be 100% complete,” he noted. “What matters is how well we utilize our capabilities.
"A team needs to win, play well, and execute its tactics, but a solid foundation is necessary for that. I believe all players now understand this foundation.”
The Korean coach revealed that his tactical shape for the Ghana match has already been decided, playing down public debates about whether he will opt for a back three or a back four.
“We want to add some variety to what we’ve done so far,” he explained. “The difference between a three-back and four-back isn’t huge in terms of player roles.
"What’s important is how players feel situations and cooperate on the pitch. Tomorrow’s match will help us assess these details more closely.”
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