S. Korea fall to Saudi Arabia in football for 1st time in 21 yrs
AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korea fell to Saudi Arabia 3-2 in their men's football friendly match in Qatar on Friday, their first loss to the Middle Eastern foe in 21 years.
Saudi Arabia, world No. 55, struck first late in the first half before scoring twice in a three-minute span in the second half for the victory at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, just west of the Qatari capital of Doha. Oh Hyeon-gyu and Lee Jae-sung scored for 32nd-ranked South Korea, whose undefeated streak against Saudi Arabia was snapped at six.
Son Heung-min of South Korea (R) attempts a pass against Saudi Arabia during the teams' friendly football match at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Nov. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
South Korea's previous loss to Saudi Arabia had come on Aug. 17, 2005.
This was South Korea's fifth match under their temporary head coach Robert Moreno. The Taegeuk Warriors now have two wins, one draw and two losses on the Spanish tactician's watch.
South Korea will next play Qatar at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium in Doha at 5 p.m. Tuesday (11 p.m. Tuesday in South Korean time).
Oh Hyeon-gyu of South Korea celebrates after scoring a goal against Saudi Arabia during the teams' friendly football match at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Nov. 13, 2026. (Yonhap)
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