With their best center back playing through a leg injury, South Korea’s defense was thoroughly exposed against Ghana in their 3-2 loss Monday.

Mohammed Kudus scored twice and Mohammed Salisu had the other goal for Ghana at Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, west of Doha, handing South Korea their first defeat in Group H play at this year’s World Cup.

All three goals were set up with passes from the flanks. It was Jordan Ayew’s free kick from the left wing that Salisu headed in for the opener, and Kudus beat South Korean defenders to the ball to head home a cross, again by Ayew, later in the first half for a 2-0 lead.

Kudus’ second goal came after a broken play, after Inaki Williams fanned on a shot after Gideon Mensah crossed from the left wing. The misfire seemed to fool Korean defenders, and Kudus, left alone on the other side of the box, easily slotted the ball home to break a 2-2 tie.

For South Korea, center back Kim Min-jae played on Monday with his injured right calf taped. He’d picked up the muscle injury against Uruguay during their goalless draw last Thursday. Kim missed two straight days of training before getting into only light cardio workouts Sunday. He was a game time decision, though there was little doubt Kim, short of a more serious injury, would miss such an important contest at the World Cup. 메이저사이트

Led by Kim, the South Korean defense corps had effectively shut down some dangerous Uruguayan attackers. They came away feeling confident they could also contain Ghana, who had put up a good fight before losing to Portugal 3-2 last week.