The South Korea and Ecuador national teams will play a friendly at Suwon World Cup Stadium on September 24.
This match is drawing attention because it is the first game for both teams under new head coaches following the World Cup.
Rather than predictions about the result, the key point is what first lineups coaches Roberto Moreno and Marcelo Gallardo choose.
3-line summary
1. South Korea–Ecuador is the new coaches’ first match
2. The game will be held in Suwon on the 24th
3. Confirmed squads and predicted lineups should be distinguished
Coach Moreno takes charge of the South Korean team for the first time
Spanish-born Roberto Moreno will take charge for the first time in this friendly as the new coach of the South Korean national team. Terra and ND Mais reported that Hong Myung-bo stepped down after South Korea were eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, and that Moreno was appointed as the head coach to prepare for the 2030 World Cup cycle.
Moreno worked as a coach in Barcelona and served as Spain’s caretaker manager from March to November 2019 because of Luis Enrique’s personal circumstances. For South Korea, this is more than simply one friendly: it is an opportunity for the new coach to assess the national-team players in a match for the first time.
The predicted South Korean lineup introduced by the two outlets included Kim Seung-gyu, Kim Min-jae, Hwang In-beom, Lee Kang-in, Hwang Hee-chan, Son Heung-min, and Oh Hyeon-gyu. However, these were predictions or lineups presented at the time of reporting and may differ from the players who actually appear. In particular, the plan to place Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu up front will show how Coach Moreno operates the attacking combination in his first match.
Gallardo’s Ecuador faces the task of reshaping its attack
For Ecuador, this is also Coach Marcelo Gallardo’s first match with the national team. Argentine coach Gallardo took charge of Ecuador’s national team, known as “La Tri,” succeeding Sebastián Beccacece. Having spent many years at River Plate, this will be his first experience as a national-team manager.
ND Mais reported that Ecuador scored two goals in four World Cup matches and that Enner Valencia retired from the national team after the tournament. This is why the new coach is looking for attacking alternatives from his first match. Jordi Caicedo was mentioned as a candidate for the center-forward position, but Piero Hincapié, Joel Ordóñez, Moisés Caicedo, Gonzalo Plata, and Kevin Rodríguez were said to be unavailable for this match because of injuries.
Terra described the match between the two teams as an international friendly at Suwon World Cup Stadium and reported that Argentine referee Facundo Tello would serve as the referee. Since this is the first competitive match for both sides after a coaching change, the game will be a stage for determining who can continue their roles under the new system, rather than simply showcasing the reputations of the established starters.
Ecuador has prepared a special uniform for its Asian tour
The Ecuador national team is also scheduled to unveil a special uniform made by Marathon Sports for this match. According to Mantos do Futebol, it uses a white-toned base instead of the traditional yellow, with Ecuador’s symbol, the Andean condor, and the tiger associated with Korean culture placed facing each other on the lower front.
A dark teal V-neck and sleeve ends, along with red detailing, are also features of the uniform. The design was introduced as part of Ecuador’s limited collection for its Asian friendlies. The outlet reported that Ecuador plans to use another special uniform for its next match on the same tour, against Japan on October 1, featuring the Andean condor and the tsuru, Japan’s traditional bird.
This match against South Korea is the new coaches’ debut and will also reveal how Ecuador connects its Asian tour with the national team’s new beginning.
References
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