Argentina draw 2-2 with South Korea in Olympics prep match

Argentina drew with the South Korean Olympic football squad 2-2 on Tuesday after losing a lead to a dramatic injury-time equaliser.

The match held in Yongin, south of Seoul, was one of two warm-up matches this week ahead of the Tokyo Olympics set to begin next week. 

It was played without spectators under tightened coronavirus restrictions as a recent surge in infections grips the greater Seoul area. 

The Albiceleste went ahead early when Alexis Mac Allister scored from just outside the box in the 12th minute to give his side a 1-0 lead.  

But South Korea caught up in the 35th minute with midfielder Lee Dong-gyeong's long-range strike hitting the back of the Argentine net.  

The visiting team took the lead again 10 minutes into the second half when Carlos Valenzuela made a curling shot into the far corner after receiving a cross.

The home team then generated a last-minute turnaround when winger Um Won-sang delivered an equaliser in the 92nd minute.

The 2-2 draw gave the players "confidence that they could play well against a strong team," head coach Kim Hak-bum said in a post-game interview. 

South Korea will play France on Friday in their last preparation match before heading to Japan, where they will start their quest for a second Olympic medal against New Zealand on July 22.

The South Korean team won bronze at London 2012.

Romania and Honduras are also in Group B, while Argentina will face Egypt, Spain and Australia in Group C.  

The top two teams from each of the four groups will advance to the quarter-finals.

– TIMES/AFP