South Korea secure slim win over El Salvador in final World Cup warm-up

Lee Dong-gyeong scored ten minutes into the second half at their training base in Utah to give South Korea their second consecutive friendly victory, following a 5-0 win against Trinidad and Tobago last week.

"We faced some difficulties offensively early in the match, but I believe this game will be enormously beneficial for us," said coach Hong Myung-bo.

"I think our players learned a great deal today by facing this kind of opposition."

South Korea will face the Czech Republic, South Africa and co-hosts Mexico in Group A, beginning their campaign against the Czechs in Guadalajara on 11 June.

Captain Son Heung-min began on the bench and came on five minutes after Lee had put South Korea ahead with a curling, left-footed free-kick.

The 33-year-old Son, who has faced increasing scrutiny over his patchy form after scoring only twice for his club Los Angeles FC this season, netted twice against Trinidad and Tobago.

That took his international tally to 56 goals in 144 appearances, just two short of Cha Bum-kun's South Korean record.

Defender Cho Wi-je made his debut as a second-half substitute.

Cho, who was playing in South Korea's second division until the beginning of this year, was called into the World Cup squad after Cho Yu-min was ruled out with an injury earlier this week.

"I think he performed well stepping in for an injured player," Hong said.

"He contributed significantly to the team."