Seung-Soo shines and Willock stretchered off - Newcastle 0-1 K-League XI

A tough watch at the Suwon World Cup Stadium as Newcastle kicked off the 2025 Coupang Play Series with a 1-0 defeat to a K-League XI.

Our first game in South Korea after a 3-2 defeat to Arsenal in Singapore last Sunday and while it may have been good for the fitness levels in humid conditions, it didn't inspire much confidence.

K-League sides are midway through their season, which was probably a big factor in terms of their fitness and match sharpness, although it was a sluggish Newcastle display, much like the club's activity off the pitch this summer.

We were second to too many loose balls, slow to react and lacking in quality. Again, it almost mirrored how we've operated in the transfer market of late, even if today was more about minutes in the tank more than anything else.

Only a pre-season friendly, yes, but it was 90 minutes to forget that didn't do much to lift the mood almost two weeks before the big kick-off away to Aston Villa, ending with Joe Willock down in agony and off on a stretcher.

One of few positives, however, was new arrival Seung-soo Park. The 18-year-old Korean did more to excite fans in two minutes than most did all game, showing quick feet, energy, urgency and some brilliant dribbling down the left.

Newcastle XI: Pope - Krafth, Lascelles (c), A. Murphy, Livramento - Miley, Tonali, Willock -  Elanga, Osula, Gordon. 

Subs: Vlachodimos*, Ruddy*, Gillespie*, Thompson, Trippier*, Hall*, Schar*, Joelinton*, Barnes*, Targett*, J. Murphy*, Ashby, Burn*, Bruno*, Harrison, Hernes, Munda*, Neave*, Seung-Soo Park.  (* = Unused)

Another start for Alex Murphy, this time at centre-back, with Tino Livramento back in the side, more game time for Lewis Miley and Will Osula and the return of Lewis Hall to to the bench.

Sven Botman's absence was expected but a worry, while new signing Seung-Soo Park was hoping to make his debut in his home country with a place on the bench.

We started well in the opening minutes, although some fast exchanges early on quickly faded as sloppy passing and sluggishness crept into our play.

Miley made a promising start, showing good strength and slick passing in possession, but the same couldn't be said for Joe Willock, who picked up an early knock. He ran it off, but the former Arsenal man just does not look robust or confident enough to cover Joelinton (who has missed 27 games over the past two campaigns) over a 50-60 game season, even if his late injury was unfortunate and another brutal blow for him.

A flat started saw Team K-League open the scoring on 37 minutes through Jin-gyu. A poor goal to concede as Jamaal Lascelles backed off and allowed the Korean to fire past Pope from close range.

Elanga's touch and delivery was very hit and miss, with Gordon also struggling to exploit the space given to him down the left. Both looked rusty and Osula was struggling to get into the game in a hugely forgettable first half.

Howe made no changes at the break and two chances quickly came our way. Gordon burst past two on the break and played it wide to Krafth, who crossed well for Osula. The Dane got up well and glanced wide, then was given another chance seconds later, seeing his low shot blocked by the K-League goalkeeper after bursting into the box.

Osula had his third opening on the hour mark, cutting in from the left and firing a well hit effort on goal. However, much like his second chance, it was hit too close to the goalkeeper despite some decent approach play.

To add to our woes, Krafth pulled up and was replaced with 20 minutes to go. Ashby came on at right-back after a decent cameo on Sunday, while giant young stopper Max Thompson came on for his debut. A nice moment in an otherwise tough watch, with dad Ray Thompson (Newcastle's kit-man) in the dugout to witness it.

Tonali then made way with 77 minutes on the clock, allowing Norwegian talent Travis Hernes to come on for his second outing of pre-season after featuring in the 4-0 defeat at Celtic two weekends ago.

In a move that summed up our lack of depth in Botman's absence, Miley had dropped in at centre-back to partner Lascelles, with Howe's reluctance to bring on Fabian Schar perhaps due to him limping slightly during Sunday's defeat to Arsenal.

New signing Seung-soo Park made an immediate impression. Superb dribbling, spark, energy and urgency, with the winger immediately beating three men before forcing a corner.

That positive was then overshadowed slightly by what looked like a bad foot injury for Willock. It was not pretty and he was carried off in agony. A gutting moment for him and a blow that may leave us needing two midfielders now, I would argue.

Few positives to take, sadly, with big improvements needed ahead of Sunday's clash with Spurs in our final game in Asia before a Sela Cup double next weekend.