Koo penalty earns Korea a draw with Serbia
Spoils were shared between Korea Republic and Serbia in Ulsan on Wednesday (AEDT), as Branislav Ivanovic notched a milestone for his national team.
FIFA International: Korea Republic 1-1 Serbia
Branislav Ivanovic made his 100th appearance for Serbia in a 1-1 friendly draw away to Korea Republic.
The Zenit St Petersburg player started and was withdrawn in the 68th minute of the match in Ulsan, where a Koo Ja-cheol spot-kick cancelled out Adem Ljajic's opener for the visitors.
Having missed out on a place at UEFA Euro 2016, Serbia responded emphatically by topping Group D of UEFA World Cup qualifying ahead of Republic of Ireland and defeated China 2-0 in its previous friendly outing on Saturday (AEDT).
Korea finished second in Group A of third-round AFC qualifying behind Iran to book passage to Russia 2018, Shin Tae-yong having secured qualification after replacing the sacked Uli Stielike in June.
Shin handed Daegu FC goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo a debut from kick-off, while at the other end, Eibar shot-stopper Marko Dmitrovic also made his first senior appearance as a half-time substitute, replacing the experienced Vladimir Stojkovic.
There was a second Serbia cap for promising young Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, but it was an established member of the squad who broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, Torino's Ljajic finding the top-right corner of Cho's net with a shot from the centre of the box.
The lead lasted just three minutes, though, before Koo equalised for Korea with a penalty.
The match may be best remembered for Ivanovic's milestone, as the captain prepares to lead the team to the FIFA World Cup finals next year.