William Osula has been handed the chance to stand in for Alexander Isak but he is now on a pre-season goal drought

14:32, 30 Jul 2025Updated 15:44, 30 Jul 2025

Newcastle United’s William Osula (L) gets to grips with Team K-League’s Anton Kryvotsiuk

Newcastle United looked hot and bothered on an energy-sapping night in Seoul.

It was summed up as William Osula had to be hauled away from Anton Kryvotsyuk as frustrations boiled over before the Dane was taken off for local lad Seung-soo Park

Osula went off after an unconvincing display, leading the line with Alexander Isak still absent and Newcastle short of firepower. It was a bit of a nightmare from the get go in truth for United.

Park’s exciting cameo was probably the highlight of the night for Newcastle with the teenager sending fans wild with some wicked wizardry out wide. If that was a sign of things to come maybe Eddie Howe should keep him with the senior squad rather than a loan.

But it was just one of those nights for Newcastle and not much else went right. The Magpies team bus was stuck in the excruciating traffic for two hours on their way from the team hotel despite having a police escort.

They arrived with just an hour to spare before the kick off. Newcastle were still warming up just 10 minutes before the game started with the referee having to call the players back in in order to keep things running to schedule. However, dozens of supporters missed the kick off due to the traffic nightmare outside and the chances of getting a taxi very difficult with hundreds queuing at Suwon Station.

The first chance of the game fell for Anthony Gordon but after Lewis Miley’s cross he fired it wide of the post in the third minute. The K-League XI responded with a chance from Lee Dong-gyeong but he steered wide of the upright in a real let off for Newcastle.

United’s next glimpse of goal came on 19 minutes when Joe Willock struck a shot which took a slight deflection and required Jo Hyeon-woo’s full attention.

On the half-hour mark, Newcastle created another opening as Anthony Elanga’s half-volley went just over. Pope came to Newcastle’s rescue with a decent stop low down to deny Kim Jin-gyu.

However, on 37 minutes, it was the K-League who grabbed the lead as Kim Jin-gyu was slipped into the box before he took a touch and slotted past Pope. A slight turn from Kim Jin-gyu left Jamaal Lascelles standing before he applied the finish.

Miley clipped a ball through the middle for William Osula five minutes before the break but he could only force a corner. Elanga warmed the gloves of the keeper again with a shot outside the box as Newcastle looked for an equaliser.

However, Newcastle went in at the break trailing after a frustrating opening 45 minutes amid sweltering 32 degree heat. Howe stuck with the same XI after the break and the Magpies created a couple of chances for Osula at the start of the second half.

First Emil Krafth curled in a right wing cross but Osula headed wide before Anthony Elanga slipped in the Danish striker before sub keeper Kim Kyung-min made a good block. Osula latched on to a ball out wide on 58 minutes but struck it straight at the keeper after a left wing attack.

Opportunity knocked for Osula again on 62 minutes when his header at the near post was blocked by a defender.

Osula’s misery was ended when being replaced by Seung-soo Park. But the night ended with a fresh injury concern as Joe Willock left the pitch on a stretcher after a rough challenge.

Willock came out second best after a 50-50 and sparked concerns from the bench with another injury the last thing United need.

Referee: Kim Woo Sung