The Republic of Ireland lost their opening game of the United Arab Emirates Under-20 Tournament to Korea at the Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi today.
Brian Kerr's stars of the future lost 2-1 depsite controlling much of the match. Nottingham Forest's Liam Carney put Ireland in the 29th minute, however, Sung Kok's curled free-kick on the stroke of half-time levelled proceedings going into the break.
After the restart, Kerr's side continued to dominate with Bray's Eamon Zayed playing an influential role but were still unable to forge ahead.
Korea's Kim Dong Hun eventually scored the winner four minutes from time with a simple tap-in.
Ireland will now take on hosts UAE on Wednesday before tackling France on Friday.
Ireland team:
Wayne Henderson (Aston Villa); Stephen Brennan (Newcastle United), Stephen Kelly (Tottenham Hotspur), Stephen Paisley (Manchester City), Stephen Capper (Sunderland); Liam Kearney (Nottingham Forest), Darren Potter (Liverpool), Graham Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Captain, Michael Foley (Liverpool); Eamon Zayed (Bray Wanderers), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City).