Stoke 1 (Junho 44) Wolves 1 (Hwang 76)
Hee Chan Hwang ensured Wolves’ pre-season trip to Stoke City ended all square at the bet365 Stadium, as the Old Gold stepped up their preparations for the new campaign.
The South Korean netted his first goal of the summer, converting the rebound after Potters stopper Viktor Johansson had parried his spot kick, ensuring the friendly matched ended 1-1 in Staffordshire.
Stoke had taken the lead late in the opening period through Bae Junho, in a half where Fer Lopez had come close for the Old Gold. However, Wolves finished the strongest and Hwang’s goal ensured a second successive 1-1 draw.
A first public friendly of the summer saw more than 3,000 Old Gold supporters head north up the M6 and they were given a first sighting of Lopez, who came close early on. The Spaniard started and finished a move, which also involved Ki-Jana Hoever and Matt Doherty, but his left footed effort from the edge of the box flew just wide of the top corner.
Dan Bentley, between the sticks with Jose Sa out with an eye injury, same a comfortable save from Divin Mubama’s header soon after. Toti, wearing the captain’s armband once more, headed a Lopez delivery wide soon after for the visitors.
One minute before the break the hosts took the lead with a goal which may have been scored from an offside position. Sorba Thomas’ corner fell to Million Manhoef whose goalbound shot was instinctively flicked in by Junho, who appeared to have strayed beyond the last defender, but with no VAR in place, the goal stood.
Half-time | Stoke 1-0 Wolves
The half-time break brought the return of Hugo Bueno, fresh from a successful loan at Feyenoord, and he slotted in on the left, while Sam Johnstone played the second period. Further changes following on the hour mark, with Rodrigo Gomes back on the pitch for the first time this summer.
The best piece of football Wolves produced led to the equaliser. Bueno and Sasa Kalajdzic combined and Joao Gomes played into the path of Hwang, who was pulled back for a penalty. The South Korean took responsibility himself, and although his initial effort was parried, the ball fell nicely for the attacker to tuck home the rebound.
The goal livened Wolves up and Goncalo Guedes fizzed an effort over the bar from the edge of the box, while a Hwang header, having stooped low to meet a corner, needed blocking before the line, but Wolves couldn’t find a late leveller as it ended all squad.
Full-time | Stoke 1-1 Wolves
Wolves | Bentley (Johnstone 45), Hoever (Lima 81), Doherty (R Gomes 60), Agbadou, Toti, Bellegarde (Guedes 60), Andre (H Bueno 45), J Gomes, Munetsi, Lopez (Hwang 60), Strand Larsen (Kalajdzic 60).
Unused subs | King, Chirewa, Mane, Lopes.
