16-year-old Bastian Assomo scores winner as Bayern Munich beat Jeju FC 2-1 in South Korea friendly

Match action

Bayern Munich began their Asia tour with a 2-1 victory over Jeju FC at the 2002 World Cup stadium in Seogwipo. Felipe Chávez put the German champions ahead in the 12th minute, finishing off an early spell of dominance. Jeju responded quickly: Matheus Aiás nutmegged Minjae Kim with a rainbow flick and set up Changmin Lee for the equaliser in the 16th minute. Bastian Assomo restored Bayern's lead four minutes before half-time, placing a shot from the edge of the box beyond the goalkeeper after a pass from João Palhinha. Despite a flurry of chances in the final half-hour, including a near-miss from Maycon Cardozo, the score remained 2-1.

Youngsters seize the spotlight

With Harry Kane, Michael Olise and Dayot Upamecano absent from the trip, and Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Nathaniel Brown and Aleksandar Pavlovic only introduced after the hour mark, academy graduates took centre stage. Chávez, 19, recently returned from a loan at 1. FC Köln, underlined his strong pre-season form with the opening goal. Assomo, 16, then produced a composed finish that drew praise from team-mate Tom Bischof.

“It's brutal for his age how he holds up the ball. Then he has a very good finish, he's a classic box player.”

Senegalese international Bara Ndiaye, 18, also started and impressed in midfield, while Palhinha, who Bayern are looking to sell, provided the assist for the winner.

Assomo's rapid rise

Assomo joined Bayern from Hertha BSC in summer 2025. Despite a spring injury, he scored 11 goals in 10 U17 matches and added one in the Regionalliga Bayern. He made his first senior appearance in a friendly against Wehen Wiesbaden a week and a half earlier, and had been in the matchday squad for a Bundesliga game at Mainz in late April. Head coach Vincent Kompany acknowledged his finishing instinct but stressed the need for development.

“What Basti Assomo did, the goal-scoring, we know that from him. He has many points in his game that he needs to improve.”

U17 (10 games)11

Regionalliga Bayern1

U17 (10 games)

11 goals

Regionalliga Bayern

1 goals

Data from the article text

Sweltering conditions and early Kim exit

The match was played in over 30°C heat and high humidity, with an estimated 20,000 spectators in a stadium that was not full. Temperatures elsewhere in South Korea had reached 42.5°C in Yangsan, a record, and Seoul was under the highest heat warning. Minjae Kim, captaining the side in place of the resting Manuel Neuer, was substituted after only 36 minutes. He had been embarrassed by Aiás for the equaliser but later drew applause with a well-timed sliding tackle.

Pre-season journey

Bayern are still in the early phase of their preparation. They lost 2-1 to third-division Wehen Wiesbaden with a largely reserve side, then beat amateur club Rottach-Egern 15-0. Jeju, already mid-season and sitting seventh after 21 K League games, provided a sterner test. The German side dominated possession and created several clear chances for a third goal after the senior internationals entered, but could not convert.

What's next

The squad flew to Hong Kong after the match. Kompany said the integration of World Cup returnees will be "almost scientifically planned," with playing time for youngsters gradually decreasing as senior players regain fitness. The Asia tour continues with another friendly before the Bundesliga season begins.