`My role is to make the Korean national team strong.' Coach Hong Myung-bo follows natural luck'Jordan Son Heung-min + Lee Kang-in'Injured Out
Sep 27, 2024
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In the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup, the Jordanian national team's key resource duo, which is considered the most demanding among the teams in the same group, was injured.
Winger Moussa Altamari (Monfelier), Jordan's only European player with brilliant technique and sharp left-footed kick ability, was replaced in the 15th minute of the second half due to an ankle injury in the first Group B match against Kuwait last month.
Jordanian local media predicted that Altamari would be absent for about four to seven weeks. Altamari, who has yet to return from his team after suffering an injury against Kuwait, is also uncertain about his participation in a major match against South Korea in Amman, Jordan, on the 10th of next month. Jordan will play two consecutive games at home against South Korea on the 10th and Oman on the 15th.
Forward Yazan Al-Naimat (Al-Araibi) was also added to the injured list. Al-Naimat, who moved from Al-Ahli to Al-Arabi, the same Qatari club, in August, was confirmed to have suffered a rib fracture in the middle of this month. The club predicted that he would be absent for about six to eight weeks.
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Altamari and Al-Naimat played a major role in Jordan's miraculous runner-up finish at the Qatar Asian Cup in February. Al-Naimat scored in both the group stage and the semifinals against South Korea, and also scored an equalizer in the final against Qatar. He scored a total of four goals and tied for third in the scoring rankings.
In particular, the first goal in the semifinal against South Korea caused the replacement of former national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. South Korea lost 0-2 to Altamari by dedicating an additional goal to Altamari and suffered a setback. Al-Naimat was showing off his skills recently enough to score multiple goals in the second round of the third qualifying round against Palestine last month. Al-Naimat, who was selected for the Jordanian national team in 2021, has scored 14 goals in the A-match since 2023 and a total of 20 goals.
Altamari also scored three goals in the same tournament, leading the team to a sensation. Altamari is 'Ace' who scored 22 goals in 73 A matches. Altamari and Al-Naimat, who play similar roles and boast similar influences to Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) and Son Heung-min (Tottenham) within the Jordanian national team, are collaborating for a total of 42 A matches.
Coach Hong Myung-bo will hold a press conference on the 30th and announce the final list of games against Jordan and Iraq (15th) in October. South Korea drew 0-0 with the Palestinians last month and won 3-1 against Oman. It tied Jordan and Iraq with four points, but ranked second by multiple points and difference.
yoonjinman@sportschosun.com
