Coach Hong Myung-bo's smile"The most important game of the year, I'm happy to win"
Oct 15, 2024
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It was the smile of Korean A team coach Hong Myung-bo. Hong Myung-bo crossed the 5th buoy to North Korea, China and the U.S. South Korea beat Iraq 3-2 at 8 p.m. on the 15th with consecutive goals from Oh Se-hoon (Machida), Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk) and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) in the fourth Group B match of the 2026 North-China World Cup Asia qualifying round at Yongin Mir Stadium in Gyeonggi Province. Coach Hong, who had a 0-0 draw with Palestine in his debut match and the first match at home, succeeded in winning his first home victory since taking office with a victory. Hong Myung-bo, who won both consecutive games against Jordan and Iraq, considered the biggest watershed in the third qualifying round, paved the way for his 11th consecutive World Cup finals. South Korea led Group B with 10 points (3 wins and 1 draw).
South Korea was in Group B along with Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, and Kuwait. In the third qualifying round, 18 teams will be divided into three groups of six teams and play a full league home and away. A total of six teams, ranked first and second in each group, will win tickets to the World Cup finals. The third and fourth places will go to the fourth preliminary round.
Coach Hong put forward a member who is similar to the match against Jordan. Only two seats have changed. Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) and Oh Se-hoon joined the team anew. Oh Se-hoon was on the front line instead of Joo Min-kyu (Ulsan), and Bae Joon-ho, Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) were on the second line. Soccer fans' expectations of 'right Kang-in-left Jun-ho' and the so-called 'Gang-ho duo' worked together as starters for the first time. The third line and defense remain the same. Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) stood in the midfield. The four-bag was composed of Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munhan), Cho Yoo-min (Sharjah), and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda). Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal. Lee Seung-woo (Jeonbuk), Joo Min-kyu and Oh Hyun-kyu started from the bench. Again this time, Lee Han-beom (Mit Willan), Park Min-gyu (Sapporo), and Kwon Hyuk-kyu (St. Mirren) were excluded from the list again this time.
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South Korea allowed an equalizer just five minutes into the second half. Ali Jasim shook South Korea's defense with his brilliant footwork from the right outside the box. He then poked the ball at the replacement Azad Artwan. Artwan, who was a no-mark, sent a cross, and 'Jupo'Hussein shook the Korean net with a great overhead kick.
At an anxious moment, director Hong's mercenary skills shone. Moon Sun-min (Jeonbuk) and Oh Hyun-kyu, who were substituted, scored goals. In the 29th minute, Moon Sun-min broke through the left. When the cross was blocked by the defense, Lee Jae-sung jumped in and sent a ground ball cross to the center once again. Oh Hyun-kyu scored with a wonderful left-footed shot. Oh Hyun-kyu has scored two consecutive goals following the last match against Jordan, establishing himself as a solid Joker for the national team. The national team scored a decisive goal in the 37th minute. Lee Myung-jae completely broke down the left side and scored a fantastic cross. Lee Jae-sung jumped in and finished with a great header. Lee Jae-sung also scored two consecutive goals following the match against Jordan.
South Korea allowed one goal in extra time, but wrapped up a 3-2 victory. In a press conference after the game, Hong said "It was the most important game of the year. I'm glad I won. I want to congratulate the players who won today. It wasn't a long time, but it was good to show it for a short time. As a result, he ended up winning two games. "Since we have to go back to our team and do our part, we are happy to finish the two consecutive games in October with a victory."
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▶It was the most important game of the year. I'm glad I won. I want to congratulate the players who won today. It wasn't a long time, but it was good to show it for a short time. As a result, he ended up winning two games. The national team is happy to finish the two consecutive games in October with a victory because they have to go back to their teams and do their part.
-The mercenary skills worked well.
▶ Players who went out in the first half, especially Bae Joon-ho, said to be comfortable because it could be tense because it was his first start. Oh Se-hoon told me to relax. Oh Hyun-kyu prepared a little earlier in the timing, but he's getting along well. Overall, the starting players were good, but it was good to see the replacement players committing to the team. I think those points are the process of getting to know as they become established in the team.
-Kim Seung-gyu didn't come forward.
▶ Cho Hyun-woo has continued to play without much difficulty. Kim Seung-gyu recovered and played about two games in the league, but there was something of concern in terms of performance. Cho Hyun-woo didn't make a big mistake. It wasn't that Kim Seung-gyu's tactics didn't go wrong.
-The reason why possession did not lead to shooting.
▶I think there was less penetration today. If you look at the good and bad games, there was a big difference in penetration. I went with the flow when it wasn't good. When I tried to get out of the ball, I couldn't hit the back space well. It had a share, but it was not efficient.
-What's the evaluation of Jo Yu-min.
▶He played two games well. It was a matter of concentration rather than a matter of the overall defensive organization. The first goal was also a goal that did not require a big loss. You have to develop. Cho Yoo-min was very good at both games. I don't know which player will be in that position in November, but the players in that position should be good.
-There was no booing.
▶I don't know why.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
