Following Hwang Hee-chan, even Um Ji-sung was injured, and Bae Jun-ho was put in the 5th minute of the second half
Oct 11, 2024
|
The national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, is playing the third Group B match against Jordan in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan's capital, at 11 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time). If Korea wins on the day, it can emerge as No. 1 in the group.
South Korea started with a 4-2-3-1 formation. Joo Min-kyu (Ulsan) stood at the forefront, and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Lee Kang-in (PSG) set up the second line. Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) were in the third term, while Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) formed a four-back. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal.
The focus of attention was on who will fill the void of Son Heung-min (Tottenham) due to injury. Hong's choice was Hwang Hee-chan. Although he has been sluggish in his team recently, coach Hong believed in Hwang Hee-chan, who has shown outstanding performance in the national team.
But he collapsed from an unexpected injury. In the 10th minute of the first half, Hwang Hee-chan collapsed due to a rough tackle by Nasiv. I couldn't get up easily for a while complaining of pain. Hwang Hee-chan got up after robbing and stood at the forefront of the attack. In the 18th minute, he created an opportunity with a cutback following a great breakthrough.
But that was it. During the 20-minute ball contest with Haddad, he collapsed once again. I was shocked again by my left foot, which was painful earlier. A stretcher was put in, and Hwang Hee-chan was eventually replaced. In the absence of Son Heung-min, even the experienced Hwang Hee-chan escaped. Hong deployed Um Ji-sung (Swansea City), who is showing good performance at the British Championship.
Um Ji-sung played a key role in Lee Jae-sung's first goal in the 38th minute of the first half. Thumbseong broke through and made space. Lee Myung-jae quickly crossed, and the ball went back. The overlapping Seol Young-woo caught it, beat one defense, and attempted a cross with his left foot. Lee Jae-sung jumped in and finished with a header. South Korea took a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Um Ji-sung collapsed due to an unexpected injury. I came out on foot, but I was worried because it was an injury that came out without a collision. Coach Hong chose to change without delay. Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City) entered.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
