'Can't Be Better': Hong Myung-bo-ho, Oh Se-hoon and Son Heung-min scored back-to-back goals with fantastic pressure + organizational power! South Korea leads 2-0

Nov 14, 2024

It couldn't have been better in the first half.

South Korea finished the first half of Group B match against Kuwait 2-0 in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup at Jabeur Al Ahmad International Stadium in Kuwait City at 11 p.m. on the 14th (Korea time). Oh Se-hoon (Matcha) and Son Heung-min (Tottenham) scored consecutive goals. He scored the first goal early through forward pressure, and he quickly scored an additional goal and spent a comfortable first half.

The match against Kuwait is the turning point of the third qualifying round. South Korea leads Group B with 10 points (3 wins and 1 draw). He got off to a somewhat shaky start with a draw in his first match against the Palestinians, but then won three straight.

In the third qualifying round, the first and second places in each group will win a ticket to the World Cup finals. If South Korea wins on the day, it will be closer to advancing to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time. "We need to win the match against Kuwait as it is the first of two consecutive away games in the Middle East," A national team coach Hong Myung-bo said on the 13th, a day before the showdown. Through this, I want to win until the next game and finish my November schedule. I'll prepare well and have a good game."

Attention was focused on whether Son Heung-min will be selected or not. Son Heung-min failed to join the A-match in October due to a hamstring injury. Son Heung-min has since repeatedly played and missed his team. Fortunately, he recently played in Aston Villa (4-1 wins), Galatasaray (2-3 losses), and Ipswich (1-2 losses). In particular, he played full time for the first time since his return against Ipswich.

Son Heung-min joined the national team on the 12th, but he is in a cautious situation. Tottenham manager Enze Postecoglou said "We want a healthy Son Heung-min. I hope Son Heung-min will maintain good physical condition and contribute to each team"We asked for adjustment of the playing time. Coach Hong also plans to protect Son Heung-min as much as possible through selection and concentration. He said in an interview, `I never mean to overdo it in my current condition. I'll judge Son Heung-min as an efficient way to use him," he stressed.

Hong's choice was a starter. The most important game, the most important card, was put forward for the first time. As he had already played the league game, he decided that there was no problem with starting.

Hong pulled out a 4-2-3-1 card. Compared to the last Iraq match, only the left wing and one spot have changed. Son Heung-min was put in place of Bae Joon-ho (Stoke City). Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) will play as left and right wings. Lee Kang-in is also showing a remarkable performance at Paris Saint-Germain. In the last match against Angé, he played with the right wing and scored his first multi-goal since entering Paris Saint-Germain.

Oh Se-hoon was on the front line. Oh Se-hoon scored his A-match debut goal against Iraq. The central attacking midfielder was always up to Lee Jae-sung (Mainz). Lee Jae-sung scored two consecutive goals in the A-match in October, filling the void of his best friend Son Heung-min, who was born in 1992.

Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) were in the third line. After entering Eredivisie, the Netherlands, Hwang In-beom has been playing his best without the aftermath of the transfer, belonging to the team of the month in September. Park Yong-woo is also showing good performance, including a goal taste in the Asian Champions League.

Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) made the four backs. Kim Min-jae ranked first in the best centerback of the 2024-2025 season announced by the International Sports Research Center (CIES) on the 12th. Kim Min-jae received the highest performance score of 91.1 points, surpassing Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool) and Hoobeng Diaz (Man City), who are considered the world's top center backs. This is the only one in the 90s on the list.

The partner was Cho Yoo-min, who worked together since the A match in October. Lee Myung-jae and Seol Young-woo were on the left and right. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal. Cho Hyun-woo's shoulders became heavier as Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab) fell from the national team due to a knee injury.

Bae Joon-ho (Ulsan), Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk), Jung Woo-young (Unyon Berlin), Lee Hyun-joo (Hanover), Hong Hyun-seok (Mines) and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) will start on the bench.

There was a cautious atmosphere in the beginning. Kuwait shot first. Sami attempted a right footed shot from the right side of the box in a mixed situation in the fifth minute of the first half. It went over the goalpost.

After this shot, it was a one-sided trend for South Korea. The first goal was scored in the early hours. Hwang In-beom crossed from the right side of the 9th minute. Oh Se-hoon jumped high and made a fantastic header. It was a wonderful goal that the Kuwaiti goalkeeper was stuck in. Oh Se-hoon scored two consecutive A-match goals.

In the 12th minute, Oh Se-hoon shook Kuwait's net again with an exquisite right foot shot. However, it was recognized as a foul in the previous scuffle scene. In the following situation, Oh Se-hoon made another effective shot. Lee Myung-jae's cross was connected with a header. That was weak.

16 minutes of extra goal opportunity was created. Lee Jae-sung stabbed Son Heung-min, who was penetrating into the center after passing the return pass with Oh Se-hoon. In the process of Son Heung-min holding the ball and entering, he tripped over Kuwait's defense. The referee declared a penalty. Son Heung-min stepped up as a kicker. Deceiving the goalkeeper, he calmly succeeded on the other side. 50th goal of the A-match. Son Heung-min was on par with Hwang Sun-hong (50 goals) as a legendary striker. He tied for second place with the most goals in the A-match history of Korean men's soccer.

South Korea bothered Kuwait's defense with strong pressure. He continued to create chances by taking the ball away from a high position. After the 26th minute interception, Son Heung-min attempted a powerful shot in front of the arc. Slightly over the crossbar.

Kuwait fought back. 34 min Alasedi attempted a mid-range shot. He missed the right side of the post. 39 min South Korea missed the opportunity to score an extra goal. Lee Kang-in handed it over to Son Heung-min on the left. Son Heung-min stabbed Hwang In-beom, who was overlapping. Hwang In-beom scored a neat cross, and Lee Jae-sung scored a header. Unfortunately, he came out after being hit by the crossbar.

South Korea's offensive continued. In the 42nd minute, Lee Kang-in attempted a free kick in a good position. I crossed the crossbar. South Korea has dominated Kuwait all the time. Three minutes of extra time was given. No more goals were scored, and the first half ended 2-0. Although Kuwait is a weak team, it was a near perfect first half considering that it was a tricky Middle East away.

vanbasten@sportschosun.com