Kim Minjae's dizzying back pass → SON's golden equalizer! South Korea struggles with Palestinian dense defense
Nov 19, 2024
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South Korea made a shocking mistake in the 12th minute of the first half and allowed the first goal. However, four minutes later, Son Heung-min exploded the equalizer.
South Korea's men's soccer A team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, closed the first half of the Palestinian match 1-1 in the sixth round of the Asian third qualifying round of the '2026 North-China World Cup' at Amman International Stadium in Jordan on the 19th (Korea time).
In the 12th minute of the first half, South Korea dedicated a chance to face the goalkeeper as Kim Min-jae's back pass passed over to the opposing team.
But Son Heung-min was crowned the savior. Son Heung-min scored an equalizer through an exquisite penetration in the 16th minute of the first half. Son Heung-min has scored 51 goals in total in A matches. Son Heung-min, who tied for second place with Hwang Sun-hong, rose to second place alone.
Hong Myung-bo will operate the best 11 against Kuwait as it is. Son Heung-min (Tottenham) is aiming for his 51st A-match goal.
Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia) led the attack on the front line. Son Heung-min and Lee Kang-in (PSG) spread their wings left and right.
Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) led the midfield, while Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) took over the waist.
Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan), Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) will play in the back four line. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal.
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In the 12th minute of the first half, a painful defensive error came out and allowed the first goal. Kim Min-jae's back pass to goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo was short. The Palestinians seized it and gave it a perfect chance.
In the 16th minute of the first half, South Korea broke down the Palestinian dense defense with a concise passwork. Son Heung-min saw the opposite post from the left side and hit the correct shot. The game went back to square one.
In the 24th minute of the first half, Lee Myung-jae's left foot targeted Oh Se-hoon. Oh Se-hoon jumped alone, finding the space well. Oh Se-hoon hit the cross well to his head, but it was a little high and went off the goal.
In the 30th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min directly connected the free kick with a sharp shot. It was blocked by the Palestinian goalkeeper.
Son Heung-min's individual breakthrough from the left in the 36th minute of the first half followed by Lee Kang-in's shot, but it was deflected off the defense.
Son Heung-min also drove the ball himself in the 43rd minute of the first half to create a left-footed shooting angle. He headed in front of the goalkeeper.
In the extra time of the first half, Palestine attempted a counterattack. Cho Hyun-woo calmly blocked it well, although there was a crisis of losing points in the mixed situation of the gate.
South Korea is in Group B with Jordan, Iraq, Oman, Kuwait and Palestine. A total of 10 games will be played in the home and away full league. Up to the second place in the group, they will go straight to the World Cup finals. The third and fourth places will also get a chance to play in the fourth qualifying round.
Until Game 5, South Korea is ranked first with four wins, one draw and 13 points. Jordan, ranked second, and Iraq, ranked third, have eight points. Adding three more points against Palestine will bring South Korea closer to the World Cup finals. As it happens, Palestine is the only team that has given Korea a draw in the Group B qualifying round.
Ahead of the game, head coach Hong Myung-bo said "It's the last game of the year. I will prepare well and play well with a strong mind, abandoning the idea of winning easily."
Korea is clearly superior in objective power. But I can't guarantee it in terms of mental armament.
Coach Hong Myung-bo said, `The mental preparedness of Palestinian players will be stronger than that of any team. The first game (0-0 draw) had a chaotic atmosphere. I expect you to play better than the first game"I hoped for victory.
dhhan@sportschosun.com
