Amman: Riding a wave of momentum, South Korea is set to face Palestine on Tuesday in a critical match of the Asian qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The game, which will occur at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan due to ongoing conflicts in Palestine, represents a chance for South Korea to extend their winning streak to five matches. Just two months ago, South Korea was held to a goalless draw by Palestine, marking the start of the third round of their World Cup qualification journey.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the situation has significantly improved for South Korea since then. The team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, has secured four consecutive victories, most recently defeating Kuwait 3-1 in their latest Group B match. This turnaround has eased the initial criticism Hong faced following his controversial hiring. The South Korean team currently leads Group B with 13 points and aims to solidify their position against Palestine, who are at the bottom of the group standings with two
draws and three losses.
Palestine, despite being the designated home team, will play at a neutral venue due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. South Korea’s recent success can be attributed to Hong’s strategic coaching and the introduction of young talent into the squad. The Korea Football Association’s investigation into Hong’s appointment found no wrongdoing, allowing him to focus on guiding the team toward World Cup qualification without distractions.
The return of captain Son Heung-min has been a significant boost for South Korea. Son celebrated his 50th international goal in the victory over Kuwait, matching former striker Hwang Sun-hong’s record for the second-most goals in South Korean history. With 130 caps, Son is closing in on the national record of 136, shared by Cha Bum-kun and Hong.
The upcoming match against Palestine marks South Korea’s final game of 2024. Son expressed his desire to end the year positively, reflecting on the team’s rocky start in this qualification round. The contributions of yo
ung players like striker Oh Se-hun and midfielder Bae Jun-ho have also been pivotal in the team’s recent performances, providing depth and vitality to the squad.
Hong remains focused on managing Son’s workload to ensure his long-term health, especially after Son’s recent injury recovery. With the promising form of players like Bae, who effectively stepped in during Son’s absence, South Korea’s offensive strength is expected to remain robust as they aim for a decisive win over Palestine.