Hong Myung-bo's Korea left with a lot to prove against Oman

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Hong Myung-bo's Korea left with a lot to prove against Oman

Published: 09 Sep. 2024, 14:06 Updated: 09 Sep. 2024, 17:21

PAIK JI-HWAN
paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr

Korean national team manager Hong Myung-bo, center, watches a 2026 World Cup qualifer between Korea and Palestine at Seoul World Cup Stadium in western Seoul on Thursday. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Korea face Oman on the road Tuesday in the third round of 2026 World Cup qualifiers on the back of a concerningly poor performance in new manager Hong Myung-bo’s debut last week.

Tuesday’s match at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Oman is potentially an even bigger test than last Thursday's goalless draw against Palestine at home. One disappointing performance — Korea rank at No. 23 to Palestine's No. 96 — could be due to any number of reasons. Two suggests there are far deeper issues.

The disappointing draw came despite more chances created by Korea. The Taeguk Warriors attempted 12 shots and five on target with 77 percent ball possession, but failed to make any of them count.

Forward Joo Min-kyu made a few touches in the penalty area but failed to pull off anything serious, while Son Heung-min was largely shut down on the left wing and blew some critical opportunities, running the ball straight into the keeper or missing an open chance by hammering it into the post.

Son Heung-min trains with the Korean national team at Al Seeb Stadium in Oman on Sunday. [YONHAP]

It wasn’t solely Joo or Son at blame, as other players struggled to make effective moments during build-ups. Even Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, who had been the core part of the Korea defense, had some sloppy moments on his own during Thursday’s fixture.

Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom still played with some cohesion, but two players does not make a team.

Wolves forward Hwang Hee-chan — one of two Premier League players in the Korean team, yet somehow still benched by Hong — was substituted on in the second half but was also unable to break through Palestine’s dense defense.

Hong still has many options for his starting XI, as players like Lee, Hwang and Son have played and can play in different positions.

Lee, who played as a right winger on Thursday, can execute the No. 10 role where he could bring more fluidity to the team’s build-ups.

Lee Kang-in trains with the Korean national team at Al Seeb Stadium in Oman on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Son and Hwang can also both play as No. 9 in lieu of Joo, who looked out of his depth on the international stage. The two have more speed than the Ulsan HD striker, who stays in the penalty box waiting for a cross rather than making proactive movements outside the area.

Another draw or loss in the third round of the qualifiers could put Korea in a dangerous position in Group B ahead of their remaining run that lasts through June next year.

Korea sit in fourth place on the six-team table in Group D as of Monday. Only the top two teams from the group directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while the third and fourth-placed countries will head to the fourth round to vie for World Cup tickets again.

Oman, who sit in 76th place on the FIFA rankings, will be in action on the back of a 1-0 loss to Iraq on Thursday.

Oman’s last win came from a 3-0 victory over Taiwan in the second round of qualifiers in June.

Korea have recorded four wins and one loss against Oman to date, with the sole loss coming in 2003. The latest match between the two sides at the 2015 Asian Cup ended with a 1-0 win for Korea.

If Korea record another 0-0 draw, it will match the exact same start to Hong’s run with the national team during his first stint as manager in 2013.

His first two games in charge ended goalless, followed by one loss and another goalless draw. He secured his first win in his fifth match.

Despite his failure in the past, the KFA still appointed Hong in July after a controversial process during which KFA Techincal Director Lee Lim-saeng allegedly bypassed the selection committee to appoint Hong on his own.

Tuesday's qualifier kicks off at 6 p.m. in Oman, or 11 p.m. Korea time.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]