Patched together Korea look to continue winning run in Iraq qualifier

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Patched together Korea look to continue winning run in Iraq qualifier

Published: 14 Oct. 2024, 13:53 Updated: 14 Oct. 2024, 16:56

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

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

The Korean national team trains at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Korea face Iraq in a 2026 World Cup qualifier Tuesday at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on the back of two straight wins under new manager Hong Myung-bo, with two late additions to the squad — Lee Seung-woo and Moon Seon-min.

The two Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors midfielders replace Hwang Hee-chan and Eom Ji-sung, who both sustained injuries in a qualifier against Jordan last week. The exit of Hwang and Eom came after Korea had already lost regular captain Son Heung-min to injury before last week’s fixture.

Hwang and Eom played as wingers in the qualifier. Moon has executed that role at Jeonbuk, although he has struggled in front of goal.

Lee Seung-woo can play on the flank, but he can also execute the No. 10 role in Hong’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Veteran midfielder Lee Jae-sung, however, shone in that position against Jordan by scoring a goal.

Lee Seung-woo, right, trains with the Korean national team at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on Sunday. [YONHAP]

If Lee plays Tuesday, it will be his first cap in five years, having made his last appearance in a friendly against Iran in June 2019. Since then, he has failed to make it onto the squad as his career has pivoted from struggling European prospect with little playing time to K League regular.

“I haven’t thought about the 2026 World Cup,” Lee said Sunday during an interview at Yongin Mireu Stadium ahead of training. “I am only thinking about doing my best as I’ve been waiting for this moment.

“It will be best if I play, but even if I don’t play, I want to make good memories here. I trained every day as I thought to myself, ‘it will work somehow.’ I came to this special place after such a long time.”

Hong still has the option to use Lee as a central midfielder, but that requires dropping either Hwang In-beom or Park Yong-woo, who both pulled off convincing performances against Jordan.

The two’s involvement not just in build-ups, but also in defense, allowed Korea to not concede a single goal in their 2-0 win over Jordan.

Center-back Kim Min-jae, who has the armband in Son's absense, was also quick to react to any through balls or passes in the Korea territory, proving a significant presence in defense and making up for what has been an oft-criticized part of the Korean game in recent years.

Over at the top, forward Joo Min-kyu lacked impact, failing to latch crosses to attempt shots. But fellow forward Oh Hyeon-gyu, who replaced Joo during that game, proved his potential by scoring his first goal for the national team.

Versatile midfielder Lee Kang-in, who played as a winger against Jordan, was largely shut down throughout the match, failing to counter pressure from multiple Jordanian defenders that marked him at the same time. With Son out the mix, Lee appears to be the new favorite target for the mob man marking that opposing AFC teams often deploy against Korea.

Bae Jun-ho, on the other hand, through himself into the mix, proving fast, agile and not afraid to get his hands dirty when attacking.

The 21-year-old midfielder did not make any difference to the final result, but his addition was a bright sign for Hong, who has an option to utilize him as a regular pick in the foreseeable future when regular captain Son retires from national duty.

Bae Jun-ho speaks during an interview at Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on Sunday. [YONHAP]

“I don’t know who will play [on Tuesday], and I have to compete with Seung-woo and Seon-min,” Bae said Sunday. “The atmosphere inside the team has been good since we’ve been called up. Our confidence raised thanks to the win. The senior players try to make sure the atmosphere is good. I am just enjoying training as one of the youngest players on the team.

“I always learn a lot as I watch Kang-in. I was very happy to have a chance to play alongside him.”

Bae has only made three caps since his first call-up in June, but already proved his potential and made his first cap count with a debut goal.

His notable performance at Championship side Stoke City earned him the nickname “South Korean King.”

“I lacked physical factors when I was in Korea, but I think complementing those factors improved my forte,” Bae said.

Bae can play as a winger, but is also a suitable option for No. 10, although the same goes for Lee Kang-in. Starting Tuesday’s fixture would mark Bae’s first time doing so for the national team.

Both Korea and Iraq have picked up two wins and one draw in the third round of the qualifiers. Korea, sitting at the top of Group B, edge out No. 2 Iraq on goal difference.

A loss to Iraq on Tuesday would switch the standings.

The upcoming qualifier marks the two team's first head-to-head clash since a friendly in January ahead of the Asian Cup that ended with a 1-0 win for Korea.

Lee Jae-sung, center, celebrates during a friendly between Korea and Iraq at New York University's Abu Dhabi campus in the United Arab Emirates on Jan. 6. [YONHAP]

The Taeguk Warriors have picked up nine wins, 12 draws and two losses against Iraq so far.

Iraq have only scored two goals in the past three qualifiers, but have yet to concede a single goal.

Tuesday’s qualifier kicks off at 8 p.m. at Yongin Mireu Stadium. The stadium was picked to host its first senior men's national team game as the pitch quality is deemed to be better than that of Seoul World Cup Stadium, the usual venue for national team fixtures.

Tuesday’s qualifier wraps up the October international break for Korea, with the third round continuing in November and through next year.

Korea need to finish the third round of qualifiers as group winners or runners-up, as only the top two teams from the three groups in Asia directly qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The third and fourth-placed teams on the six-team table in each group head to the fourth round for a final shot at a World Cup ticket.

Qualifying for the 2026 World Cup would mark Korea’s 11th straight time doing so. Korea already holds the title of the first Asian country to reach the World Cup for 10 straight tournaments.

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