Song Heung-min, captain of Korean males's national soccer team, reacts after a aim against Oman throughout their Group B match within the third spherical of the Asian World Cup qualification at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Muscat, Oman, Sept. 10. Yonhap
By John Duerden
After weeks of the Korea Football Association and Chung Mong-gyu, its president, dominating the headlines and going through criticism from the federal government, it's now time for the gamers to take middle stage. World Cup qualification continues on Thursday with a difficult journey to Jordan, the place the gamers are motivated by ideas of revenge.
It was the 2-0 loss to Jordan within the semi-final of the Asian Cup on Feb.6 that proved to be a turning level and is an enormous purpose why the KFA has been the main target of Korean soccer a lot. It was such a complete defeat against a team that the Taeguk Warriors had been anticipated to beat comfortably that it price Jurgen Klinsmann his job as head coach – or maybe it was the sport that confirmed that the German actually wasn’t the correct man for the job.
The chaotic seek for the alternative finally settled on Hong Myung-bo and the brand new coach is eager to put all that behind him. A win in Jordan would assist.
He will, nonetheless, be without captain and star participant Son Heung-min. The 32 year-old injured his hamstring whereas enjoying for Tottenham Hotspur just lately and has not been known as up. It is a blow for the team and the coach. It does nonetheless, go away the door open for others corresponding to Bae Jun-ho who has been spectacular for Stoke City in England’s second tier.
“I am sure Son himself would love to play, even if he is not 100 percent. That's the way he has been,” Hong mentioned. “I know a lot of fans would love to see him play but I don't want to force the issue. We do have a Plan B in case Son can't play.”
Lee Kang-in can step up and be the star of the team. The 23 year-old has been in high-quality kind for Paris Saint-Germain this season and has the flexibility to make a distinction to any team.
This is a query that Korea can have to face within the not-too-distant future. By the time the following World Cup comes alongside, Son will probably be turning 34 and it'll certainly be his final. Even although he's nonetheless very match and in nice situation, the participant isn't going to have too many extra years on the high degree of the European recreation.
“The most important thing is his health and physical condition for the long run,” coach Hong mentioned. “Should we qualify for the 2026 World Cup, then his efficiency will probably be extraordinarily essential for our team. We will stay in contact with Son and his team and take a look at to determine a method to get probably the most out of him without operating him into the bottom.”
There are still plenty of World Cup qualifiers to come. After two games, Korea has four points and is level with Jordan and Iraq at the top of Group B and after the game in Amman, will return home to host Iraq next Tuesday. These are a crucial few days. The top two from each of the three groups will advance directly to the 2026 tournament while those that finish third and fourth will advance to the next phase.
Any game in Jordan is tough but the team showed what it could do at the Asian Cup. There are some reasons to be cheerful. The coach who did so much at the Asian Cup –Hussein Ammouta– has left to coach in the United Arab Emirates.
