The Korean national soccer team will attempt to achieve its fourth consecutive win in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd Round Qualifier in a visiting match against Kuwait on the 14th.
As of the 13th, Korea is in first place with 10 points in Group B of the third preliminary round. The gap with 2nd place Jordan (7 points) is 3 points. After a draw in the first game of the third preliminary round against Palestine, Korea won three consecutive games by defeating Oman, Jordan, and Iraq in turn. In the third preliminary round, 18 countries will be divided into three groups of six teams each and play ‘home and away full league’ matches (10 games per team). The six teams ranked 1st and 2nd in each group in the third preliminary round will advance directly to the World Cup finals. The 3rd and 4th place teams from each group must compete in another Asian and intercontinental playoff for 2.5 tickets to the finals.
Korea is determined to secure first place in the group by winning both the 5th game against Kuwait and the 6th game against Palestine (on the 19th), which are being played one after another as visiting games. Korea concludes this year’s A-match schedule with the ‘Middle East 2-game series’. Korea will play three of the four games at home in the third preliminary round, which resumes in March next year. At the press conference announcing the national team roster for the November A-match held on the 4th, coach Hong Myung-bo of the national soccer team said, “The two third qualifying matches this month are very important games on the way to the World Cup finals.”
Son Heung-min, the national team’s key striker, has often played full time in international matches, but this time he is expected to adjust his playing time depending on his physical condition. This is because Son Heung-min suffered a recurrence of injury at Tottenham. Son Heung-min played 70 minutes in the English Premier League (EPL) match against West Ham on the 19th of last month during his ‘return from injury’. However, after the game, he felt pain again in the injured area and missed three games, including the EPL and Europa League, that Tottenham played after the West Ham match.
Son Heung-min, who returned to Tottenham after a break, played 56 minutes in the EPL match against Aston Villa on the 3rd and 45 minutes in the Europa League match against Galatasaray (Turkiye) on the 8th. He played full-time for the first time since his injury in the EPL match against Ipswich on the 11th (Korean time). Coach Hong said at a press conference on the 4th, “It is not desirable to put undue burden on Son Heung-min. “We are preparing by opening up various possibilities, such as adjusting the playing time,” he said.
Son Heung-min has scored 49 goals in 129 A-match games, ranking 3rd in all-time Korean A-match scoring. If Son Heung-min plays against Kuwait and scores two goals, he will be in second place. Second place in this category is Daejeon coach Hwang Seon-hong, who scored 50 goals. First place is former national soccer team coach Cha Bum-geun, who scored 58 goals.
Attention is also focused on the performance of European leaguers who joined the national team after increasing their attack points in the club team game last weekend. Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) scored 2 goals and 1 assist in the French Ligue 1 game. Midfielders Lee Jae-seong (Mainz) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), who have outstanding ability to participate in the attack, both hit the net with headers.ho (Stoke City), 21 years old this year and the youngest member of the national team, provided an assist with a corner kick. Bae Jun-ho played as a left-wing attacker in Son Heung-min’s position in the two-game series of the third round last month and provided assists in two consecutive games.
Reporter Jeong Yun-cheol [email protected]
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Interview: Time.news Editor with Soccer Expert on Korea’s World Cup Qualifying Journey
Time.news Editor: Welcome to our special interview segment! Today, we have the privilege of speaking with Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim, a renowned soccer analyst and expert on Asian football. Dr. Kim, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Ji-Hoon Kim: Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Korean soccer, and I’m thrilled to share my insights.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Korea’s national soccer team is gearing up for their qualifying match against Kuwait. They currently hold the top position in Group B. How crucial is this match for their World Cup aspirations?
Dr. Kim: It’s absolutely critical. Winning this match would solidify their first-place position and create a comfortable buffer against Jordan, who are trailing behind. Given that the top two teams in the group advance directly to the World Cup, every match is high-stakes at this point.
Editor: Right, and the team has been on a winning streak after an initial draw against Palestine. What do you think contributed to their recent successes?
Dr. Kim: I think the key has been a combination of solid coaching, improved teamwork, and the performance of star players like Son Heung-min. After that draw, the team seemed to come together, and they’ve delivered strong performances against Oman, Jordan, and Iraq.
Editor: Speaking of Son Heung-min, his health has been a concern after his recent injury. What are your thoughts on how his playing time should be managed during these critical qualifiers?
Dr. Kim: Coach Hong Myung-bo’s approach to managing Son’s playing time is wise. Given his history of injuries, it’s essential to balance his contributions on the field while ensuring he remains fit for crucial late-round matches. Son is integral to the team’s offense, but they need to be careful not to overburden him.
Editor: Son is close to moving up the all-time scoring list for the national team. If he scores two goals against Kuwait, he could surpass Hwang Seon-hong and move into the second position. What impact do you think that might have on his performance and confidence?
Dr. Kim: Scoring those goals would not only be a personal achievement for Son but would also elevate the team’s morale. Records can serve as motivating factors for players, and if he can channel that pressure positively, it might add an extra edge to his performance.
Editor: Aside from Son, there are other European league players like Lee Kang-in and Hwang In-beom making an impact. How do you assess their contributions to the national team?
Dr. Kim: The fact that players like Lee Kang-in are in form and contributing significantly to their club sides is promising for the national team. Their experience in high-pressure environments in Europe translates well to international play. It’s about building a cohesive unit, and with these players stepping up, Korea has a strong attacking force.
Editor: The upcoming matches are the last for Korea this year, and they will resume their qualifiers in March. What should fans expect in terms of strategy for these games?
Dr. Kim: Fans can expect a highly strategic approach. With two consecutive away games, tactically prepared counterattacks and solid defense will be vital. They’ll need to maintain possession and control the tempo of the game to avoid being caught on the back foot.
Editor: if Korea secures their placement in the World Cup, what would that mean for soccer in the country?
Dr. Kim: Securing a spot in the World Cup would be monumental. It would not only enhance the popularity of soccer further in South Korea but also inspire the next generation of players. The World Cup represents potential and growth for soccer culture across the nation.
Editor: Dr. Kim, thank you so much for your insights today. The upcoming qualifiers promise to be thrilling, and we’ll be sure to keep an eye on the national team’s progress!
Dr. Kim: Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing Korean soccer with you. Let’s hope for a successful campaign ahead!