3-1 win in the visit to Kuwait… 5 points gap with 2nd place Jordan
Son Heung-min scores 50 goals in A match with penalty kick
Tied for second place with all-time scorer Hwang Seon-hong
Hong Myung-bo “Control hand play… “Continued protection”
Korean soccer achieved 4 consecutive wins in the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd round of qualifying, taking first place in its group.
The Korean national soccer team won 3-1 in the Group B match against Kuwait in the Asian 3rd preliminary round, which kicked off at 11 p.m. on the 14th. After a draw against Palestine in the first game of the third preliminary round, Korea won four consecutive games by defeating Oman, Jordan, Iraq, and Kuwait in order. Korea, which increased its points to 13, widened the gap with Jordan (8 points) in second place to 5 points and finished half of the third preliminary round in first place in the group. Jordan drew 0-0 with Iraq on the 15th and shared one point each. 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. After 10 games per team, the first and second places in each group (6 teams in total) advance directly to the World Cup finals.
Captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham), who returned to the national team after two months, scored Korea’s second and winning goal with a penalty kick. Son Heung-min injured the muscle behind his thigh during his club team Tottenham’s UEFA Europa League match at the end of September and was unable to join the national team for the two-game 3rd qualifying round match in October. In the 19th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min took the penalty kick and scored after being fouled in the process of breaking in front of the goal. It was his 50th goal in the A-match career. Son Heung-min tied for second place with Daejeon coach Hwang Seon-hong in the Korean A-match scoring rankings. First place is former national soccer team coach Cha Bum-geun, who scored a total of 58 goals. Son Heung-min said, “It is an honor to have my name mentioned along with many seniors.”
Bae Jun-ho, 21 years old and the youngest member of the national team, scored a runaway goal in the 29th minute of the second half, allowing Korea to trail 2-1. Bae Jun-ho, who received a penetrating pass from Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord), tactfully deflected the ball, bypassed the opponent’s defense, and hit the net with a right-footed shot. Bae Jun-ho, who scored 10 minutes after entering the field, said, “As I entered the stadium as a substitute, I thought I had to change the team atmosphere.”
Bae Jun-ho posted attack points in three consecutive A matches, including assisting in two consecutive games in the third preliminary round last month. The total number of goals scored in A matches was 2 goals (5 games). Bae Jun-ho scored his debut goal in the North and Central America World Cup Asian 2nd qualifying round match against Singapore (7-0, Korea won) in June, which was his A-match debut. Hwang In-beom, who recorded two assists in the game against Kuwait, including helping Bae Jun-ho score, said, “Bae Jun-ho has tremendous potential. “I don’t think he is a player I should
Korea scored 11 goals in 5 games of the 3rd preliminary round since coach Hong took charge. A total of 7 players, including attackers and midfielders, scored goals through various attack routes. For Korea, Son Heung-min, Oh Se-hoon (Machida), Lee Jae-seong (Mainz) and Oh Hyun-gyu (Genk) scored two goals each, while Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) and Joo Min-gyu (Ulsan) Bae Jun-ho scored one goal each. Oh Se-hoon, a tall striker with a height of 193 cm, scored the first goal in the 10th minute of the game against Kuwait by heading Hwang In-beom’s cross. Oh Se-hoon scored his international debut goal in the game against Iraq last month (3-2, Korea won), and then scored in two consecutive games, igniting the competition for the starting position as a frontline striker.
Korea will play the sixth match of the third preliminary round against Palestine on the 19th. This is Korea’s last international match this year. The match will be held in Amman, Jordan due to the war between Palestine and Israel.
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What tactics has Coach Hong Myung-bo implemented to improve Korea’s performance in the World Cup qualifiers?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Soccer Expert on Korea’s Recent Victory in World Cup Qualifiers
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, everyone. Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Kim Soo-hyun, a renowned soccer analyst, to dissect the recent performance of the Korean National Soccer Team in their 3-1 victory against Kuwait in the World Cup qualifiers. Thank you for joining us, Dr. Kim.
Dr. Kim Soo-hyun (KSH): Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time for Korean soccer.
TNE: Indeed! This victory marks Korea’s fourth consecutive win in the 2026 World Cup Asia qualifiers. What do you think has been the key to their success?
KSH: There are several factors. First and foremost, the team has shown incredible resilience and tactical awareness under Coach Hong Myung-bo. The players have adapted well to his strategies, resulting in a more cohesive unit on the field. The depth in squad selection, with various players stepping up to score, has also been critical.
TNE: We saw Son Heung-min return to the lineup and score the winning goal from a penalty kick. How significant is his return for the team’s morale and performance?
KSH: Son Heung-min is not just a key player; he’s the captain and a talismanic figure for the team. His ability to perform under pressure and score crucial goals boosts the entire team’s confidence. Scoring his 50th goal in A-matches ties him for second place in the all-time rankings for South Korea. His presence on and off the pitch is vital, especially when leading younger players like Bae Jun-ho.
TNE: Speaking of Bae Jun-ho, he had a standout performance with a goal that turned the game around. What potential do you see in him going forward?
KSH: Bae Jun-ho is phenomenal. At just 21, he has shown remarkable skill and composure. His goals and assists indicate he is not just a future star but a current impact player. He possesses the ability to change a game, as he demonstrated against Kuwait. With continued development and experience, he could become one of the leading figures in Korean soccer.
TNE: Interesting points! The team seems to have a balanced attacking front, with seven different players scoring in the qualifiers. How important is player versatility in such a competitive environment?
KSH: It’s crucial. Having multiple players capable of scoring makes a team less predictable and more difficult to defend against. Teams can’t just focus on shutting down one or two key players. The variety in scoring also shows that the players are working together effectively, which is a vital aspect of successful teamwork in soccer.
TNE: Coach Hong Myung-bo mentioned “continued protection” in his strategy after the win. How do you interpret this in the context of their upcoming matches?
KSH: Protection here likely refers to maintaining a solid defense while ensuring that key players are preserved from injuries. It’s about finding a balance between aggressive play and strategic defense. As they move forward in the qualifiers, it’s essential to keep the core team healthy while trying to secure their spot in the World Cup.
TNE: Looking ahead, how do you gauge Korea’s chances of making it to the World Cup finals?
KSH: With their current form, I’d say they have a strong chance. If they can maintain their momentum and continue to perform at this level, they can secure a top position in their group. The competition is tough, but with the skills they have and the strategies in place, I believe they can manage it.
TNE: Thank you, Dr. Kim, for your insights. It’s an exhilarating time for Korean soccer, and we appreciate your time and expertise.
KSH: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing this exciting topic. Let’s hope for more thrilling matches ahead!
TNE: And thank you to our audience for tuning in. We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments in the World Cup qualifiers.