All 4 consecutive wins, first goal in the first half, easy thanks to tight defense
World Cup qualifier 6th match against Palestine at 11pm on the 19th
The key to success or failure for Hong Myung-Boho, who is challenging his fifth consecutive win in the 3rd round of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian region qualifiers, is the first goal. Since it is easy to win if you score first, the key is how quickly you can open the goal for Palestine.
The national soccer team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play the 6th match of Group B of the 2026 North and Central America World Cup Asian 3rd qualifying round against Palestine at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan, at 11 p.m. (Korean time) on the 19th.
Korea, which swept Kuwait 3-1 on the 14th and continued its 4-game winning streak, took the lead among the 6 teams in Group B with 4 wins and 1 draw (13 points). The point difference between Jordan in second place and Iraq in third place (8 points) was 5, solidifying their dominance.
Korea, which reached the halfway mark among the 10 games in the third preliminary round, is determined to use its momentum to continue its five-game winning streak against Palestine.
Palestine is ranked 100th in the FIFA rankings, 78 places lower than Korea, which is ranked 22nd. In the third preliminary round, they are at the bottom with 2 draws and 3 losses (2 points).
However, Korea recorded ‘1 draw’ in its previous record against Palestine. They saved face by drawing 0-0 in the first leg of the third preliminary round held at Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 5.
The Taegeuk Warriors are pledging to exact revenge against Palestine, whom they meet again after two months. Although Palestine was unable to open the goal in September, the source of confidence is that the team’s organization and performance have revived and they are back on track.
Korea scored a total of 11 goals and defeated Oman (3-1), Jordan (2-0), Iraq (3-2), and Kuwait (3-1). What is noteworthy is the first goal.
Korea took the lead in all four games by scoring in the first half. Taegeuk Warriors, who took the initiative, launched a well-organized attack based on this and broke down the opponent’s defense. Korea, which had such an advantage in the game, achieved victory without allowing a single comeback.
In this game against Palestine, if you break through the dense defense first, the opponent will have no choice but to raise their line for a counterattack, making the game easier.
The Palestinian defense is not strong. Palestine has conceded the first goal in all four games since the Korean War, three of them in the first half.
Hong Myung-bo’s goal didn’t just happen in the first half. Six of the 11 goals came in the second half, four of which came at the feet of jokers.
In the game against Oman, Joo Min-gyu, who came on as a substitute in the 44th minute of the second half, scored an additional goal 12 minutes later to seal the victory, and in the game against Jordan, Oh Hyun-gyu and Bae Jun-ho, who came on as substitutes in the 6th minute of the second half, combined for an additional goal in the 23rd minute of the second half. Afterwards, in the Iraq game, Oh Hyun-gyu and in the Kuwait game, Bae Jun-ho each received the joker assignment and scored a goal.
In the last international match of the year against Palestine, we will try to piece together the puzzle of victory with hot attacking soccer.
(Seoul = News 1)
What are the key challenges Palestine may pose to South Korea in the upcoming World Cup qualifier?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome to Time.news, and thank you for joining us today. With the much-anticipated World Cup qualifier just around the corner, it seems like South Korea is poised for another exciting match against Palestine. Here to help us break down what’s at stake is our football expert, Dr. Jamie Lee. Welcome, Dr. Lee!
Dr. Jamie Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an exciting topic.
Editor: South Korea has been on a great run lately, winning four consecutive matches. What do you think has contributed to this success?
Dr. Lee: Absolutely! The consistency and performance of the team under Coach Hong Myung-bo have been impressive. They’ve shown great organizational skills, especially in defense, giving them the confidence to dominate their opponents. Notably, scoring first has been pivotal; it sets the tone for the entire game.
Editor: Speaking of scoring first, how crucial do you think it will be for South Korea to find the net early against Palestine?
Dr. Lee: It’s critical. Coach Hong has emphasized that scoring the first goal significantly increases their chances of winning. Historically, when they get ahead early, they maintain control of the game. Against Palestine, who are struggling at the bottom of the group, an early goal could really demoralize them.
Editor: On that note, let’s talk about Palestine. They come into this match ranked 100th in FIFA’s rankings and have been struggling in this qualifying round. Could this present any unexpected challenges for South Korea?
Dr. Lee: While Palestine’s ranking and form might suggest a straightforward match, we mustn’t underestimate them. They managed to hold South Korea to a 0-0 draw in the first leg. This indicates they can effectively defend and disrupt their opponent’s strategy. South Korea will need to stay alert and not take complacency into the match.
Editor: That’s a great point. Looking ahead, this match could potentially extend South Korea’s winning streak to five. How important is momentum in these qualifiers?
Dr. Lee: Momentum is everything in competitive sports! The confidence gained from recent victories can uplift a team’s morale. South Korea has proven they’re capable of scoring and defending well, and they’ll be looking to carry that energy into this match to strengthen their position at the top of Group B.
Editor: The match will take place at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan. How might the venue affect the game?
Dr. Lee: Playing away always poses a challenge due to different conditions, including pitch quality and fan presence. However, South Korea has experience in these situations and should adapt well. The key will be how they handle pressure, especially if Palestine excites their home crowd.
Editor: Lastly, if South Korea wins this match, how do you see their chances in the upcoming qualifiers?
Dr. Lee: I believe a victory against Palestine would solidify their dominance in the group. With their current form and tactical approach, they could very well maintain their winning streak and push towards qualification for the World Cup. Each match becomes crucial as they aim for not just victories, but also confidence going into the tournament.
Editor: Well, Dr. Lee, thank you for your insights and analysis! It seems like there’s a lot to look forward to in the upcoming match. We’ll be watching closely to see if South Korea can keep up their strong performance.
Dr. Lee: Thank you for having me! It’s going to be an exciting match, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!
Editor: And to our readers, stay tuned for more updates on the World Cup qualifiers and the thrilling journey of our national teams. Until next time!