We looked back on how Iraqi coach Jesus Casas, who will face Hong Myung-bo, talked with the Korea Football Association about his managerial position.
Iraq will play the fourth Group B match against South Korea at 8 p.m. on the 15th at Mir Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America.
“Korea is a fantastic team equipped with good players,” Casas told an official news conference just one day before the match. “It is a difficult game that will be challenging for us, and it can be seen as an opportunity for experimentation. We look forward to a good game.”
Currently, Korea and Iraq are ranked first and second in Group B. With two wins and one draw, Korea (7, +4) is leading the team in goal difference, while Iraq (7, +2) is ranked second.
Casas said that South Korea is the best team in Group B, adding, “Of course, we think that South Korea will advance to the World Cup finals, and we, Jordan and Oman will fight for second place.” He added, “Based on the analysis of the team’s strength in Group B, South Korea is one-up.”
“He has an organizational power and pressure is well done in the form of 4-4-2,” he said of South Korea. “All players are playing defensively and there are many talented players.” 먹튀검증
Casas had been nominated for the leadership of the Korean national team since then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann. The coach even contacted him. “I had a conversation with the Korea Football Association, but I thought it would be difficult to achieve it realistically,” Casas recalled.
“We also talked about the style of the national team and players. The conversation itself was a good test for me,” he said. “As far as I know, the coach who is currently leading the Korean team has been appointed after going through a good test process.”
Finally, Casas said, “We only won one point in the last match against Kuwait, so we will try to make up for that,” adding, “It would be an honor to beat Korea.”