Captain Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich) was not swayed even in the enemy territory. Showing good teamwork with his new partner Cho Yoo-min (28, Sharjah), he silenced Jordan’s attacks and made his name worthwhile.
Kim Min-jae started in the third Group B match of the Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup against Jordan at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan on the 11th (Korea time), and played all 90 minutes, contributing to his team’s 2-0 win. With the victory, South Korea ranked first in Group B (7 points).
Kim Min-jae replaced Son Heung-min (32), who was knocked out due to an injury, with the captain’s armband. It was the first time in a year that he played as the captain of the national team. Coincidentally, his opponent was Jordan, who defeated Korea eight months ago in the semifinal match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.
At the time, Kim Min-jae was absent due to accumulated warnings, and had to watch his team suffer 0-2 defeat. It was different on the day. At the first meeting in eight months, he wore the captain’s armband and headed to the enemy territory.
Jordan threatened South Korea with strong pressure and unique counterattacks, but he always failed to cross the defensive wall. According to the soccer statistics outlet Potmob, Kim won by decision over Jordan, with five out of eight contests.
Kim has shown good chemistry even after changing partners. Kim has played with Jeong Seung-hyeon (Alwasul) and Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan HD). However, Cho’s partner on the day was Cho Yoo-min.
Kim Min-jae had never started at the same time as Cho Yoo-min this year. During the second qualifying round in June, when Cho Yoo-min started, Kim Min-jae was absent from the national team due to injury.
Jordan’s defense capability remained strong despite the change of partners. Jordan recorded 13 shots on the day, but only two of them were headed for the goal. Five shots were blocked by defense walls, and the defense team was unable to overcome Kim Min-jae and Cho Yoo-min.
Kim also drew attention as a “mental issue” as he had a verbal battle with fans who booed him in the first Group B match against Palestine last month. After admitting his fault, however, Kim showed off his presence by wearing the captain’s armband and showing off his solid performance in the enemy territory. 스포츠토토
With the victory, Korea continued its salty defense, in which it has allowed only one run in the last six games. Attention is focusing on whether Korea will be able to continue its defense like the one against Jordan in the fourth Group B match against Iraq that will take place at Yongin Mir Stadium on Saturday.