On Feb. 7, the beginning of all events was that day. The shockwaves remembered as the “Qatar disaster” have been shaking Korean soccer so far. Led by then coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the national team accepted the humiliating 0-2 result in the 2023 Qatar Asian Cup semifinal match against Jordan held at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Alaiyan, Qatar. Although Korea was aiming for its first championship in 64 years amid the confidence that it was the best member of all time, it suffered a helpless defeat to Jordan, who had never lost on an important road to the Asian Cup final.
Coach Klinsmann, who said he would be evaluated as a result of his unfaithful attitude and leadership at a time when he was criticized for working from home, frequent overseas activities, and side jobs, was dismissed for less than a year in his term as coach, as he failed to quell the controversy due to inappropriate behavior and words even after the competition. As the team was known to have fistfights right before the semifinal match against Jordan, the team was in a complete chaos. With the Korean soccer continuing crisis, the team will meet with Jordan again. Team Hong Myung-bo departed Incheon International Airport on the 7th for an away game against Jordan in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North China-U.S. World Cup. Players who play in the K-League and the Japanese J-League first crossed Doha, Qatar, before heading to Amman, Jordan. European players such as Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), and Kim Min-jae (Munhen) will join the team immediately there.
The match against Jordan will take place at the Amman International Stadium at 11 p.m. on Saturday local time. Hong, who attended a meeting of the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee due to controversy over his appointment as the coach, is still in jeopardy. His performance was unsatisfactory, as he tied 0-0 with the Palestinians, the weakest team, on the home turf. If he loses one more game under this circumstance, he could spark public sentiment against him.
South Korean soccer aims to return to the top of its group with the revenge of the Asian Cup in the match against Jordan. South Korea is ranked second in the group (four points, plus two goals and three points) with one win and one draw in the first and second rounds of the third qualifying round in September in Palestine (home, 0-0) and Oman (away, 3-1). Jordan (four points, plus two goals and four points), which has recorded one win and one draw, is leading the group in multiple points. 메이저놀이터
However, Son Heung-min, the ace player of the national team, left due to a thigh injury. It is the first time since January 2022 that the national team will play a World Cup qualifying match without Son Heung-min.
In the current FIFA rankings, Korea (23rd) is far ahead of Jordan (68th), but as confirmed at the Asian Cup, the ranking is meaningless. At the last Asian Cup, Korean soccer met Jordan twice and failed to win both games. The team had a 2-2 draw in their group matches and suffered a humiliating 0-2 defeat in their semifinal matches. Jordan was the first Asian Cup finalist and the runner-up. Korean soccer must counter Jordan’s morale, which has increased due to the Asian Cup. On top of this, the team needs to overcome its fierce cheering and unfamiliar climate and fatigue from its home fans through an away match in the Middle East.