An unexpected welcome name was heard.
The South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, began training against Palestine at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan on the 18th (Korea time) to prepare for a neutral match in Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup between North Korea and China.
The players had their first and last training session since they entered Jordan just a day before the match against Palestine. Most overseas players will return to their teams from Tuesday, the day after the match, and the team’s headquarters, including the K-League, will return to Korea through Incheon International Airport on Sunday.
The training was open to reporters for about 15 minutes, and I was able to talk with Jordanian reporters.
A Jordanian journalist said, “There are a lot of Palestinian citizens living in Jordan. They are on good terms. No matter how strong Korea is, it will not be an easy match,” adding, “Let’s go to the World Cup with Jordan.”
“Jordan players are also playing in the Korean league. Seowul (Seoul, FC Seoul) and Yazan Al-Araab (aged 28), and he is a very good defender. If I had to pick three best players, I would say Yazan Al-Araab, Musa Al-Tamari (Montpellier HSC), and Yazan Al-Naimat (Al-Araibi SC).”
He couldn’t hide his smile when he responded that the reporters knew all the players and that Yazan Al-Rab was one of the best defenders in the K-League.
A video recording staff accompanying a Jordanian reporter said he was also from Jordan, adding, “Tomorrow (19th) the stadium will be filled with half Palestinian and half Jordanians,” and added, “I’m looking forward to playing against South Korea next year.” 스포츠토토
Yazan, who left Muaidar SC this summer to challenge the K-League stage, has become a ray of light for Seoul, which has been suffering from anxiety over the back door. Seoul, which has been in the middle ranks throughout this season, has been on track since Kang Hyun-moo and Yazan joined, and has confirmed its advance to the Final A for the first time in five years under coach Kim Ki-dong.
In the national team, Yazan has been called the best defender in Jordan’s history. Since his A-match debut in 2017, Yazan has played 54 games in total and has become an irreplaceable resource by leading Jordan to the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup championship earlier this year.