Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Bae Joon-ho (Stoke), Kim Min-jae (Munich), and Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) have cleared their ranks ahead of the match against Palestine.
The national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play the 6th away match of Group B of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea-China at Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan, at 11 p.m. on the 19th (Korea time).
Currently, Korea ranks first with 13 points (4 wins and 1 draw), while Palestine ranks sixth with 2 points (2 draws and 3 losses).
South Korea turned the turning point of the third qualifying round with a five-point lead over second-place Jordan (eight points, two wins, two draws and one loss).
If it catches the match against Palestine, it can cross the eighth ridge of its 11th consecutive World Cup finals.
At 5 p.m. local time on the 18th, the national soccer team conducted its final training session in preparation for the Palestinian match at Amman International Stadium.
Since it is the first and last training session in Jordan, there were concerns about adaptation to the local area, but it is not expected to be a big problem.
The national soccer team experienced Amman International Stadium through an away match in Jordan in the third round of the third qualifying round last month.
According to an official from the Korea Football Association, the national soccer team is known to feel familiar like a home game, although it is an away game because it is conducted in the same environment as last month’s match against Jordan from the accommodation to the training ground.
Son Heung-min, Bae Joon-ho, Kim Min-jae and Cho Yoo-min stood out in the training.
Currently, Son Heung-min needs thorough management in the aftermath of a hamstring (muscle behind his thigh) injury, and Bae Joon-ho is drawing attention as an alternative option for Son Heung-min.
During the match against Kuwait in Game 5, Son Heung-min played as a starter and scored his 50th A match, and Bae Joon-ho played as a substitute and scored a net goal to meet expectations.
The two players had close conversations several times during training sessions in the Middle East and sweated together in preparation for the Palestinian match.
The combination of Kim Min-jae and Cho Yoo-min has recently been firmly in charge of Hong Myung-bo’s goal.
The two players worked together in the final training session compared to the match against Palestine.
Since taking office, Hong has checked several players at home and abroad to find a match for top center back Kim Min-jae.
Competition was ignited as Kim Young-kwon (Ulsan), who is in his mid-30s, was excluded after the first match against Palestine.
Jung Seung-hyun (Al-Wasl) had a chance in the second round away match in Oman, but Cho Yoo-min recently emerged.
Game 3, Game 4, Iraq, and Game 5 Kuwait all played full time to secure the selection.
If Cho Yoo-min starts in the match against Palestine, Hong Myung-bo’s central defense is likely to solidify into the line between Kim Min-jae and Cho Yoo-min. 안전놀이터
Leading the way, South Korea plans to seize the Palestinians and solidify its dominance.
Ahead of the match against Palestine, head coach Hong said, “It’s the sixth game of the third qualifying round and it’s the last game of the year,” adding, “I’ll give up the idea of winning easily and prepare with a really strong mind to play well tomorrow.”
“The Palestinians have a stronger mental preparedness than any other team,” Hong said. “We fully understand why the Palestinians hosted the home game here. We will prepare well.”
After the match against Palestine, South Korea will conclude its two consecutive away matches in the Middle East and this year’s A-match schedule.