The Korean national soccer team, which Coach Hong Myung-bo took the helm of, has been mired in self-reflection since its departure. Since the draw with Palestine, which is considered the weakest team among the teams to be played in the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup in North Korea and the U.S., without a goal, the mood in and around the team is unstable.
South Korea, ranked 23rd in the FIFA rankings, drew 0-0 after a rough match against Palestine (ranked 96th) in the first Group B match held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 5th. It was expected to win multiple points as it was the first time the opponent played in the third qualifying round and fought on the back of the home fans’ unilateral support, but the result fell far short of expectations. Son Heung-min (Tottenham), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton) were deployed one after another, but they failed to score a goal. Rather, they suffered several crises, such as being unable to properly guard the ball due to strong pressure from the opponent, or allowing dizzying shots in a powerful counterattack.
When introducing the players before the game, some fans booed him when Hong Myung-bo’s name was called. As the mood was frustrating afterwards, the booing became louder and louder whenever Hong’s face was reflected on the electronic display. After the game, nearly 60,000 spectators shouted “Wow” in one voice, expressing their disappointment.
After the game, Hong and his main players all bowed their heads at an official press conference and interviewed at the mixed zone. However, there was a temperature difference in their views on the cause and countermeasures for the poor performance. “I fully understand how the fans feel,” Hong said about the boos to him. “It’s not easy to endure such scenes, but I think this is something I have to endure going forward.” He seemed to imply that negative public opinion would not subside for the time being, and that he would prepare for the long term.
Defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) was particularly sensitive to the booing by fans. He repeatedly made gestures as if asking for restraint right after the game ended. He even got into an argument with some fans close to the ground. “I asked (for restraint) because there were people who wanted us to do it,” he said in an interview with Mix Zone, expressing regret over the unfamiliar atmosphere of the stadium.
“The booing we sent during the game is a protest against the Korea Football Association, which is consistent in lies, and the coach (Hong Myung-bo) who has betrayed his belief,” the Red Devils of the Korean national soccer team said in a statement. “Kim Min-jae seems to have made such remarks, adding to the misunderstanding over the unwanted outcome. However, it is very regrettable how and where he expressed his feelings.”
Captain and leader Son Heung-min took a middle ground position. After the match, when asked about Kim Min-jae’s behavior, he said, “A case like Min-jae (who has conflicts with fans) should not come out again. We should not make an enemy of our own at home games.” Regarding the booing toward Hong, he said, “The players cannot change the outcome (regarding the appointment of the coach). Since the coach was decided, we have also been doing our best to wear (Hong Myung-bo’s) clothes.”
Playmaker Lee Kang-in more actively defended Hong. “Today is my first game with the coach, and it’s very unfortunate that we started with boos, not cheers,” he said. “All the players trust and follow the coach 100 percent. I have faith in him that he will lead us to soccer that beats us and good soccer.”
With the main players making various voices regarding the first match of the Hong Myung-bo team, the team gathered at Incheon International Airport on the evening of the 6th and left for Muscat, Oman, the next match. South Korea will play the second away match against Oman at 11 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time).
All five teams will be competing against Middle Eastern countries in the third round. According to Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Korea has to travel a total of 60,190 kilometers through 10 matches this year. After arriving in the Middle East for an away match, Korea will have to adapt to unfamiliar environment and time difference of five to six hours. During the match, the team has to fight dense defense and bed soccer.
Considering the highly murderous schedule, 안전놀이터 the association will return to Korea after playing the third away match against Jordan and fly a chartered plane carrying athletes, soccer fans and media together next month when it will have the fourth home match against Iraq. The association will pay nearly 800 million won (approx.
In this regard, an official from the Korea Football Association said, “Coach Hong Myung-bo believes that if the third qualifying schedule enters after the middle, exhaustion of the team’s physical strength and increased risk of injury (due to long-distance movement) will be important variables,” adding, “We are considering ways to maintain the competitiveness of the players.”