After months of strife, 2024 ends well for Korea
Members of the Korean men's national football team celebrate during a World Cup qualifying match against Iraq in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday. Yonhap
It's been a near-perfect few days for Korea and its quest to qualify for an 11th successive World Cup. This was always going to be the toughest window of the entire third round, a visit to Jordan on Thursday and then a long flight home to take on Iraq in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. A week earlier, the three teams had been level on four points after two games in Group B. Now Korea has 10 points and is three clear.
The 2-0 victory in Amman, Jordan, was followed by a 3-2 win over Iraq on Tuesday. This gives the team a total of 10 points from 12, and it would take a significant collapse for Korea not to secure a top-two finish in the six-team group, ensuring an automatic spot in North America. Notably, among the six remaining matches, two are against Kuwait, which is considered the weakest team in the group.
Also of note, is that the wins have not just come against the biggest rivals in the group but without captain, star player and talisman Son Heung-min, injured in action for London club Tottenham Hotspur. Worse, his fellow English Premier League forward Hwang Hee-chan limped off after 20 minutes of the Jordan game. Oh Hyeong-gyu stepped in and scored in each game. Another young player, Bae Jun-ho has also impressed, adding creativity in attack.
Given all the negative headlines in the background, the issues with the Korea Football Association and the appointment of Hong Myung-bo as head coach to get two solid results in five days was impressive. It has really taken the pressure off and means that the team and the coach can start to look forward and plan.
Another positive development is that Lee Kang-in appears to be prepared to embrace the role of the team's star, becoming the focal point both on and off the field. The Paris Saint-Germain attacking midfielder is one of the most talented players that Asia has produced for a long time. Against Jordan, he produced moments of quality that made a difference and though he looked a little tired against Iraq, it was understandable.
Iraq coach Jesus Casas explained after the defeat in Yongin that he had made special plans for Lee. "We prepared two left backs to block Lee Kang-in, the most dangerous player who controls the game well," said the Spaniard. "These tactics did not create more opportunities in terms of our attacking."
Following the controversy at the Asian Cup, where Lee clashed with Son before the semi-final defeat to Jordan, the young player faced backlash from fans across the nation. The pair quickly made up, and there are no concerns that Lee can't make the step up when Son steps down from international duty. At the age of 32, the next World Cup will surely be his last.
Son will be delighted with these two results. They have not been the result of fantastic play or amazing individual performances but due to a team that has been able to produce something in attack when needed. Winning in Jordan is not easy. Amman is a tough place and Asian teams have struggled there over the years. It is a place to get in and get out and not worry too much about entertaining. Iraq is a talented and well-organized team that is always hard to beat.
Korea did not exactly make it look easy but the Taeguk Warriors look like they are going to go all the way to North America in the summer of 2026. After a stressful and disappointing 2024 so far, that is something to celebrate.