S. Korea settles for 1-1 draw against Oman in World Cup qualifying match
Hwang Hee-chan of Korea, right, scores during Korea's 1-1 draw against Oman in a World Cup qualifying match in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday. Yonhap
South Korea settled for a 1-1 draw against Oman in a World Cup qualifying match at home Thursday night, unable to overcome injuries to key players.
Hwang Hee-chan of Wolverhampton Wanderers scored for S. Korea in the 41st minute of the teams' Group B match in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification at Goyang Stadium in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, who replaced injured teammate Paik Seung-ho in the 38th minute, assisted on that goal with a sharp pass. But Lee himself was taken out of the match with an apparent ankle injury, suffered moments before Ali Al-Busaidi netted the equalizer for Oman in the 80th minute.
South Korea, world No. 23, also played 80th-ranked Oman without Bayern Munich center back Kim Min-jae, who was dropped from the national team on Saturday due to a left Achilles tendinitis.
With three matches left, South Korea remains atop Group B tables with 15 points from four wins and three draws. They will next play Jordan at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on Tuesday.
South Korea has played at every World Cup since 1986. (Yonhap)