Goyang: South Korea is set to continue its journey toward securing a berth in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, preparing to face Oman on Thursday at Goyang Stadium. This match marks the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification, with South Korea currently leading Group B with 14 points from four victories and two draws. They hold a three-point advantage over Iraq and are five points ahead of Jordan, their next opponent.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s path to the World Cup will be pursued without the services of their top defender, Bayern Munich’s Kim Min-jae, who is sidelined due to left Achilles tendinitis. Kim’s absence is a significant blow, as he had been dealing with the injury for weeks, and Bayern announced his expected recovery would take at least a couple of weeks. South Korea’s head coach, Hong Myung-bo, expressed concerns about Bayern Munich’s management of Kim’s injury, attributing his absence in crucial matches to the club’s failure to protect the player adequately.
Despite the setback, South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world, is expected to overcome the challenge posed by 80th-ranked Oman. In their previous encounter in September in Muscat, South Korea emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, bolstered by goals from Hwang Hee-chan, Son Heung-min, and Joo Min-kyu, all of whom are available for the upcoming match.
While Hwang and Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom have recently returned from injuries, Joo is in excellent form, leading the K League 1 with five goals in five matches for Daejeon Hana Citizen FC. Son Heung-min, the captain of both South Korea and Tottenham Hotspur, remains a pivotal figure, with head coach Hong planning to manage his workload carefully.
South Korea’s offensive strategy may also rely on younger talents, such as Celtic FC’s Yang Hyun-jun, who has been in impressive form with four goals and five assists in his last seven matches. Oh Hyeon-gyu of KRC Genk, with 10 goals this season, adds further depth to the squad. Yang, who recently rejoined the national team, expressed excitement and determination, emphasizing his growth over the past year.
In Kim’s absence, the South Korean defense will depend on players like Cho Yu-min of Sharjah and Jung Seung-hyun of Al-Wasl. Additionally, experienced goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo returns to the team after recovering from a broken nose, having played with a protective mask for Ulsan HD FC.
As South Korea prepares for these crucial matches, the team remains focused on securing their spot in the World Cup, with a blend of seasoned players and emerging talents poised to rise to the occasion.