Hee-chan Hwang (29, Wolverhampton) scored the opening goal to take the lead.
The South Korea national soccer team, led by coach Myung-bo Hong (56), is facing Oman in the 7th match of Group B of the third round of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Goyang Sports Complex at 8 p.m. on the 20th. Currently, with the first half concluded, South Korea leads 1-0 thanks to Hwang's opening goal.
South Korea is maintaining its first place in Group B with 14 points (4 wins, 2 draws). Iraq (11 points), Jordan (9 points), Oman (6 points), Kuwait (4 points), and Palestine (3 points) are following behind. The top two teams from each group in the third round of qualifiers will earn direct tickets to the finals.
If South Korea wins both its match against Oman and the scheduled match against Jordan on the 25th, gaining 6 points, it will secure its qualification for the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time, regardless of the outcomes of the matches against Iraq and Kuwait in June. Therefore, winning the match against Oman is crucial. South Korea succeeded in scoring the opening goal.
South Korea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Jumin Kyu positioned himself at the forefront, while Heung-min Son, Jae-sung Lee, and Hee-chan Hwang formed the second line of attack. Seung-ho Baek and Yong-woo Park protected the back four, with Tae-seok Lee, Kyung-won Kwon, Yu-min Jo, and Young-woo Seol forming the defensive line. Hyun-woo Jo guarded the goal.
Oman also adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation. Issam Al Sabhi aimed for the goal, while Abdul Al-Masifri, Ali Al-Busaidi, and Yamil Al-Yahmadi lined up in the second line of attack. Abdullah Fawaz and Said Al-Alawi occupied the midfield, and Al-Rushidi, Khalid Al-Buraiki, Ahmed Al-Khamisi, and Abdullah Al-Harti formed the back four. The goalkeeper gloves were donned by Ibrahim Al-Mukhaini.
In the first half, South Korea increased its ball possession while aiming for a goal. Seol Young-woo and Hee-chan Hwang on the right side disrupted the defense, passing the ball to Heung-min Son, who moved centrally to attack.
Oman did not just sit back. They created a threatening chance after Al Sabhi broke through the defense with a quick counterattack.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Heung-min Son, who received the ball on the left side, drew the defense before passing to Yong-woo Park, who entered the box, but his attempt was blocked by the defense.
South Korea felt regret. In the 35th minute of the first half, a cross sent in by Seung-ho Baek headed toward the box, and while the attackers dove for a header, the goalkeeper cleared it with his hand.
Shortly after, South Korea faced a setback as Seung-ho Baek fell due to injury during a challenge, prompting the substitution of Kang-in Lee in the 38th minute.
Lee Kang-in's introduction proved effective. In the 41st minute of the first half, he sent a timely pass to Hee-chan Hwang, who was making a penetrating run. Hee-chan, receiving the ball in the box, shot immediately to establish a 1-0 lead. South Korea, which had struggled to produce shots, was finally relieved by Hwang's goal.
Three additional minutes were granted for the first half. Just before the half-time whistle, Heung-min Son took a sharp free kick, but it was saved. The first half concluded with South Korea leading 1-0.
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