After a relatively quiet start, Ju Min-kyu (35, Daejeon) was called off the bench, and Oh Se-hoon (26, Machida Zelvia) was brought in.
The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo (56), is facing Oman in the B Group 7th match of the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) North and Central American World Cup Asian Regional Third Qualifier at Goyang Sports Complex at 8 p.m. on the 20th. Finished the first half leading 1-0, South Korea aimed for an additional goal by bringing in Oh Se-hoon in the second half.
South Korea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ju Min-kyu took the front position, and Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, and Hwang Hee-chan stood in the attacking midfield line. Baek Seung-ho and Park Yong-woo protected the back four, while Lee Tae-seok, Kwon Kyung-won, Jo Yu-min, and Seol Young-woo formed the defensive line. Jo Hyun-woo stood in goal.
Oman also adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation. Isaam Al Sabhi sought to score, while Abdul Al Masifri, Ali Al Busaidi, and Yamil Al Yahmadi stood in the attacking midfield line. Abdallah Fawaz and Said Al Alawi filled the midfield, and Al Rushaydi, Khalid Al Braiki, Ahmed Al Kamishi, and Abdallah Al Harthi formed the back four. The goalkeeper's gloves were worn by Ibrahim Al Mukaini.
In the first half, South Korea increased ball possession and sought to score. Seol Young-woo and Hwang Hee-chan, positioned on the right side, disrupted the defense and passed the ball to Son Heung-min, who moved centrally to attack.
Oman was not just sitting back either. Al Sabhi managed to penetrate the defense with a quick counterattack and created a threatening opportunity.
In the 22nd minute of the first half, Son Heung-min, who received the ball on the left side, lured the opposing defense before passing to Park Yong-woo, who sent the ball into the box but was blocked by the defense.
South Korea swallowed their disappointment. In the 35th minute of the first half, Baek Seung-ho's cross went into the box, and the attackers threw themselves for a header, but the goalkeeper deflected it with his hand.
Shortly after, South Korea faced a setback. Baek Seung-ho collapsed due to an injury during a challenge, and South Korea brought in Lee Kang-in in the 38th minute of the first half.
Lee Kang-in's introduction proved effective. In the 41st minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in delivered a precise pass to the penetrating Hwang Hee-chan, who collected the ball in the box and shot it to give South Korea a 1-0 lead. Struggling to create chances, South Korea found relief with Hwang Hee-chan's goal.
Three minutes of stoppage time was added for the first half. Just before the first half ended, Son Heung-min had a sharp free kick, but it was saved. The first half concluded with South Korea leading 1-0.
Immediately after the start of the second half, South Korea used a substitution card. Bringing in Oh Se-hoon instead of the somewhat quiet Ju Min-kyu in the first half, they aimed for an additional goal. Having taken the lead from Hwang Hee-chan's goal in the first half, South Korea sought changes for further scoring.
[OSEN]