Despite the disappointing draw, Son Heung-min's free role was noteworthy.

Under the guidance of head coach Hong Myung-bo (56), the South Korean national football team faced Oman in the 7th match of Group B in the 2026 FIFA North and Central American World Cup Asian qualifying rounds at Goyang Sports Complex on the evening of the 20th at 8 p.m. They could not maintain the lead from Hwang Hee-chan's brilliant finish after Lee Kang-in's sharp pass and ended up drawing 1-1.

As a result, South Korea maintained its position at the top of Group B with 15 points (4 wins, 3 draws). It is a disappointing result. If South Korea had secured 3 points from this match against Oman and won against Jordan on the 25th, they could have confirmed their participation in the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time early, regardless of the matches against Iraq and Kuwait in June. However, due to the outcome of this game, they must now wait until the A match in June.

South Korea started in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Ju Min-kyu was positioned at the forefront, while Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, and Hwang Hee-chan occupied the attacking second 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. The goal was defended by Jo Hyun-woo.

Oman also adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation. Issam Al Sabhi aimed for goals, and Abdul Al Masifri, Ali Al Busaidi, and Yamil Al Yahmadi formed the attacking second line. Abdullah Fawaz and Said Al Alawi filled the midfield, while Al Rushaydi, Khalid Al Buraiki, Ahmed Al Kamisi, and Abdullah Al Harthi set up the back four. The goalkeeper gloves were worn by Ibrahim Al Mukaini.

The first half was somewhat frustrating. They struggled to find solutions against the opponent's dense defense and failed to connect shooting opportunities despite their high ball possession. Additionally, Baek Seung-ho collapsed due to injury during a challenge in the 35th minute. Despite receiving treatment, he could not return, prompting South Korea to substitute Lee Kang-in in the 38th minute.

Lee Kang-in's introduction proved effective. In the 41st minute, Lee Kang-in delivered a precise pass to Hwang Hee-chan, who was making a penetrating run. Hwang Hee-chan seized the ball in the box and shot immediately, giving South Korea a 1-0 lead. After struggling to create shoots, South Korea found relief with Hwang Hee-chan's goal. The first half concluded with a score of 1-0.

Immediately after the start of the second half, South Korea used a substitution card. They brought on Oh Se-hoon in place of the somewhat quiet Ju Min-kyu in search of an additional goal. Although South Korea had taken the lead with Hwang Hee-chan's goal in the first half, they were looking to make some changes for an extra goal. However, they instead allowed Oman to equalize with a goal in the 35th minute of the second half, leading to a draw.

There was a noticeable difference in performance between the first and second halves. As significant as Lee Kang-in's introduction to the midfield, the key change made by head coach Hong Myung-bo in the second half was the positional change of Son Heung-min. On that day, Son Heung-min ventured out as a left winger in the first half. However, Oman, sitting deep, did not give Son Heung-min a space to break through, thus suppressing him.

Until the 40th minute of the first half, South Korea had not managed a single shot on goal. After Lee Kang-in's introduction and following a sharp pass leading to Hwang Hee-chan's finish for the opener, the game overall felt frustrating. At the beginning of the second half, by substituting Oh Se-hoon for Ju Min-kyu, head coach Hong Myung-bo implemented what he believed to be a necessary change.

Head coach Hong Myung-bo positioned Son Heung-min from the left winger to a central free role. Consequently, Son Heung-min actively moved between the second and third lines, engaging in the game management. His experienced game management and passing began to amplify his influence. Literally playing in a free role, Son Heung-min's presence became pronounced.

Despite Son Heung-min's performance, South Korea failed to score an additional goal. Instead, they allowed an equalizing goal in the 35th minute of the second half, finishing with only 1 point instead of 3. It is a disappointing result at home, but one could positively assess that the national team learned another way to utilize Son Heung-min, thereby increasing its arsenal.

[OSEN]