Hong Myung-bo's team failed to secure a victory once again. After an unfortunate draw with Jordan, they had to settle for adding just 1 point for the third consecutive match.

The national football team of South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, drew 1-1 with Jordan in their 8th match of Group B in the third round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifiers held at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the afternoon of the 25th.

As a result, South Korea recorded draws in all three matches since the game against Palestine last November, as well as the match against Oman on the 20th and the match against Jordan on this day. In particular, they left deep regret after failing to win both matches played at home.

Now South Korea is precariously maintaining first place in the group with 16 points (4 wins, 4 draws). The gap with second-place Jordan (13 points) and Iraq, which has played one less match (12 points), is not large. There is a good chance that this could change depending on the results of the June A matches.

The team was determined to win both matches at home to secure their qualification for the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time, but that hope faded. Maintaining an unbeaten record and barely holding onto the top spot is some consolation.

Needing a victory, coach Hong Myung-bo took a gamble. Captain Son Heung-min was positioned at the front of the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, and Lee Dong-kyung comprising the second line. Park Yong-woo and Hwang In-beom supported from the back, while Lee Tae-seok, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yu-min, and Seol Young-woo formed the defense. Jo Hyun-woo guarded the goal.

Jordan faced off with a 3-4-3 formation. Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Yazaan Al-Naimat, and Mousa Al-Tamari, Mohanad Abu Taha, Nizar Al-Rashidan, Amer Jamus, and Ihsan Haddad, Mohamed Abu Al-Nadi, Yazaan Al-Arab, Abdallah Nasib, and Yazid Abu Railah made up the starting lineup.

A welcome opening goal came early in the match. The hero was Lee Jae-sung. In the 5th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min delivered a sharp corner kick from the left, which was finished off with a left-footed shot by the rushing Lee Jae-sung. Lee Jae-sung once again scored the opening goal against Jordan, following last October's away match.

South Korea threatened Jordan's defense with high pressing and active movements. Hwang In-beom's long pass, returning from injury, and Hwang Hee-chan's solo run on the left side were also impressive. In the 12th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min sent another sharp corner kick. Cho Yu-min connected with it via a header, but it went just over the goalpost.

Jordan retaliated. In the 13th minute of the first half, Al-Naimat broke through the defense with a dribble on both feet and entered the box, targeting the goal with a right-footed curled shot. Fortunately, the shot went wide to the right.

Jordan equalized. In the 30th minute of the first half, Park Yong-woo lost the ball in midfield, handing over a counterattack opportunity. Al-Naimat broke through the center, and Al-Tamari fired a threatening left-footed shot. The first shot was saved by Jo Hyun-woo, but the ball rebounded and Al-Mardi netted with a turning shot. The ball deflected off a defender, making it impossible for Jo Hyun-woo to intervene.

It was a scene that overlapped with a defeat from a year ago. South Korea was blocked by Jordan in the quarterfinals of the 2023 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar last February. At that time, Park Yong-woo's mistake also became the cause of conceding a goal, resulting in a 0-2 defeat.

South Korea missed a good opportunity. In the 37th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min delivered a forward pass to Hwang Hee-chan, who was penetrating behind the defense. Hwang Hee-chan attempted a chip shot but was stopped by the advancing goalkeeper. In the subsequent corner kick, Hwang In-beom connected the second ball with a shot, but it soared high. The first half ended at 1-1.

Coach Hong Myung-bo utilized a substitution card at the start of the second half. He called off Lee Dong-kyung and brought in Yang Min-hyuk to change up the offense. At 18 years and 343 days old, Yang Min-hyuk made his A-match debut, placing him 12th in the all-time youngest appearance record.

The tense momentum continued. Both teams put a lot of weight on their attacks to take the lead, but no decisive moments transpired. South Korea utilized another substitution card in the 68th minute, replacing Hwang Hee-chan with Yang Hyun-jun.

South Korea swallowed their disappointment. In the 27th minute of the second half, Seol Young-woo completely broke down the defense with a cross from the right side of the box. Lee Jae-sung rushed in to header but misdirected it, causing the ball to drift wide.

Coach Hong Myung-bo showed his desire for 3 points by increasing the number of attackers. In the 79th minute of the second half, Hwang In-beom felt discomfort and collapsed, leading to a substitution with forward Oh Se-hoon. Son Heung-min moved to the left, and Lee Jae-sung was assigned to the midfield in place of Hwang In-beom.

South Korea failed to capitalize on a golden opportunity. In the 82nd minute of the second half, Seol Young-woo delivered another precise cross from the right. Yang Hyun-jun rushed in and connected well with his head, but Jordan's goalkeeper dove to clear it.

Five minutes of stoppage time were granted. South Korea called Son Heung-min off in the stoppage time and substituted in striker Oh Hyun-kyu, desperately seeking a goal until the end, but they could not realize their aim. In the end, South Korea had to be satisfied with sharing 1 point each with Jordan. Overall, they played a better match than Jordan but were hindered by one mistake.

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