This time, a mistake caught up with them. The team led by Hong Myung-bo allowed Jordan to equalize after failing to protect Lee Jae-sung's (33, Mainz) opening goal.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, is facing Jordan in the 8th match of Group B of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying round at Suwon World Cup Stadium at 8 p.m. on the 25th.

South Korea drew 1-1 against Oman on the 20th. They failed to protect Hwang Hee-chan's opening goal at the end of the first half. South Korea added only 1 point at home and currently holds 15 points (4 wins, 3 draws), maintaining a precarious first place in the group, just 3 points ahead of second-place Jordan and third-place Iraq (both at 12 points).

The national team aimed to secure an early qualification for its 11th consecutive World Cup in this home stand, but the draw against Oman dashed those hopes. There is now a possibility of losing the top spot to Jordan or Iraq. If South Korea loses to Jordan on this day, the rankings could flip.

Moreover, a negative injury update occurred. Kim Min-jae could not join due to an Achilles injury, and Jung Seung-hyun injured his calf during training. Additionally, Baek Seung-ho and Lee Kang-in both collapsed during the Oman match. As a result, Jung Seung-hyun, Baek Seung-ho, and Lee Kang-in have all been released from the squad and will not participate in the match against Jordan.

Knowing that a victory is essential, coach Hong Myung-bo made bold moves. Captain Son Heung-min was placed at the front of the 4-2-3-1 formation, with Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung, and Lee Dong-kyung in the second line. Park Yong-woo and Hwang In-beom provided support behind, while Lee Tae-seok, Kwon Kyung-won, Jo Yu-min, and Seol Young-woo formed the defense. Jo Hyun-woo guarded the goal.

Jordan faced South Korea with a 3-4-3 formation. Mahmoud Al-Mardi, Yazan Al-Naimat, and Mousa Al-Tamari, Mohanad Abu-Taha, Nizar Al-Rashdan, Amer Jamous, Ehsan Haddad, Mohamed Abu Al-Nadi, Yazan Al-Arab, Abdullah Nasif, and Yazid Abu Ra'ila made up the starting lineup.

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

South Korea threatened Jordan's defense with forward pressure and active movement. Hwang In-beom's long pass, coming back from an injury, and Hwang Hee-chan's individual breakthrough from the left side stood out. In the 12th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min delivered another sharp corner kick. Jo Yu-min connected with it for a header, but it just went over the goalpost.

Jordan countered. In the 13th minute of the first half, Al-Naimat dribbled through the defense from both feet and entered the box, taking aim at the goal with a right-footed 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, giving up a counterattack opportunity. Al-Naimat broke through the center, and Al-Tamari took a threatening left-footed shot. Jo Hyun-woo managed to block the first shot, but Al-Mardi followed up with a turning shot to shake the net. The shot deflected off a defender, rendering Jo Hyun-woo unable to respond.

It was a scene that overlapped with a defeat 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 led to a conceded goal, resulting in a 0-2 loss. South Korea needs to write a different ending this time.

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