In the midst of a chain of departures of key players, Hong Myung-bo's team is facing a crucial match.

The South Korea national football team will clash against Jordan in the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian regional final qualifying round, Group B Match 8, at Suwon World Cup Stadium on the 25th at 8 p.m.

Currently leading Group B (15 points, 4 wins, 3 draws, goal difference +7), South Korea drew 1-1 in their home match against Oman in the last match, missing an early qualification opportunity. In contrast to Japan, which secured its place in the finals on the same day, South Korea is now only 3 points ahead of Jordan (12 points, goal difference +6), facing threats to maintain its first-place standing with just a 1 goal difference.

The greatest crisis, above all, is the departure of key resources in the midfield and defense.

In the recent match against Oman, Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) was substituted during the game due to an ankle injury, and although he demonstrated sharp passing by assisting Hwang Hee-chan's goal just 3 minutes before being substituted, he was injured while defending in the 35th minute of the second half. Until his substitution, the team was blocked in the transition from defense to offense with not a single shot.

Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City), who also departed, has a hamstring injury, and Jeong Seung-hyun (Al Wasl) has a calf injury, both of whom have been released from the squad. Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) is also absent from this A-match calling. The national team's 'central axis' that connects offense and defense has essentially been lost all at once.

Hong Myung-bo noted, "In a situation where many players who can stabilize the buildup process are absent, it is difficult to maintain the usual flow." He emphasized, "The movements in the Chonbang must improve for the consolidation from the back to proceed more naturally."

In this situation, the role of 'field commander' Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) has become even more important. While he is expected to be able to play after recovering from injury, he is not in 100% condition, and with his club's restrictions on playing time, full-time participation cannot be guaranteed.

If Hwang In-beom cannot perform effectively, there is essentially no central coordinating midfielder that Hong can rely on. Lee Dong-kyung (Kimcheon), Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City), and Won Doo-jae (Korpakkan) all have styles leaning either toward offense or defense. Various tactical alternatives, such as combinations of Park Yong-woo, Lee Jae-sung, and Won Doo-jae, are being discussed, but it remains uncertain whether the national team, without the Lee Kang-in-Baek Seung-ho line, can demonstrate stable midfield control.

Jordan, the opponent, is riding a wave of momentum after defeating Palestine 3-1 in their last match. The counterattack led by sharp forwards Moussa Al-Tamari (Stade Rennais) and Yazan Al-Naimat (Al Arabi) is a threat. South Korea won 2-0 away in October, but with Al-Tamari absent due to injury then, the dynamic of this matchup could be different.

Captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham) will be required to display greater leadership in this match. Although he was somewhat underwhelming in the Oman match, he stated before the game, "My condition is at its peak," but received criticism for mistakes and frequent ball possession losses during the game. He expressed regret, saying, "I’m sorry to the team," but now, without Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min must play a key role in both attacking development and decisiveness.

Meanwhile, the Korea Football Association is preparing various on-site events to boost the enthusiasm of fans, including a card section event led by the Red Devils, a halftime performance by the group 'Norazo,' and the 'KFA Playground' fan experience zone. Suwon World Cup Stadium is fully sold out, with 41,000 seats.

This match against Jordan is more than just a qualifying game; it is a watershed moment for an 11th consecutive finals appearance and a true test of leadership for Hong Myung-bo's team amid crisis. Whether they can find a way to fill the void in the midfield through injury setbacks, and how Son Heung-min, Hwang In-beom, and the remaining 25 members of the national team will address this challenge, is the key point of this match.

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