Depleted South Korea Faces Crucial Showdown Against Jordan in World Cup Qualifier
South Korea finds itself at a critical juncture in the Asian World Cup qualifiers, with a tough challenge ahead against Jordan. Just days ago, the team was in a comfortable position to secure an early ticket to the 2026 World Cup. However, after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Oman, they now risk losing their top spot in Group B if they falter in their upcoming match.
Injuries have severely depleted South Korea’s squad. Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in is out with a left ankle injury, sustained during the Oman match. He had initially come on as a substitute for Paik Seung-ho, who himself was forced off with a hamstring injury. Adding to Korea’s woes, Bayern Munich center-back Kim Min-jae has been sidelined with Achilles tendinitis, and Jung Seung-hyun was ruled out after suffering a calf injury. As a result, head coach Hong Myung-bo made the difficult decision to drop Lee, Paik, and Jung from the squad without naming replacements.
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The absence of key players, especially Lee Kang-in, is a major blow. His ability to change the game with a single pass was evident in the match against Oman, where he assisted Hwang Hee-chan’s goal shortly after coming on. Without Lee, Korea struggled to create chances, managing no shots on target in the first 30 minutes.
Currently leading Group B with 15 points, South Korea faces a strong Jordanian side that sits just three points behind. Jordan, ranked 64th in the world, gained momentum with a 3-1 victory over Palestine. The goal difference between the two teams is tight, with Korea at +7 and Jordan at +6. If Jordan wins on Tuesday, they will leapfrog Korea to claim the top spot.
Captain Son Heung-min has admitted his disappointment in his own performance against Oman and recognizes the need to step up. With the squad stretched thin, younger players like Yang Hyun-jun, Bae Jun-ho, and Yang Min-hyeok may need to take on bigger roles. The last time Korea faced Jordan, they managed a 2-0 victory despite missing key players. However, Jordan was also missing important contributors in that match. This time, their top winger Mousa Al-Tamari is back in form, having scored against Palestine.
A win against Jordan would restore Korea’s control over their World Cup qualifying campaign. But with so many key players out, the pressure is on the remaining squad members to deliver. Fans will be watching closely as Korea fights to maintain its standing at the top of Group B.
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