Seoul: South Korea men's football head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed his desire to strengthen his team's defense as part of their strategy to advance to the next level. Hong returned to South Korea on Thursday after a 1-1 draw against Palestine in their Group B match during the third round of the Asian World Cup qualifiers in Jordan. This result followed a 3-1 victory against Kuwait the previous week in Kuwait City.According to Yonhap News Agency, the draw against Palestine ended South Korea's four-match winning streak. Despite this, the Taegeuk Warriors maintain their lead in Group B with 14 points, three points ahead of Iraq, with four matches remaining. The top two teams from the group will secure spots in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. South Korea has consistently participated in every World Cup since 1986. In the current qualifiers, they have conceded five goals in six matches, primarily against lower-ranked teams in the FIFA standings. Hong, a respected former defender in South Korea, acknowledged that his team is still improving defensively."We have to be better on defense, especially against set pieces, but I think we will need time more than anything else," Hong commented at Incheon International Airport. He noted the team's progress since the third round began in September, highlighting improved on-field communication but stressed the need for enhanced defense to compete against stronger opponents.Hong expressed satisfaction with collecting four points from two away matches but was disappointed with the stalemate against 100th-ranked Palestine. He remarked on the difficulty of penetrating their defense and emphasized the need for better preparation for future matches. The equalizing goal from Palestine resulted from a turnover by Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae, whose errant back pass was intercepted.Hong defended Kim, stating, "A mistake like that can happen any time." He expressed gratitude for Kim's contributions to the team, acknowledging his pivotal role in challenging situations and encouragi ng him to continue his strong performances for his club.Hong assumed leadership of the team in July under controversial circumstances, with criticism directed at the Korea Football Association for the lack of a thorough vetting process. Despite initial backlash, support for Hong has grown as the team achieved hard-fought victories."My focus has only been on getting this team through the World Cup qualification," Hong stated, indicating that external opinions have not distracted him. South Korea's qualifying campaign will resume in March with home matches against Oman and Jordan, followed by an away match against Iraq and a home game against Kuwait in June, concluding the third round.South Korea concluded the year with a record of 10 wins, six draws, and one loss. The next set of matches is scheduled for March 2025. Hong praised his players for managing the challenges of travel and fatigue, particularly those coming from Europe, and emphasized their understanding of teamwork and roles within the team.
- October 12, 2026
