Introduction

Just two months ago, South Korea found themselves in a challenging position after a disappointing goalless draw against underdog Palestine during the third round of Asian qualifications for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match, held at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on September 5, was met with frustration from fans, with many expressing their dissatisfaction over the controversial appointment of head coach Hong Myung-bo. Notably, defender Kim Min-jae even had a heated exchange with supporters who criticized the team's performance, expressing disappointment over what he perceived as a lack of support for the national squad.

Current Situation

Fast forward to today, and the situation has markedly improved for the Taeguk Warriors. Following an impressive 3-1 victory against Kuwait, South Korea, currently ranked 22nd in the world, is poised to extend their winning streak to five games as they take on Palestine, ranked 100th, on Tuesday in Amman. Although Palestine will be playing at home, the match is set to take place at Amman International Stadium due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has forced them to utilize neutral sites for their games. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time, equating to 11 p.m. in Korea.

Standings and Goals

Korea is currently leading Group B with 13 points after four matches, including a commanding 2-0 win over Jordan at the same venue on October 10. The top two teams from each of the three groups in this qualifying round will earn a ticket to the World Cup, while those finishing in third and fourth positions will move on to the fourth round. With a five-point cushion over rivals Jordan and Iraq and five matches yet to play, Korea is looking to solidify their position toward qualification.

Palestine's Struggles

In stark contrast, Palestine has struggled throughout the qualifiers, remaining winless with two draws and three losses. Meanwhile, coach Hong Myung-bo has improved his standing among critics by steering the team to several convincing wins and harnessing young talent. A government investigation into the hiring process of Hong by the Korea Football Association (KFA) exonerated him of any wrongdoing, allowing him to concentrate on his World Cup aspirations.

Son Heung-min's Record

Star player Son Heung-min made headlines recently by scoring his 50th international goal, equaling former striker Hwang Sun-hong for second on South Korea's all-time scoring list, just eight goals behind the legendary Cha Bum-kun. With 130 caps to his name, Son is also closing in on the record of 136 held by both Cha and Hong.

Final Thoughts and Player Contributions

As 2024 approaches, this pivotal match against Palestine will mark Korea's final game of the year, and Son has made it clear that he wishes to conclude the year on a high note. "A lot of people must have been worried when we didn't get off to a good start in this round. Hopefully, we'll be able to put on a good performance in ideal conditions and win our last match of the year," Son remarked after the win against Kuwait.

In addition to Son, emerging talents like striker Oh Se-hun, who has scored in consecutive matches, and midfielder Bae Jun-ho, who has contributed a goal and two assists in his last three games, indicate a promising future for the national team. With Hong’s commitment to managing Son’s playing time carefully as he returns from injury, the K-League stars might just keep the momentum going, ensuring that South Korea's offensive capabilities remain robust even with Son’s limited involvement.

Looking Ahead

As all eyes turn to the upcoming match against Palestine, fans are eager to see if the Taeguk Warriors can secure a fifth straight victory and continue their journey towards World Cup qualification.