One other busy yr attracts to a detailed for South Korea’s nationwide crew, and as soon as once more, there are as many questions as solutions. Few followers would have been stunned again in January to listen to that the Taeguk Warriors would qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Equally few eyebrows would have been raised if advised that critical doubts would linger in regards to the crew’s true stage.
It sounds odd to say after two wins in 5 days in mid-November, together with a 2-0 victory over Bolivia in Daejeon on Friday, adopted by a 1-0 win over Ghana in Seoul on Tuesday. Wins are at all times welcome, particularly when no objectives are conceded, nevertheless it nonetheless looks like one thing is lacking.
Supporters appear to sense it. Seoul World Cup Stadium was half-empty for the sport towards Ghana, and attendance at their match towards Paraguay final month was even decrease. The crew lacks spark and path.
Lee Kang-in of Paris Saint-Germain is the inventive heartbeat, and rightly so; the 24-year-old is a uncommon expertise. Son Heung-min stays the main attacker, as he has been for years on the highest stage. However exterior of those two, there may be little to encourage confidence.
Ghanaian media strengthened that lack of conviction in Korea’s efficiency. Ghana was lacking a number of key gamers and much from house on a cold November night. Having crushed Korea 3-2 on the 2022 World Cup, there’s loads of motive to consider that the Black Stars might win once more if the perimeters meet subsequent summer season.
The draw for the 2026 event takes place in the US early subsequent month, making the journey to the World Cup really feel very actual. The following set of friendlies, possible in March when all gamers can be found, will partly depend upon June’s grouping.
Enhancements are clearly wanted within the months forward. Coach Hong Myong-bo was as soon as seen as Korea’s nice managerial hope, main the crew to early success earlier than his ill-fated tenure on the 2014 World Cup derailed his repute. His return final yr was controversial, and up to date video games have performed little to vindicate him.
Hong will lead the crew on the World Cup, however the empty seats in Seoul inform their very own story of dissatisfaction. His remarks after the Ghana match sounded extra like these of a defeated coach. “General, the match didn’t go the best way we needed, particularly within the first half. I believe we had some issues with our play in midfield,” he stated.
There’s nonetheless time to repair these points — however not a lot.
