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| Hwang Hee-chan scored the first goal and shared his joy in the third round of the Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Oman at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Goyang = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.03.20/ |
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| A match between South Korea and Oman in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Hwang Hee-chan is cheering after scoring the first goal. Goyang = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.20/ |
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| Lee Kang-in is being deployed instead of Baek Seung-ho in the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Oman at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Goyang = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.03.20/ |
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It was exactly what I expected.
Oman, ranked 80th in the FIFA rankings, avoided a head-to-head match. I held the back door firmly with a 5-4-1 formation. It was not easy for the Taegeuk Warriors to break through the net defense. Oman's strong pressure also weighed on its steps.
The first shot came out only in the 41st minute of the first half. The first shot led to a goal. South Korea finished with a 1-0 lead in the first half in the seventh Group B match of the 2026 North-China World Cup Asia 3rd qualifying round against Oman at Goyang Stadium on the 20th.
The choice was bold. A national team coach Hong Myung-bo excluded Hwang In-beom, who just recovered from his injury, from the entry. Coach Hong said on the 19th, a day before the showdown, `Hwang In-beom communicated smoothly with the team, the player himself, and the national team. I played 45 minutes last weekend. There's a little injury, so I'll watch it." Coach Hong ran with Hwang In-beom and checked his condition intensively. Hwang In-beom's calf muscle condition is not yet complete. He also suffered an additional bruise on his foot in the match against Tvente just before joining the team.
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| Lee Kang-in and Yang Min-hyuk waiting for the start of the game in the third qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup between South Korea and Oman at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Goyang= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.03.20/ |
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| A match between South Korea and Oman in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Hwang Hee-chan is cheering after scoring the first goal. Goyang = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.20/ |
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Lee Kang-in started on the bench. This is the first time Lee Kang-in has been excluded from the starting list since head coach Hong took the helm. Kwon Kyung-won took over while Kim Min-jae failed to convene due to left Achilles tendinitis.
Hong operated the 4-2-3-1 system. With Joo Min-kyu in the one-top, Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung and Hwang Hee-chan stood at the second line. Park Yong-woo and Baek Seung-ho were paired with defensive midfielders. Lee Tae-seok, Kwon Kyung-won, Cho Yoo-min, and Seol Young-woo were located in Fourback. Cho Hyun-woo defended the goal.
Due to the nature of the national team, there is not much time to breathe. Ahead of the match against Oman on the 19th, the team conducted a full-length training session for only one day. There was already a lack of space and the hands and feet did not fit properly.
In the 12th minute of the first half, Son Heung-min snatched the ball from Oman's midfield camp and continued to Seol Young-woo's cross, but the opponent's defender cleared it first. In the 14th minute of the first half, Hwang Hee-chan was also caught in the opponent's defense.
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| A match between South Korea and Oman in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Hwang Hee-chan is cheering after scoring the first goal. Goyang = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.20/ |
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| A match between South Korea and Oman in the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North Korea and the U.S. at Goyang Stadium on the 20th. Hwang Hee-chan is cheering after scoring the first goal. Goyang = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.20/ |
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After 30 minutes in the first half, the frequency of attacks by Taegeuk Warriors increased. However, there were variables in the 35th minute of the first half. Baek Seung-ho, who filled Hwang In-beom's vacancy, collapsed. Lee Kang-in was rushed in the 38th minute of the first half.
Oman's first shot came out in a chaotic atmosphere. Hong Myung-bo had a position change. As Hwang Hee-chan moved to the left, Son Heung-min moved to the center. Lee Jae-sung was placed on the right wing.
The goal was finally scored in the 41st minute of the first half. Lee Kang-in untied the knot. Lee Kang-in's through pass broke the Oman defense line, and Hwang Hee-chan penetrated and scored with his left foot. Lee Kang-in also assisted Son Heung-min's winning goal in an away match in Oman in September last year, leading his team to a 3-1 victory. Lee Kang-in played a very good role as a "killer" by accumulating two consecutive offensive points against Oman. Just before the end of the first half, Son Heung-min tried to score an additional goal with a free kick, but was blocked by the goalkeeper.
There are 45 minutes left in the second half. If Hong defeats Oman, he will cross the ninth ridge of his 11th consecutive World Cup finals.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
