Offensive advantage → Attack explosion → The only goal left is goal + victory
Jun 06, 2025
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The ninth Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Iraq at Basra International Stadium on the 6th (Korea time). Despite the unilateral cheering of 65,000 spectators, Hong Myung-bo is raising hopes for the finals as he prepares to play.
Coach Hong Myung-bo threw a game-winning move to exclude Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) from the list of participants. Son Heung-min, who played as a substitute in the Europa League final and lifted the trophy, noted that he was not in his best condition due to injury. With Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia) at the forefront, Hong came up with a 4-2-3-1 formation to place Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton), Lee Jae-sung (Mainz), and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain) at the second line. Park Yong-woo (Al Ain) and Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) were placed in the midfield, and Lee Tae-seok (Pohang), Kwon Kyung-won (Korpakan), Cho Yoo-min (Sharja) and Seol Young-woo (Zvezda) were placed in the four-back position. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) defended the goal.
Iraq replaced Jesus Casas and switched to Graham Arnold. The big frame did not change in the match against Korea, which took place a month after Arnold's appointment. He attempted to gain the upper hand early in the game with forward pressure and rough play. He also omitted the build-up process and showed his focus on playing in the Korean camp with a long pass.
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However, the later was the problem. Hwang In-beom, who serves as a pass link in the midfield, rarely received the ball, leading to a frustrating overall game operation. It is also regrettable that Iraq was losing ground in the air ball competition that continued as it chose to float the ball.
Hong Myung-bo, who had been patient, had his biggest chance in the 31st minute of the first half. Hwang In-beom, who received a return pass from Lee Jae-sung in a corner kick situation, connected with a shot, while Hwang Hee-chan, who was rushing a strong pass to the gate, but missed the opportunity to score the first goal as he went out next to the goal post. The set piece also fired in the 36th minute of the first half. Lee Jae-sung headed a curved cross from the left diagonal point of the Iraqi camp, but he hit the crossbar. In the 38th minute of the first half, Lee Tae-seok's left-footed shot, which received Lee Jae-sung's pass, fell into the goalkeeper's arms. In the 48th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in's left-footed shot hit the crossbar again.
With the numerical advantage created by Al Hamadi's exit, Hong Myung-bo raised the atmosphere for a moment and caught the flow. It's a pity that the score didn't come out in the bad luck of hitting the post twice, but it's a situation that makes us look forward to the second half. Hopes are growing that if they get the first goal, they will be able to score points against Iraq and achievements in advancing to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
