Golden talent Lee Kang-in is determined to prepare for better results in the future
Jun 10, 2025
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South Korea's national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, won the final Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 North-China World Cup against Kuwait 4-0 at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 10th.
Lee Kang-in, who started the day and played full-time, was selected as the most valuable player, the POTM, after the game. Lee Kang-in played a very good role as an offensive midfielder. In the sixth minute of the second half, when the team was leading 1-0, he received a pass from Bae Joon-ho and scored a net goal. As a result, Lee Kang-in accumulated attack points for three consecutive A matches. He assisted Hwang Hee-chan's first goal at home against Oman on 20 March. In an away match in Iraq on the 6th, he helped Kim Jin-kyu score the first goal. On this day, he even scored a goal. (Lee Kang-in was called off on March 25 at home against Jordan due to injury.)
The 'Hong Myung-bo' won 4-0 thanks to Lee Kang-in's performance. Korea (6 wins and 4 draws) completed 'unbeaten' in the final match of the third qualifying round in front of 41,911 people. This marks Korea's third unbeaten finish in the final qualifying round. In addition, South Korea remained the only team 'unbeaten' out of 18 Asian countries to participate in the series. In addition, South Korea finished the final qualifying round first for the fourth time ever. South Korea previously ranked first in the final qualifying round for the 1990 Italy, 1998 France, and 2010 South Africa.
After the game, Lee Kang-in said in a broadcast interview, `I am grateful to the players and coaching staff for playing together, living together, and sharing the 3rd World Cup qualifying round. Thank you so much for your support. We will continue to prepare for better teams and good results. We ask for more support and interest in the future."
Meanwhile, South Korea dominated the opponent from the beginning of the game. Jeon Jin-woo's first goal in the 30th minute broke the balance of '0'. Lee Kang-in scored six minutes into the second half and Oh Hyun-kyu scored one after another three minutes. South Korea ended the victory by tying Lee Jae-sung's last score in the 27th minute of the second half.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
