Match Results and Key Highlights
South Korea secures 3-1 away victory against Oman
Son Heung-min dominates the attack with 1 goal and 2 assists
Head coach Hong Myung-bo achieves first official match win since taking office
[K-Journal | Reporter Kim Jun-young]
The South Korean national football team won 3-1 against Oman in the second match of Group B for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers, held at the Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman, on the 10th. The team, which struggled in a 0-0 draw against Palestine in the first match, successfully turned the tide with this victory. Korea applied strong pressure from the start, taking the lead in the 10th minute with a goal from Hwang Hee-chan. The team solidified their lead later with an own goal from the opponent and an additional strike from Son Heung-min.
Stellar performance from the attacking line
The standout player of the match was undoubtedly captain Son Heung-min. Son began his performance by providing the assist for Hwang Hee-chan’s opening goal in the 10th minute. With the score tied 1-1, he personally found the back of the net with a left-footed long-range shot in the 37th minute of the second half. He then assisted Joo Min-kyu’s clincher in stoppage time, recording three attacking points. Coach Hong Myung-bo attempted bold tactical changes to wash away the disappointment of the first match, and the players responded well, showing stability on both offense and defense.
Match Progression
First half: Opening goal and equalizer
Korea started the match by taking control of the flow. In the 10th minute, Son Heung-min passed the ball from the center of the penalty box, which Hwang Hee-chan connected with a powerful right-footed shot to break through Oman’s defense. However, in the first half stoppage time, an own goal by Jung Seung-hyun during an Omani free-kick situation leveled the score at 1-1. Coach Hong Myung-bo demanded greater concentration from the players after halftime and reorganized the defensive line. In the second half, Korea effectively blocked Oman's counterattacks while seeking further scoring opportunities.
Second half: Turning point and clincher
In the 37th minute of the second half, it was Son Heung-min’s boot that broke the stalemate. After exchanging passes with Lee Kang-in outside the penalty area, Son fired a precise left-footed shot to give Korea a 2-1 lead. Oman launched an all-out offensive to equalize, but the Korean defense remained firm. In the 11th minute of second-half stoppage time, Joo Min-kyu calmly converted a pass from Son to finalize the score at 3-1. This victory is particularly meaningful as it was achieved despite the pressure of an away match.
Future Outlook and Significance
The journey to the World Cup finals
With this win, the South Korean national team has secured an advantageous position in the Group B rankings. As the third round of the Asian Qualifiers grants direct tickets to the finals to the top two teams in each group, this victory against Oman is expected to be a major boost for the upcoming schedule. In his post-match interview, coach Hong Myung-bo praised the players' fighting spirit and expressed his determination to further strengthen the team's organization for the remaining qualifying matches. The team is scheduled to face Jordan and Iraq in the third and fourth rounds this coming October.
Tactical tasks and areas for improvement
Despite the victory, stabilizing the defense remains a task to be addressed. Defensive gaps, such as vulnerability during set-piece situations and difficulties in dealing with the opponent's quick counterattacks, require further improvement. However, the organic movement of the attack led by Son Heung-min and the improving form of key players like Lee Kang-in and Hwang Hee-chan are positive signs. K-Journal plans to continue in-depth coverage of the national team's progress toward the World Cup finals.