The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hwang Sun-hong, took the lead with captain Son Heung-min's first goal in the third Group C match of the second Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-Central America World Cup at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 21st, but allowed Thai striker Supanat Mueanta to score an equalizer in the second half, drawing 1-1.

There have been several changes in the starting list. Joo Min-kyu, who was first selected as a member of the national team, was selected as the front line, while Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young, who won the gold medal at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games along with Hwang Sun-hong, participated. Baek Seung-ho started instead of Lee Kang-in, who is tired because he joined Park Yong-woo, who was not called up this time, and Jung Woo-young joined Hwang Hee-chan, who was not called up due to injury.

While Joo Min-kyu's performance was consistent, there was a small question mark on the performance of Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young and the two Asian Games members.

Baek, who guarded the waist with Hwang, was in charge of protecting the defense line from a lower position than Hwang and deploying the ball from the rear. However, Baek could not easily release Thailand's pressure, and he often made pass mistakes. If Hwang and Lee Jae-sung did not accept Baek's pass, more mistakes could have been made.

Jung's performance also left some regrets. Jung tried to break through the opponent team's defense line by linking with Seol and Hwang In-beom on the side, but Korea's attack on the right side was not threatening. It was hard to expect from Jung that he would break through one-on-one encounters that can be seen from Hwang Hee-chan and Lee Kang-in. When Son scored the first goal in the 41st minute, he allowed Hwang a forward pass by breaking through the left side.

Nevertheless, it was clear why Hwang started the two players. Hwang, who took the helm of the national team as an interim coach, did not have much time to prepare for the two consecutive games against Thailand. It seems that Hwang tried to hire Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young, who knew his style well while sticking to the existing members, rather than adding new colors to his own.

Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young were the main players of Hwang Sun-hong at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.

Baek led the team as the captain and pillar of Hwang's team, while Jung was active in the front and spearheaded Hwang's attack. Jung was also the top scorer.

However, there was a definite difference between the Asian Games national team and the A national team. Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young were actually given the same task as they did at the Asian Games against Thailand, but they were disappointed when compared to their performances at the Asian Games.

This could pose a dilemma for Hwang, who is preparing for the fourth match in an away match in Thailand. It is difficult to make an easy choice as players who know them well.

For now, Jung Woo-young can be replaced by Lee Kang-in, who entered as a second-half substitute in this home game against Thailand. However, Baek Seung-ho has no suitable alternative.

The performance of Baek Seung-ho and Jung Woo-young, who are regrettable, and the burden of having to win three points on the road due to the draw in the third game are sufficient factors to affect the starting list for the fourth game. 

Aside from Lee Kang-in, the core of the existing national team, Song Min-gyu, Jung Ho-yeon, and Park Jin-seop are among the members of the Asian Games who failed to play in the home game against Thailand. There are many expectations for Song Min-gyu, who was not selected often, Park Jin-seop, who has not been properly used since his selection, as well as Jeong Ho-yeon, who was selected for the first time.

However, due to the contents and results of the third game, it is expected that Hwang will not be able to confidently present the three players.

BY: 사설토토