By Pearse McLaughlin
South Korea edge past a spirited Iraq side 3-2 courtesy of goals from Oh Se-Hun, Oh Hyeon-Gyu and Lee Jae-Sung here at the Yongin Mireu Stadium here in South Korea. That now makes it two wins from two in this latest camp without the big hitters Son Heung-Min and Hwang Hee-Chan due to injury. This victory ensures South Korea sit aloft Group B with a healthy 3 point lead over their counterparts Iraq as they step up the World Cup 2026 qualification push.
Hong Myung-Bo has called up Lee Seung-Woo who earns a recall for the first time in 5 years and Moon Soon-Min to replace the injured duo Hwang Hee-Chan and Eom Ji-Sung. The KFA have confirmed that Hwang Hee-Chan has sustained a left ankle injury, while Eom Ji-Sung has suffered a left knee injury. In terms of personnel changes he has made just the two changes as in comes Bae Jun-Ho for his first start as he comes into replace the injured Hwang Hee-Chan along with Oh Se-Hun who replaces Joo Min-Kyu as the sole striker. Hong Myung-Bo has stuck with his tried and trusted 4-2-3-1 formation that saw his side run out comfortable winners last time out as they beat Jordan 2-0 away from home.
Jesus Casas has changed formation slightly from the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw his Iraq side defeat Palestine 1-0 last time out and gone with a slightly more pragmatic approach with the 4-1-4-1 formation. In terms of personnel changes Iraq has made five changes as in comes Mustafa Saadoun, Ali Faez Atiyah, Ahmed Yahya, Amjad Attwan and Lucas Shlimon to replace Hussein Ali, Zaid Tahseen, Safa Hadi, Ali Jasim and Youssef Amyn.
Breakthrough for the hosts on the 41st minute as the two new boys, Bae Jun-ho and Oh Se-Hun combine to great effect and justify their starting places. It was great initial play down the right flank by Seol Young-Woo as drove into the space brilliantly before delivering a low cross across the 18-yard-box which caused Iraq’s defence all sorts of problems. The ball found its way to the back post where Bae Jun-Ho should great composure by unselfishly picking out the unmarked Oh Se-Hun in the middle of the six-yard-box and he did the rest by sweeping the ball into the bottom right hand corner. South Korea lead 1-0.
South Korea lead by a goal to nil courtesy of Oh Se-Hun’s finish into the bottom right hand corner from close range. Other than that there haven’t been many chances of note for either side in terms of clear-cut chances in what has been a tight and cagey affair so far. South Korea have dominated the possession so far without really hurting an Iraq side who are quite happy to soak up the pressure, play for set pieces and threaten with quick transitions. The next goal in this game is crucial as South Korea will want to quickly get that second goal and put themselves in the driving seat whereas Iraq seek to get back on level terms and cause an upset. All set for an exciting second half.
South Korean fans were treated to special half time show from Korean K-Pop Idol, Jay Park as he performed a few of his top hits such as, “All I wanna do”, “Gimme A Minute”, “Smoke”, and “Mommae”. A superb performance from Jay Park and his back up dancers as he has certainly raised the roof here at the Yongin Mireu Stadium as the crowd are in party mood and excited for the second half to get underway and potentially grab all three points.
On the 50th minute, Iraq have their equalizer and what a goal it was by Ayman Hussein as he scores an acrobatic overhead kick into the bottom right hand corner. It was great initial play down the right wing by substitute, Ali Jasim who makes an immediate impact off the bench by evading a few challenges before sliding the ball down the channel for Amjad Attwan who floats an inch perfect cross into the box for Ayman Hussein who springs superbly and scores an overhead kick into the bottom right hand corner leaving Jo Hyeon-Woo with no chance. It’s all square again. Superb skill by Ayman Hussein as he makes that difficult skill look easy which it isn’t. South Korea 1 Iraq 1. Game on.
South Korea retake the lead thanks to super sub, Oh Hyeon-Gyu as he scores his second goal in as many games as he scores a typical striker goal, first time finish from the penalty spot into the bottom right hand corner. All credit has to go to Hong Myung-Bo as he two substitutes play major role in this goal as Moon Seon-Min is positive down the left flank as he drives to the byline and fires a ball across the box which is intercepted by Lee Jae-Sung is alert and knocks the ball off the defender before firing the ball across to Oh Hyeon-Gyu who slots the ball home. Superb finish by Oh Hyeon-Gyu. South Korea lead 2-1.
Massive final 15 minutes ahead as to see whether or not there will be anymore twists and turns in this enthralling encounter which has delivered us drama and quality so far.
Lee Jae-Sung has surely put this match out of sight now for South Korea as he makes it 3-1 on the 84th minute with a superb diving header. It was superb initial play down the left wing by Lee Myung-Jae as he twisted and turned Mohanad Ali inside out before delivering a cross on the money which Lee Jae-Sung attacked superbly as he nipped in a head of his marker and the back post and scores a diving header in the process. What a goal. I think South Korea and Iraq are having a goal of the game competition and I’m all for it. That’s another headed goal in as many games for Lee Jae-Sung as proving to be a talismanic figure arriving late into the box and scoring big goals for his country. South Korea lead 3-1.
Late drama here as Iraq have scored again in the 5th minute of an additional 6 minutes added on at the end of the game as FC Seoul defender, Rebin Sulaka bullets a header past Jo Hyeon-Woo. It was a superb out swinging delivery from the corner from Ali Jasim to pick out an unmarked Rebin Sulaka powers the header into the ground and its past Jo Hyeon-Woo in a flash and into the bottom left hand corner. Questions have to asked about the defending from the corner to allow a free header from the penalty spot given Sulk’s heading prowess, it’s just criminal and asking to be punished and that’s exactly what happened. Iraq pull one back as it’s now South Korea 3 Iraq 2.
Can Iraq find an unlucky equalizer in the closing seconds and complete a superb comeback?
It’s all over here at the Yongin Mireu Stadium here in South Korea as 35,198 fans witnessed a superb game of football as South Korea narrowly defeated a defiant and impressive Iraq side by three goals to two.
Next up for South Korea on Thursday the 14th of November is an away match against Kuwait where they’ll look to continue their unbeaten start to the campaign with another victory and the match itself is set for an 8pm kick off time (KST). This match is Round 5 of their World Cup Qualification AFC 3rd Round Group B campaign.
Next up for Iraq on Thursday the 14th of November is a match at home to Jordan where they’ll look to get back to winning ways as soon as possible and the match is set for an 8pm kick off time (KST). This match is Round 5 of their World Cup Qualification AFC 3rd Round Group B campaign.
South Korea: Jo Hyeon-Woo, Seol Young-Woo, Cho Yu-Min, Kim Min-Jae, Lee Myung-Jae, Park Yong-Woo (Paik Seung-Ho 85’), Hwang In-Beom, Lee Kang-In (Hong Hyun-Seok 85’), Lee Jae-Sung (Lee Seung-Woo 87’), Bae Jun-Ho (Moon Seon-Min 60’), Oh Se-Hun (Oh Hyeon-Gyu 59’). Subs not used: Kim Jun-Hong, Kim Seung-Gyu, Kim Ju-Sung, Hwang Mun-Ki, Jung Seung-Hyeon, Lee Dong-Gyeong, Joo Min-Kyu.
Iraq: Jalal Hassan, Mustafa Saadoun (Mohanad Ali 79’), Ali Faez Atiyah, Rebin Sulaka, Ahmed Yahya, Amjad Attwan (Mohamed Al-Taay 65’), Lucas Shlimon (Ali Jasim 46’), Ibrahim Bayesh, Amir Al-Ammari (Ahmed Yasin 86’), Merchas Doski, Ayman Hussein (Hussein Ali 79’). Subs not used: Fahad Talib, Hussein Hassan, Manaf Younnes, Zaid Tahseen, Safa Hadi, Amin Al-Hamawi, Youssef Amyn.
Reporter: Pearse McLaughlin
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