On the evening of September 5, in the first round of the Asian qualifiers for the World Cup’s top 18, South Korea was held to a 0-0 draw by Palestine. Despite controlling the game at home in the first half, South Korea was thwarted by Palestine’s solid defense. Although several opportunities were created in the second half, due to the excellent performance of the opposing goalkeeper, the match ended 0-0, with both teams earning one point each.
In the post-match interview, Hong Myung-bum stated, “I deeply apologize for not winning the first game of the third stage qualifiers. We should have had a good start, but we didn’t.”
He further commented, “The players did their best. The first-half performance did not meet our expectations, but it improved in the second half. Although there were several scoring opportunities, we failed to capitalize on them, which is regrettable.”
He also mentioned, “Firstly, the condition of the players is crucial. Especially for European-based players who returned immediately after club matches, physical fatigue is an issue. We need to decide the lineup for the next game based on the players’ performances.”
Moreover, criticism towards the Football Association has been mounting within South Korea, particularly focused on FA President Chong Mong-gyu. During the match, fans held up banners reading “Chong Mong-gyu Resign!” and even directed harsh criticism at Hong Myung-bum.
In response, Hong Myung-bum said, “Seeing such scenes is painful. But in this situation, I fully understand the fans’ feelings. We must face the upcoming challenges with patience.”
It is worth noting that South Korea is currently ranked 23rd in FIFA, while Palestine is ranked 96th. South Korean media described this result as a “shocking draw.” In the away game against Oman on the 10th, South Korea desperately needs to secure three points.