South Korea Draws 1-1 With Jordan In World Cup Qualifier

On March 25, 2025, the South Korean national football team took to the field at Suwon World Cup Stadium to face Jordan in what became another tense chapter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, marking the third consecutive draw for South Korea in the qualifiers, a result that raises both questions and concerns about the team's performance under head coach Hong Myung-bo.

Earlier, Hong had expressed his commitment to improving the team's performance after the disappointing draw against Oman. Speaking after the match, the coach remarked, "Today’s game ended in a draw, and we've now had three consecutive draws, which is my responsibility, and I'm sorry for that." This embodies the weight of expectation on Hong’s shoulders as he navigates the qualifiers. Under his guidance, the team now holds 4 wins and 4 draws, totaling 16 points, still maintaining the group’s leading position. However, the failure to secure a win at home left fans and officials alike with a sense of frustration.

In the match, it was Lee Jae-sung who gave the home crowd something to cheer about with an early goal in the 5th minute, connecting expertly with a corner kick delivered by team captain Son Heung-min. This marked Lee's second consecutive goal against Jordan, as he helped set a positive tone for the match. With the excitement peaking in the stadium—where cheers reached a deafening 105 decibels—the hope was palpable.

However, that hope was short-lived. Just 25 minutes later, the team conceded an equalizer after a lapse in defensive concentration. Mahmoud Al-Mardi took advantage of a misjudgment from the South Korean backline, following up on a blocked shot to find the net. Hong lamented, "The team’s set pieces and game plan started off well, but we lost momentum after scoring." This encapsulates the lingering struggle South Korea faces: holding onto leads.

Hong also reflected on the difficulty in identifying why the team has struggled more at home than away. "I had the sense that when playing at home, the players might carry more weight or pressure that affects their concentration," he said. With the looming specter of qualification for the World Cup, the stakes couldn't be higher as they prepare for upcoming matches against Iraq and Kuwait.

The game on March 25 has now solidified South Korea's trend of being unable to secure decisive wins against teams lower in rank—having also drawn against 80th-ranked Oman and 101st-ranked Palestine last year. The recent matches have led to discussions about the national team's current state, with some labeling it an "Asian paper tiger."

South Korea’s players displayed moments of brilliance, but the consistency required at this crucial stage is missing. Critically, coach Hong emphasized the need to address how the team approaches tight defenses, saying, "There are definite strategies to break through such stagnation, but they require time and execution.” Unfortunately, the necessary decisive finishes weren't forthcoming against Jordan.

As Son Heung-min, now tied for third-most appearances for the national team, pushed his teammates for more cohesion on the pitch, their performances have shown glimpses of potential. Yet, these flashes remain unfulfilled as the pressure mounts. “It’s disappointing not to win at home, and the fans deserve better results,” Hong added, underscoring the need for improvement to match expectations.

Looking forward, the stakes are high as South Korea enters the final stretch of the qualifiers. With matches against Iraq and Kuwait on the horizon, the team must rally to secure the points needed for a spot in the World Cup. As Hong and his players reflect on their recent performances, both fans and commentators will be carefully watching their next steps, hoping to witness a turnaround. Only time will tell if the South Korean national team will rise to the occasion.