South Korea Draws With Oman, Misses Early World Cup Qualification

The South Korean national football team faced a disheartening reality after drawing 1-1 against Oman, ranked 80th by FIFA, during their home game at Goyang Stadium on March 21, 2025. The result dashed their hopes of securing an early qualification for the upcoming World Cup, which was within reach had they succeeded against Oman and their next opponent, Jordan.

In a match where expectations were high, South Korea's opening goal came at the 41st minute, courtesy of Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton). This crucial strike followed a sharp through-ball from fellow team member Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), putting South Korea in a favorable position as they led 1-0 at halftime. However, the second half saw a dramatic turn of events as Oman's Ali al-Busaidi scored the equalizer in the 80th minute, catching South Korea off-guard and denying them a crucial victory.

Despite maintaining the lead in Group B with four wins and three draws, the draw leaves South Korea with 15 points, postponing their qualification confirmation until the next international match window in June, where they are set to face Iraq and Kuwait. Coach Hong Myung-bo expressed disappointment post-match, stating, "We were hoping to secure our qualification today, but it didn't go as planned." His expectations were further complicated by the absence of two key players, Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Hwang In-beom (Fenerbahce), both sidelined due to injuries.

South Korea struggled to find their rhythm early in the match, failing to register a single shot on goal until deep into the first half. The team's lack of aggression was concerning and was underscored by an incident just before halftime, where Hwang Hee-chan's skillful play finally broke the deadlock, allowing him to score in a one-on-one situation with the Omani goalkeeper.

However, the second half proved to be a struggle for South Korea as they maintained pressure but failed to convert opportunities into goals. Hwang Hee-chan, who had been a key player up until then, later fell victim to a tackle that left him injured just prior to al-Busaidi’s equalizing goal. Following the match, Hwang noted, "It was a tough match, but we did our best under the circumstances," reflecting the mixed emotions felt within the team.

Interestingly, the match's circumstances were intensified by the fact that Oman's players had been observing Ramadan, resulting in their dietary adjustments leading up to the game. Reports indicate that, unusually, the players consumed normal meals on the day of the match, a deviation from their fasting routine. This was a challenge Oman's players had to adapt to amidst the conditions in Korea.

As South Korea contemplates its next steps, another Asian powerhouse secured their position in the World Cup. On the same day, Japan played impressively at home, defeating Bahrain 2-0, and clinching their spot in the tournament with a stellar record of six wins and one draw, totaling 19 points. Japan is now the first team to confirm their qualification for the World Cup aside from the host nations of the tournament: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The contrast between South Korea’s expectations and Japan's success emphasizes the significant challenges faced in competitive football. For now, South Korea must regroup and prepare for their crucial upcoming matches against Iraq and Kuwait on June 5 and 10. Looking ahead, the prospect of injury management will also play a pivotal role in their performance and potential World Cup qualification.

As South Korea navigates this critical juncture, they hope to overcome recent disappointments, come back stronger, and pursue their goal of competing on the world stage once again.