[News Now] "There was no ridicule"...Hong Myung-bo's 3rd consecutive win, World Cup cruise 'green light'

Photo Source: Yonhap News

■ Host: Anchor Jeong Ji-woong
■ Starring: Choi Dong-ho Sports Critic

* The text below may differ from the actual broadcast content, so please check the broadcast for more accurate information. Please specify [YTN NewsNOW] when quoting.

[Anchor]
Ask a professional about a hot issue.

It's an issue call.

As Hong Myung-bo defeated Iraq, which was the most difficult enemy, the green light was turned on for Korea to advance to the World Cup finals for the 11th consecutive time.

Yesterday evening at Mir Stadium in Yongin, he maintained his lead in the group, winning the 2026 North-China World Cup, the fourth Group B match in Asia's third qualifying round, and the match against Iraq 3-2.

While the main European players were eliminated due to injuries, Oh Hyun-kyu's left foot and Lee Jae-sung's header, which scored in the match against Jordan, won a thrilling victory following Oh Se-hoon's debut goal.

Ace Lee Kang-in shook the opponent's defense despite intensive checks, and Lee Seung-woo, who returned to the A-match for the first time in five years and four months, also caught the eye.

Some analysts say that the generational change has been successful amid the evaluation that young strikers such as Oh Hyun-kyu and Bae Jun-ho filled the gap well in the absence of captain Son Heung-min.

Coach Hong said in an interview after the game, "When asked how it felt when the booing was gone, he answered, "I don't know why."

It's been a while since I showed a smiley face.

Let's talk to sports critic Choi Dong-ho about the Iraq match yesterday.

The critic is here, right?

[Choi Dongho]
Hello.

[Anchor]
After Oman and Jordan, Iraq won three consecutive games to rank No. 1 in the group. What do you think is your chance of advancing to the finals?

[Choi Dongho]
The possibility is very high. Because the 3rd round of preliminary round is divided into 3 groups of 6 teams each. The first and second-place teams in each group will go straight to the World Cup finals. Our national team won the match against Iraq yesterday and kept the top spot.

It's three points away from second place Iraq. Looking at the rest of the game schedule in the future, it is expected to easily advance to the World Cup finals in North and Central America because the group's No. 1 ranking seems likely.

[Anchor]
Although he scored the first goal, Iraq scored a chase goal in the second half, and the counterattack was strong.

How did you see the game process and the scoring situation?

[Choi Dongho]
First of all, Oh Se-hoon, Oh Hyun-kyu, and Lee Jae-sung scored goals in yesterday's game, but it is important that the players who should score scored goals scored. It's also noticeable that we scored with our intended offensive route. Of course, midfielders and defenders can also score goals, but if strikers whose basic mission is to score goals do not score goals, the game will basically not be solved. I think it's worth noting that Oh Se-hoon, Oh Hyun-kyu, who played as a front-line striker, and Lee Jae-sung, a second-line central attack player, scored goals. The other is Bae Joon-ho, who played as a left-side striker, who was replaced by Moon Sun-min in the second half. All three goals started with crosses or passes by breaking through the sides, which is also important. It means that the attack was solved as the national team intended. However, it is a pity that there was a lot of open space in the back because Iraq put pressure on the front, but there was no goal by the kill pass targeting the back space. There were additional runs in defense just before the end. In both runs, we had a lot of defenders. The fact that he lost a point despite the large number of defenders means that he missed a person. Missing someone means there's a problem with your defensive organization. It seems that it will take a little more time to build up defensive organization.

[Anchor]
Son Heung-min was out due to an injury. A lot of young players were also recruited. Do you think the selection and placement of the replacement players was appropriate?

[Choi Dongho]
In the case of Bae Joon-ho, it can be said to be a new discovery beyond the evaluation that it is appropriate. Moreover, Bae Jun-ho has a completely different style from Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan. Considering that Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan are the style of digging into open spaces on the side based on speed, Bae Joon-ho is similar to Lee Kang-in. Based on ball keeping ability, he showed this ability to penetrate the opponent's defense and break through. Therefore, from Hong Myung-bo's point of view, Bae Joon-ho's appearance has given him more diverse attack options. Given that Oh Se-hoon and Oh Hyun-kyu's goals were also the goal-determining power of the striker on the front line, the national team's offense has become quite sharp. [Anchor] Critic, there was no booing in this game. The atmosphere of the audience seems to have changed. Will Hong be able to bring about a reversal of public opinion regarding the controversy over the appointment of the coach as he goes on to play?

[Choi Dongho]
I think I can bring it. I think criticism of coach Hong Myung-bo and the national team could be reduced, but there is a point to distinguish. So, the incompetence of the Korea Football Association and the problem of the national team are separate. Neither those who insisted on Hong Myung-bo's resignation nor those who supported Hong Myung-bo on the contrary have fully expressed their support for the national team's propaganda. This is because there is a concern that the national team's propaganda will lead to immunity or evasion of the Korea Football Association. On the contrary, since the timing of the coach change has already been missed, the controversy over the coach change will inevitably subside as time passes and the national team does well. Since national team propaganda is the ability of players or coach Hong Myung-bo, I would like to emphasize that national team propaganda and the incompetence of the Korea Football Association are separate issues.

[Anchor]
Lastly, this was a little disappointing in this match, or is there anything you need to supplement ahead of the away match in Kuwait?

[Choi Dongho]
The most regrettable thing was the set piece. I had a few set piece opportunities yesterday. But I never saved him. On the contrary, our last-minute loss also gave up a goal with just one header shot from a corner kick. There are many players who are strong at the height of our national team, including Kim Min-jae, and have good kicks. Therefore, it is necessary to use them to increase the scoring ability of set pieces. In defense, Seol Young-woo is settling down as a right fullback and Cho Yoo-min as a center back, but if you look at the loss process yesterday, you need to take more time to organize. It was also seen in defense.

[Anchor]
I hope Son Heung-min and other injured players will recover quickly and join. Let's stop here. Iraq War, with critic Choi Dong-ho. Thank you.

[Choi Dongho]
Thank you.