Hong Myung-bo and Jordan...Son Heung-min, should we fill the empty seats?

[Anchor]
The national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play a match against Jordan in the third round of the World Cup tonight.

As national team captain and ace Son Heung-min is out due to injury, the key is how to fill the vacancy.

I'm connecting to the sports department.

Reporter Youngsoo Kim!

Today's game starts late at night, right?

[Reporter]
Yes, it's an away game in Jordan, so it will be held at Amman International Stadium at 11 p.m. in our time.

It's a difficult Middle East expedition, but a big bad news broke out in Korea.

As you know, Son Heung-min, who suffered a thigh injury, will not be able to join this call-up.

Coach Hong Myung-bo also mentioned Plan B without Son Heung-min early on and prepared for it, but it is not an easy homework.

First of all, the captain's armband was taken over by Kim Min-jae, a key defensive player.

On the field, proven Hwang Hee-chan is likely to fill Son Heung-min's vacancy.

Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom have to take the center stage well and expect a "one shot" from Lee Kang-in.

Also, Oh Hyun-kyu and Bae Jun-ho, who are showing improved performance in their team, can be good cards.

The opponent is not easy.

I've fought Jordan seven times so far, with three wins, three draws and one loss.

But the last time we won was 10 years ago.

In the last two matches, the Asian Cup, which was a very important one, I haven't won one.

In particular, the 0-2 defeat in the semifinals was a very painful game that plunged the national soccer team into turbulence.

The player who scored at this time was Yazan Al Naimat, one of the opposing aces, who recovered from his injury and is more likely to play.

I think our national team should pay attention to it.

[Anchor]
It's an important match for the national team because it's a World Cup qualifying round,
Director Hong Myung-bo
is also in desperate need of victory, right?

[Reporter]
Yes, it is.

It was officially announced on July 7 that Hong Myung-bo will take charge of the national soccer team.

It's already been more than three months,

But criticism has continued for nearly 100 days, let alone Honeymoon.

Because of the controversy surrounding the appointment process.

As this spread to the political circle, director Hong Myung-bo and chairman Chung Mong-gyu recently attended a questionnaire on pending issues in the National Assembly.The national audit also mentions the national soccer team.

Minister Yoo In-chon also publicly expressed the idea that he should be re-elected as the process is wrong.

Even if the Korea Football Association or head coach Hong Myung-bo does not acknowledge the results of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's audit that the appointment process is wrong, it will be difficult to avoid criticism that will follow if the game results are not good.

That's why today's game is more important.

If Hong Myung-bo, who is being tested in every game, shows helplessness today, pressure to resign is expected to increase.

I'm YTN Youngsoo Kim in the sports department.