Kim Min-jae (28, Bayern Munich), who has become more mature, will defend Hong Myung-bo’s “first win” without shaking.
The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Oman at 11 p.m. on the 10th (Korea time) at Sultan Qaboos Stadium in Muscat, Oman, in the second Group B match of the third Asian qualifying round for the 2026 FIFA North-China World Cup.
It is Hong Myung-bo who dreams of winning his first match. Korea failed to win the first match held at its home turf on the 5th. The opponent was Palestine, ranked 96th in FIFA, but the result was a 0-0 draw. The bad luck of Son Heung-min’s powerful shot hitting the post at the end of the second half also overlapped.
A day before the match against Oman, an official press conference was held at the Muscat City Seasons Hotel. In Korea, coach Hong Myung-bo and central defender Kim Min-jae took the microphone.
In Oman, an official press conference was held at the Muscat City Seasons Hotel one day before the match against Oman, which has to be decided in a different way. “Tomorrow’s game is an away game and there are many difficulties. However, there is nothing but victory. I will focus on winning,” Hong said.
Earlier, Coach Hong Myung-bo hinted at a change. “The changes made in the second half (against Palestine) continued to some extent. If you say you are arrogant, you have to find a way. I plan to train like that during the rest of the time,” he said. “There will be some changes. I think we need to give it.”
However, Kim Min-jae is likely to start again this time. Playing for Bayern Munich, he has been a key defender in the national team for a long time. Even when his partner changed several times, Kim Min-jae remained firmly in the position.
Kim Min-jae said, “I didn’t get the result I wanted at home. Good performance is important in away games, but the most important thing is to get results. I have to win.”
In the last match against Palestine, Kim Young-kwon played with Kim Min-jae. This time, Jung Seung-hyun or Cho Yoo-min, who are familiar with Middle Eastern weather, may be selected by Hong Myung-bo. “We don’t have much time to prepare for the national team match. It is important to match well with the players that the coach is starting with and the players who have been called up in a short period of time. I may not be able to play as a starter. No matter who I play with, it is important to communicate well with who I play,” Kim said, vowing to do well no matter who I match with.
Kim looked more determined than ever. He stirred controversy among fans after the game against Palestine. As soon as the game against Palestine was over, Kim approached the stands and asked the supporters to refrain from booing him. It was about the booing of coach Hong Myung-bo and president of the Korea Football Association, Chung Mong-gyu, even before the game.
At that time, Kim Min-jae expressed regret with a firm face and was criticized for not bending his head alone in the team’s personnel appointments. For this reason, some raised concerns that he might be shaken psychologically. If the most reliable defender fails to show his skills in a desperate situation for his first win, it will be fatal.
However, Kim went to the press conference in person and broke through head-on with a more mature interview. He said, “I have no problem with mental illness. I think I was wrong. I don’t think I was wrong at all for saying that, but I have fully thought that I was wrong for what I did after that.”
Although he pointed out that there was no problem with the message he threw, he seemed to admit his mistake in the attitude and follow-up actions that were seen in the process. The “Red Devil” also accepted Kim Min-jae’s opinion and decided not to boo him from the beginning of Oman. 메이저사이트
In response, Kim Min-jae said, “I saw an article that the fans decided not to boo. I’m so grateful,” and added, “I think what I did was wrong and I’m reflecting on it.”
Now, all Kim has to do is to lead his team win by playing defense like a monster on the field. He was bright as he played with his teammates and smiled at the training site. Having regained his smile, we hope Kim will be able to smile broadly even after the whistle is called.