YONGIN: South Korea secured a thrilling 3-2 victory against Iraq in their Group B match of the third round in the Asian World Cup qualifying tournament, held at Yongin Mireu Stadium. Despite the absence of the country’s top Premier League players due to injuries, the younger members of the team stepped up, showcasing their prowess and securing crucial points for their nation.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the match unfolded in front of an enthusiastic crowd of nearly 35,200 spectators. South Korea’s young striker Oh Se-hun, aged 25, opened the scoring with his first international goal, assisted by 21-year-old winger Bae Jun-ho. The momentum continued with Oh Hyeon-gyu, 23, who replaced Oh Se-hun in the second half and scored, marking his second consecutive goal in as many matches. The veteran of the team, 32-year-old Lee Jae-sung, contributed significantly by setting up one of the goals and scoring another through a diving header.
Despite their youth, players like Bae Jun-ho have risen to the occasion, f
illing the void left by injured players such as Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan, key attackers for Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively. Bae, who had previously been awarded top player honors at Stoke City, continued to impress with his skillful playmaking and ability to navigate through dense defenses.
The match not only highlighted the depth of talent within the South Korean squad but also underscored the potential of its younger players. Veterans like Lee Jae-sung expressed optimism about the future, emphasizing the importance of nurturing these emerging talents for the continued success of the national team.