In a gripping encounter at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan, Korea’s impressive run in the Asian World Cup qualifiers hit a snag as they were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Palestine on Tuesday. The match not only ended Korea’s four-game winning streak but also proved to be a test of resilience for the squad.

Captain Son Heung-min, who showcased his undeniable talent, equalized for the 22nd-ranked Koreans just four minutes after Palestine had taken the lead, marking his 51st international goal and propelling him up the all-time scoring charts for Korea.

The Korean side had initially fallen behind to a shocking misstep from their usually reliable defender, Kim Min-jae, who undercooked a back pass, allowing Palestine’s Zeid Qunbar to intercept the ball and slip it past goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo in the 12th minute.

However, Son quickly responded to the setback in the 16th minute with a well-placed shot, following a seamless exchange of passes involving Lee Myung-jae and Lee Jae-sung. Despite dominating possession throughout the match, Korea struggled to convert their chances, leaving them frustrated as the game drifted on.

Initially acting as the home side, Palestine played at a neutral venue amid the ongoing regional tensions, bringing added intrigue to this tightly contested clash. As the match progressed, Korea continued to press for a winning goal, but their attempts were thwarted by a packed defense, highlighted by a crucial stop from Palestinian goalkeeper Rami Hamada on a free kick by Son.

With Korea maintaining their lead in Group B with 14 points—secured from four victories and two draws, a six-point cushion above both Iraq and Jordan—the team remains in a strong position as they head into 2024. After a goalless draw against Palestine in their prior match back in September, this encounter showcased the growing competitive spirit of their opponents.

Korea’s head coach, Hong Myung-bo, retained the same starting eleven that triumphed over Kuwait 3-1 last week. The team’s defensive line of Lee Myung-jae, Seol Young-woo, Kim Min-jae, and Cho Yu-min proved to be consistent, while Hwang In-beom and Park Yong-woo controlled proceedings in midfield.

As the match wore on, Korea made tactical changes to inject fresh energy into their attack, introducing forward Oh Hyeon-gyu and winger Bae Jun-ho. However, despite heightened urgency and determination, the Korean squad found it difficult to break down an increasingly resolute Palestinian side.

Late in the match, Son thought he had netted a second goal only for it to be ruled out for offside, illustrating both the fine margins and the frustrations of the game. Korea’s next World Cup qualifying encounters will resume in March with consecutive home fixtures against Oman and Jordan. Read more:

This campaign in the third round is set to conclude in June with away and home matches against Iraq and Kuwait respectively. With the stakes higher than ever—the top two teams from each of the three groups securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup—Korea will be eager to find their scoring touch again and reclaim momentum in their quest for a place on football’s grandest stage.

Korea, a consistent World Cup participant since 1986, has taken another step towards solidifying their presence in international football, but they will need to channel their frustrations from this draw into resolve for their upcoming challenges.