No commas. The clock is ticking for Hong Myung-bo, who has signaled a generational change.
As soon as the two A-Match tournaments ended in October, Hong Myung-bo, the national team’s head coach, didn’t take a break and traveled to Europe and the Middle East with coach Kim Dong-jin on the 17th. They traveled to Europe to check on Lee Young-joon (21-Grasshopper), a 1.92-meter “killer,” and to the Middle East to check on Won Doo-jae (27-Corpacan). Hong Myung Bo-bo declared his “my way” despite all the “headwinds” and proved it with his performance. South Korea defeated Jordan and Iraq 2-0 and 3-2 away and at home, respectively, on Oct. 10 and 15 (KST). With three consecutive wins, starting with a 3-1 victory over Oman last month, Hong Myung-bok leads Group B of Asia’s third qualifying round for the 2026 North American Championship with 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw).
They are one step closer to qualifying for their 11th consecutive World Cup, but there is no room to pop the champagne. Hong’s plan is to prepare for both the Asian qualifiers and the North and Central American World Cup. The campaign continues. South Korea will play Kuwait and Palestine away from home in November for the fifth and sixth rounds. Hong has picked up Bae Jun-ho (21-Stoke City) and Oh Hyun-gyu (23-Henk) through the A-Match this month. Bae and Oh have each scored an assist and a goal in two consecutive games. The 2000s-born duo, along with Lee Kang-in (23-Paris Saint-Germain), have emerged as the new hope for Korean soccer. Oh Se-hoon (25-Machida) also repaid the faith with a goal on his A-match debut.
Hong has a second and third ”Eunpi” in his head.
A trip to Europe had already been planned, 메이저사이트 but he was called to appear before the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee last month and had to give up his trip. He can’t put it off any longer. “There are about 30 players in Europe, not including those who are always in the national team, and they are future resources. “For the players who are playing, we don’t have to do anything special. “For the ones who are playing, we don’t need to do anything special, but we need to meet with the ones who are not playing or who are having difficulties, to raise their morale and help them to do well. These are the players who will lead our team in the next few years. We need to reduce their difficulties,” he said.
Lee moved to Switzerland in the summer transfer window. He made an early impact. He opened the scoring in his debut and has two goals and one assist. Hong considered giving him a call-up in the October A match, but decided to wait. Lee will face FC Zurich at home on Oct. 20. If he impresses in front of Hong, he could earn his first A team call-up next month.
Won Doo-jae is a former protégé of Hong’s at Ulsan HD, where he was recognized as the “next Ki Sung-yong” for his excellent ball distribution and game management. Won Doo-jae, who moved to Korpakan last month, could add depth to the defensive midfield anchored by Park Yong-woo (31, Al Ain). Hong also plans to review center back Kwon Kyung-won, who also plays with Korpakan. Kwon was called up for the A-Match last month but missed the call-up due to injury.
