The Korean national soccer team is attempting to regain the Asian Cup title for the first time in 64 years.

The KFA, the Korean Football Association, drew 2-2 with Jordan in the second match of Group E of the Qatar Asian Cup.

As the South Korean national soccer team was held to a ‘tough draw’ by Jordan, foreign media outlets worldwide also noted it.

The news of Korea's draw against Jordan even became a hot topic in Japan.

Japanese soccer also suffered a shocking 1-2 loss against Iraq in the second group match on the 19th.

Football media Soccer Digest said, “The day after Japan’s game against Iraq, another historic upset was on the verge of happening,” adding, “Jordan gave up the lead in the second half, but prevented the goal with fighting concentration.”

However, due to an own goal in extra time, they were unable to achieve their first-ever victory against Korea and ended up drawing 2-2.

Jordan was a team that lost 1-6 to Japan just before the Asian Cup, and at the time, there was a lot of distrust in the national team’s defense within Jordan.

However, the Jordan coach’s analysis was that they could take a good look at their defensive problems through an evaluation match against Japan.

An analysis shows that Koreans’ poor management skills and lack of individual skills to overcome rough man-to-man defense almost led to their first defeat against Jordan.

​​Goalkeeper Aburailah, Al Ajalin, Al Arab, Nasib, Al Mardi, Ayed, Al Rashidan, Hadid, Olwan, Al Tamari, and Al Naimat make up Jordan's starting lineup.

Goalkeeper Cho Hyun-woo will lead South Korea's starting lineup, which also includes Hwang In-beom, Lee Kang-in, Son Heung-min, Cho Kyu-sung, Kim Min-jae, Lee Ki-je, Park Yong-woo, and Seol Young-woo.

Hee-chan Hwang, Jin-soo Kim, and Seung-gyu Kim—all injured—were left off the list.

Yet, Kim Jin-soo and Hwang Hee-chan were there for the Korea against Malaysia football match.

Cho Hyun-woo will take over for Kim Seung-gyu, who was injured and had to leave.

Coach Klinsmann dominated the game until the 25th minute of the first half but then could not respond appropriately to Jordan's strong forward pressure and side attacks.

The team scored 1-2 until the extra time in the second half, but midfielder Hwang In-beom made a goal and could barely draw.

Previously, in the 9th minute of the first half, Hwang In-beom's sharp pass led to Son Heung-min's penalty kick, giving Korea the first goal.

Korea put in extra effort because victory opposed to Jordan guaranteed their way to the round of 16.

Son Heung-min stated that there were many situations where the Korean players conceded goals due to their own mistakes rather than encouragement, and he thinks many people said that these areas need improvement.

Korea ranked second in the group due to a draw with Jordan and behind on goal difference, played its final group match against Malaysia, led by coach Kim Pang-gon, on the 25th.

Minseo Kwon

Grade 11

Seoul Scholars International School