South Korea’s Son Heung-min and Kim Min-jae head to the supporters’ box after the South Korean national football team’s 1-1 draw with Palestine. (Yonhap)
SEOUL & AMMAN, Jordan, Nov. 19 (Korea Bizwire) – South Korea’s football captain Son Heung-min praised the resilience of the Palestinian national team following a tense 1-1 draw in a World Cup qualifier held under the shadow of ongoing conflict.
The match, part of the third round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, took place on November 19 at Amman International Stadium, relocated from Palestine due to the war between Hamas and Israel. Before kickoff, both teams observed a moment of silence for the victims of the violence.
South Korea, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, conceded an early goal in the 12th minute after a defensive misstep by Kim Min-jae of Bayern Munich. But Son swiftly leveled the score just four minutes later, notching his 51st international goal. This milestone moved him to second place on South Korea’s all-time scoring list, surpassing Hwang Sun-hong.
Despite Son’s heroics, the South Korean side struggled to break through Palestine’s disciplined defense, settling for a draw. Speaking after the match, Son lauded the Palestinian players for their determination.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the equaliser. (Yonhap)
“Today’s match was not easy,” Son said in a post-game interview. “I want to applaud the Palestinian team for their effort. Watching them play so hard despite their difficult circumstances taught us something important.”
Son, named Player of the Match, reflected on his team’s performance, acknowledging their mistakes while praising their quick recovery after conceding. “We made the game harder for ourselves,” he said. “But I’m proud of how we responded with the equalizer soon after.”
The draw marked the final international match of the year for both teams. For Palestine, the game was a testament to their resolve in challenging times. For South Korea, it underscored areas for growth ahead of next year’s competitions, including the Asian Cup.
Son expressed gratitude to his teammates and South Korean fans for their support throughout a challenging year. “As captain, I want to thank the players for their hard work,” he said. “We faced many ups and downs, but I hope next year brings happiness to our fans and becomes a special year for the team.”
Reflecting on his personal milestones, including surpassing the 50-goal mark, Son remained focused on the team. “The records don’t matter,” he said. “What’s important is contributing to the team and playing in a way that helps us succeed.”
With their sights set on continued improvement, the South Korean squad will look to capitalize on lessons from this year as they prepare for the challenges ahead in 2024.
South Korea’s Son Heung-min celebrates after scoring the equaliser. (Yonhap)
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
