The national team’s continued success was possible thanks to the sons of Ulsan, the ‘unsung heroes’… As many as 8 players from
(Sportal Korea = Jordan (Amman)) Reporter Bae Woong-gi = At the center of the national team’s success was the ‘Sons of Ulsan’.
The Korean national team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, will play a neutral match against Palestine in the 6th match of Group B of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asia 3rd qualifier at the Amman International Stadium in Amman, Jordan at 11 p.m. (Korean time) on the 19th.
Currently, the national team is firmly in the lead with 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw). The gap with 2nd place Jordan (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 8 points) is 5 points. 3rd place Iraq (2 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 8 points), 4th place Oman (1 win, 3 draws, 1 loss, 6 points), 5th place Kuwait (3 draws, 2 losses, 3 points), 6th place Palestine (2 draws, 3 points) Losses and points 2) follow.
The national team started off unstable for the first time since coach Hong Myung-bo took office last July, but has since won Oman (3-1 win), Jordan (2-0 win), Iraq (3-2 win), and Kuwait (3-1 win). By defeating them one after another, they crossed the 7th division mark to advance to the 11th consecutive World Cup.
Coach Hong Myung-bo and other players are determined to start 2024 by winning the game against Palestine.
As usual, expectations are high on the Ulsan HD players, who achieved the feat of winning three consecutive games in K-League 1 this season.
Coach Hong Myung-bo showed confidence by selecting three Ulsan players (Cho Hyun-woo, Lee Myung-jae, and Joo Min-gyu) when announcing the A-match convocation list in November. In particular, Cho Hyun-woo (33, 38 international matches) and Lee Myung-jae (31, 6 games) have solidified their starting positions after their rivals Kim Seung-gyu (Al Shabab) and Kim Jin-soo (Jeonbuk Hyundai) left the lineup due to injuries or other reasons.
It is said that flowers that bloom late are more beautiful. Ju Min-gyu (34, 7 games, 2 goals), who achieved his dream of being selected for the first time in the national team this year, is quickly melting into the team and showing off his skills as a veteran. Oh Hyeon-gyu (KRC Genk) also gave a thumbs up, saying, “I learned a lot from Min-gyu.”
Not only that. Although they are not currently part of Ulsan, Seol Young-woo (25, FK Crvena Zvezda), Jeong Seung-hyeon (30, Al Wasl), Hong Hyun-seok (25, 1. FSV Mainz 05), and Oh Se-hoon (25, Machida Zelbia) played in the past. In the case of Lee Ki-hyuk (27, Gangwon FC), he is from the youth team.
It is no exaggeration to say that it is the birthplace of soccer development in Korea. In fact, Ulsan is leaving a notable mark in every international competition, including Kim Young-kwon’s remarkable contribution to advancing to the round of 16 for the first time in 12 years at the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. The emergence of Lee Myung-jae and Seol Young-woo provided a ray of light for the national team, which was struggling with fullback resources.
Above all, coach Hong Myung-bo has led Ulsan for about three years starting in 2021 and has a clear understanding of the players’ strengths and weaknesses. This is why we are even more excited for Ulsan’s sons to shine in the 2026 World Cup following the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo = Korea Professional Football League, Korea Football Association
