Strikers Holding Back Shots... Bento's Team Draws 0-0 with Iraq in World Cup Final Qualifier Opener

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Our national soccer team failed to secure a refreshing victory in the first step of the Asian final qualifiers for the Qatar World Cup.

Led by coach Paulo Bento, the team drew 0-0 with Iraq in the first match of Group A in the 2022 Qatar World Cup Asian final qualifiers at Seoul World Cup Stadium on the 2nd, showing frustrating offensive power. As a result, South Korea only earned 1 point at home, making a victory in the second match against Lebanon desperately needed.

Coach Bento deployed a stable 4-2-3-1 formation. Hwang Ui-jo stood at the front, with Son Heung-min, Lee Jae-sung, and Song Min-kyu on the second line. Just behind them, Hwang In-beom and Son Jun-ho coordinated in the third line. The defensive line consisted of Hong Chul, Kim Young-gwon, Kim Min-jae, and Kim Moon-hwan. Kim Seung-gyu was in goal.

Considering Son Heung-min's attacking ability, the left line was pushed up a bit more. Son Heung-min effectively played on the same line as Hwang Ui-jo, and Hong Chul advanced into the midfield zone. Lee Jae-sung dropped back to help with build-up play.

Iraq dropped back to defend solidly and aimed for counterattacks. In the 4th minute of the first half, our team had the first shot. Hwang In-beom attempted a mid-range shot with his right foot while falling, but the ball did not connect properly and flew high.

In the 23rd minute of the first half, Son Heung-min broke through the center and fell inside the penalty box, but the referee did not call a penalty kick. In the 25th minute, during a corner kick situation, a header shot was blocked by the defense, and Lee Jae-sung shot in front of the goal but the ball went over the crossbar. In the 29th minute, Hwang In-beom took a right-footed free kick shot, but it was straight to the goalkeeper.

In the second half, the team withdrew Son Jun-ho and brought in Nam Tae-hee to strengthen the attack. They reduced one midfield resource and increased the number of second-line attackers.

With no significant results, the team substituted Kim Moon-hwan and Song Min-kyu for Lee Yong and Hwang Hee-chan as a change card. The team tried to create chances by moving and passing toward spaces on the left and right, but failed to create clear opportunities. Son Heung-min and others were extremely conservative with their shots. In the 23rd minute of the second half, Hwang In-beom connected a mid-range shot from a ball that flowed backward, but it was high. One minute later, the team made another change by substituting Lee Jae-sung with Kwon Chang-hoon.

In the 26th minute of the second half, Hwang Hee-chan made a decisive header shot but was blocked by the goalkeeper. He headed a cross from Hong Chul on the left, but the direction was not good. Afterwards, the team tried to tighten the offensive reins but ultimately failed to open Iraq’s goal.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.