South Korea’s captain, Son Heung-min, praised the resilience of Palestine’s soccer team following a 1-1 draw in their World Cup qualifying match held in Amman, Jordan. The game saw Palestine take an early lead after an error by South Korea’s Kim Min-jae, with Son quickly equalizing in the 16th minute. Despite South Korea’s dominance in previous qualifiers, Palestine’s disciplined performance under challenging circumstances was commendable, especially considering the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict impacting their preparations.
The match was a continuation of Palestine’s impressive resolve, having already held South Korea to a 0-0 draw in Seoul earlier in the qualifiers. Son acknowledged the adversity faced by the Palestinian players, forced to compete in neutral venues due to security concerns, and noted their preparedness as something South Korea could learn from. While disappointed by the result, he expressed hope for improved performances in upcoming games.
Despite the draw ending South Korea’s four-game winning streak, they remain atop Group B with a three-point cushion over Iraq, keeping their hopes of an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance alive. Meanwhile, Palestine sits at the bottom of the group but continues to demonstrate remarkable determination in the face of extreme challenges.
