South Korea's Draw Against Thailand in World Cup Qualifiers

Did you catch the recent South Korean versus Thailand?

The Thailand versus South Korea World Cup qualifying match was one I really looked forward to as a big football fan.

The national team has been my bet to win in recent times, I expected them to make us happy after series of frustrations and controversies.

Unfortunately, they drew 1-1 in the end and that left me bitterly disappointed.

The game began with Captain Son Heung-min scoring an amazing goal in the 42nd minute. It was great to see him leading the team so well.

Nevertheless, our happiness lasted not long since Suphanat Mueanta from Thailand scored after sixty minutes. It was sad how we gave up the defence before letting in a goal after being ahead of them.

And the context around the team made it even more disappointing. Just a month ago, following our defeat in the AFC Asian Cup, Jurgen Klinsmann, the head coach was sacked. The game against Jordan was a bitter pill to swallow and we felt like we hadn’t fully recovered from it yet.

But that was not all. It came out that two key players – Lee Kang-in and Captain Son Heung-min got into a fight while playing table tennis.

Iwas shocked when I learned about this and so were many other supporters. What demoralizes is that at such a critical stage of our World Cup qualifying campaign internal wrangles are affecting team morale.

I felt upset as I went through the story about what happened because they were my players too.

They are expected to be good examples on behalf of our nation filled with pride and professionalism but their actions reflect badly upon them as regards their play on field and overshadowed their performance.

Despite the disappointment, I appreciate Lee Kang-in’s effort to say sorry to Son Heung-min and the rest of his teammates. It is brave to admit that you have done wrong and carry it through.

However, I hope this experience will bring them closer because they will finally know that unity and working together in a team are more important than personal problems.

Going forward, it is important for the team to refocus and work towards their objective. The game against Thailand only provides an opportunity for revenge.

What I am sure about is that our players are talented enough hence we can expect a good performance from them when they meet in Bangkok.

In a wider sense of South Korea’s football history, this draw should remind us of how hard it can be for us on the way to the World Cup.

Despite qualifications happening often, participating in each one match counts. We need as a nation which prides itself on its footballing ability, to back our side even during times of low moments like these ones.

I am full of hope as we look forward to the forthcoming qualifiers that we are poised for the next round.

Our players will certainly be equal to the occasion because South Korea has a long football history. I trust that by working hard, never giving up and getting supported by the fans like myself, we can tackle any hurdle and triumph at international level.

However, in my opinion, this was not our last move for South Korea’s World Cup dreams despite how disappointing it was drawing with Thailand. Therefore, as fans, let us keep rallying behind our team so that they can be encouraged to win.

In unity we stand and hopefully South Korea would compete for 2026 FIFA World Cup