“Didn’t you draw to avoid Japan?” Egyptian journalist suspects ‘Korea draw’

The South Korean national soccer team, led by head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, drew 2-2 against Jordan in the second Group E match of the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Qatar Asian Cup at Altumama Stadium in Doha, Qatar on the 20th (Korea time).

As a result, Korea was ranked second in the group with four points (1 win, 1 draw, and loss +2). Jordan, like Korea, remained atop with four points (loss +4). The winner of Group E will be determined in the third and final match. Korea will face Malaysia and Jordan will face Bahrain.

It was a difficult draw. Korea dominated the game with Son’s penalty kick in the ninth minute, but allowed the game to flow afterwards. Then, Park Yong-woo’s own header in the 38th minute allowed the game to be tied. In addition, the team even conceded a come-from-behind goal to Yazan Al-Naimat just before the end of the first half. 스포츠토토사이트

After halftime, South Korea sought an equalizer and cleared its ranks, but it hardly came to fruition. However, as a result of its attack without giving up until the end, Hwang In-beom’s shot in extra time in the second half led to an own goal against the opponent, resulting in a draw.

The Korean team lacked precision in offense and struggled in terms of side defense. Jordan scored four goals in the first round, but the team was positive that it drove in the second half and tied the game.

Of course, the Korean reporters were not in a good mood either. Disappointed by Klinsman’s appearance, he expressed regret.

However, foreign media had a different view. “Aren’t you satisfied with the game being tied? I was able to avoid Japan in the round of 16 strongest teams,” Ali Ismael, a reporter from “365 Scores Egypt,” said at the Mix Zone. He also joked, “Where is Sonny?”

If South Korea confirmed its top spot in the group on the same day, it was highly likely that it would meet Japan in the round of 16. However, there were many cases where South Korea moved up to second place in the group as it drew with Jordan. No matter how much Japan is faltering after losing to Iraq, the Korea-Japan match is bound to be burdensome. For South Korea, too, it is not welcome to have a quick confrontation with Japan.

Ali pointed this out. Even Ali said, “Korea showed really good performance in the match against Bahrain. But today was very different. I didn’t even follow my luck. Today, Korea didn’t seem to want to win. Did you aim for it?” and doubted that this was the strategy for No. 2 in the group.

Bon and Ali were acquainted. While covering the UAE and Palestine match, he sat next to each other and talked. Back then, he said, “I loved Asian soccer so much that I came here to watch the Asian Cup, not the African Cup of Nations,” praising Korea as the No. 1 favorite.

Ali’s thoughts have not changed since the match against Jordan. “If Korea meets Japan in the round of 16 strongest teams, it will be able to win. Korea did very well in the first round. On the other hand, Japan struggled not only in Iraq but also in Vietnam. Korea is still a favorite,” he gave a thumbs-up.