Korea Republic men’s national team shared the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate with Thailand.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors, led by interim coach Hwang Sunhong, drew 1-1 with Thailand in their third Group C match in the second round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers. In front of a sell-out crowd at Seoul World Cup Stadium, captain Son Heungmin put his side ahead on 42 minutes, before the visitors restored parity on the hour mark.
 

Despite the disappointing result, the hosts remained on top of Group C with seven points from three games. Korea Republic are pitted against Singapore, China PR and Thailand in Group C of the second round of qualifying for the world finals. A total of 36 participating teams are divided into nine groups of four teams, with top two teams from each group advancing to the third round contested by 18 countries.
 

Hwang opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation: Joo Minkyu made his first international appearance as a centre forward, flanked by Son Heungmin and Jeong Wooyeong; Lee Jaesung, Paik Seungho and Hwang Inbeom started in midfield; Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Seol Youngwoo at the back; and Jo Hyeonwoo between the sticks.


 

The game unfolded in unexpected fashion, with the visitors keeping the hosts at bay with a series of counterattacks. After nine minutes, Supachai Chaided intercepted the ball from Paik Seungho before unleashing a powerful effort that Jo Hyeonwoo managed to parry away. The hosts responded eight minutes later with Lee Jaesung’s shot following a set-piece but to no avail.
 

Korea Republic then had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock on 19 minutes. Hwang Inbeom’s audacious shot from the edge of the area was denied by Patiwat Khammai, and the loose ball fell into the path of an onrushing Joo Minkyu. However, the debutant could only miscue his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat.
 

The men in red surged forward after seizing complete control of the game, although they still struggled to translate their dominance into advantage, with Son Heungmin’s free-kick swerving wide of the right post on the half-hour mark.


 

The deadlock was finally broken on 42 minutes, when Lee Jaesung broke into the left side of the area before laying the ball over to Son, who lurked into the centre to make it 1-0 with a clinical finish.
 

However, the lead did not last long as the visitors fought back after the interval. Shortly after the hour mark, Look Mickelson dragged his effort across the goalmouth where substitute Suphanat Mueanta was left with a simple task of tapping the ball in from close range.
 

Hwang responded by reshuffling his side midway through the second half, with Hong Hyunseok and Lee Kangin coming off the bench to replace Joo Minkyu and Jeong Wooyeong respectively. Son moved up front with the switch, as Hong and Lee worked in tandem as playmakers.
 

Moments later, Son latched onto a low cross from Kim Jinsu on the left, but the latter had been adjudged to be offside when receiving the ball from behind.
 

Korea Republic put more firepower up front with the introduction of Cho Guesung, as they launched waves of attack in the closing minutes: Lee Kangin’s point-blank effort following Son’s cross was denied by the goalkeeper before Paik Seungho dragged his shot just wide of the right post, as the match ended in a 1-1 draw.
 

Meanwhile, Joo Minkyu became the oldest Korea Republic debutant at the age of 33 years and 343 days, with his Ulsan HD teammate Lee Myungjae coming off the bench to become the seventh oldest man on the list (30 years and 138 days).
 

2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Second Round

Group C

Korea Republic 1-1 Thailand

Goals: Son Heungmin 42; Suphanat Mueanta 61’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo, Kim Jinsu (Lee Myungjae 73’), Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae, Seol Youngwoo, Hwang Inbeom, Paik Seungho, Lee Jaesung (Cho Guesung 73’), Jeong Wooyeong (Lee Kangin 62’), Son Heungmin, Joo Minkyu (Hong Hyunseok 62’)