Korea Republic men’s national team defeated Thailand 3-0 as they took a step closer to reaching the third round of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
 

Lee Jaesung, Son Heungmin and Park Jinseob were on target, as the Taegeuk Warriors, led by interim coach Hwang Sunhong, claimed a comprehensive win over Thailand in their fourth Group C match staged at Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok on Tuesday. Lee opened the scoring after 19 minutes, before Son and Park put the result beyond doubt midway through the second half.
 

Korea Republic consolidated the pole position in Group C with ten points after the victory, well ahead of their rivals Singapore, China PR and Thailand in the second round. A total of 36 participating teams are divided into nine groups of four teams, with the winners and the runners-up from each group advancing to the third round of qualifying.
 

Hwang opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation: Cho Guesung started as a lone striker up front, flanked by Son Heungmin and Lee Kangin; Lee Jaesung, Paik Seungho and Hwang Inbeom in midfield; Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae and Kim Moonhwan at the back; and Jo Hyeonwoo between the posts.

The match was wide open right from the off. Thailand surged forward with Supachok Sarachat shooting just over the crossbar after two minutes. Hwang Inbeom then put Son Heungmin through on goal but the Korea Republic captain could only see his effort blocked by a defender.
 

However, the visitors drew first blood after 19 minutes, when Lee Kangin found Cho Guesung lurking into the right side of the area. Cho dragged his shot past Thai goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai, and as the ball was about to be cleared off the line by Theerathon Bunmathan, Lee Jaesung arrived just in time to roll the ball in.

The battle in midfield intensified midway through the first half. Kim Minjae glanced a header off a Lee Kangin cross following a set-piece on 31 minutes. The hosts then intercepted ball threw in by Kim Moonhwan, but Jaroensak Wonggorn could only drag his effort straight at Jo Hyeonwoo.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors piled the pressure as they sought to extend their lead on the stroke of half time, but were unable to break through the stubborn defence.
 

Hwang reinforced his midfield by bringing Park Jinseob on for Paik Seungho after the interval. Park made an impact almost immediately with a long ball to Son Heungmin, who laid the ball off to Lee Jaesung on the left. But the No10 could not connect with a shot inside the crowded area.

However, it did not take long for the visitors to double their advantage, as Son Heungmin – the man who struck first against the Thais at home last week – rose to occasion once more. Nine minutes into the second half, Lee Kangin put Son through on goal with a neat pass and the No7 broke into the left side of the box before shooting the ball in from an acute angle.
 

With the two-goal cushion in his mind, coach Hwang replaced Cho Guesung with Joo Minkyu to refresh the frontline, before Seol Youngwoo, Jeong Hoyeon and Song Minkyu came off the bench to replace Kim Moonhwan, Hwang Inbeom and Lee Kangin respectively on 74 minutes. Jeong Hoyeon made his first appearance for Korea Republic in the process.
 

Having made his international debut against Thailand at home five days earlier, Joo looked to open his account against the Changsuek. But the Ulsan marksman could not convert the crucial chance on 75 minutes, with only a defender to beat just outside the penalty area.
 

And it was Park Jinseob who broke his duck to put the result beyond doubt on 82 minutes, when Kim Jinsu delivered an inviting cross following a corner from the left. Kim Minjae headed the ball across the goalmouth and into the path of Park, who volleyed it in from close range to score his first goal in sixth outing for Korea Republic.
 

The Taegeuk Warriors kept up the pressure until the final whistle was blown, as the match ended in a 3-0 victory for the visitors.

2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Second Round

Group C

Korea Republic 3-0 Thailand

Goals: Lee Jaesung 19’, Son Heungmin 54; Park Jinseob 82’

KOR: Jo Hyeonwoo, Kim Jinsu, Kim Younggwon, Kim Minjae, Kim Moonhwan (Seol Youngwoo 74’), Hwang Inbeom (Jeong Hoyeon 74’), Paik Seungho (Park Jinseob 46’), Lee Jaesung, Lee Kangin (Song Minkyu 74’), Son Heungmin, Cho Guesung (Joo Minkyu 55’)