Hong Myung-bo and Jordan...Son Heung-min, should we fill the empty seats?

[Anchor]
The national soccer team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will play a match against Jordan in the third round of World Cup qualifiers shortly.

As national team captain and ace Son Heung-min is out due to injury, the key is how to fill the vacancy.

I'm connecting to the sports department. Reporter Yang Si-chang!

Today's game starts late at night, right?

[Reporter]
Yes, it's an away game in Jordan, so it will be held at Amman International Stadium at 11 p.m. in our time.

We have about three hours left.

It's a difficult Middle East expedition, but a big bad news broke out in Korea.

As you know, Son Heung-min, who injured his thigh, will not be able to join this call-up.

Coach Hong Myung-bo also prepared Plan B without Son Heung-min early on, but it is not an easy homework.

First of all, the captain's armband was taken over by Kim Min-jae, a key defensive player.

On the field, proven Hwang Hee-chan is likely to fill Son Heung-min's vacancy.

Lee Jae-sung and Hwang In-beom should take the center stage well and expect a "one shot" from Lee Kang-in.

Also, Oh Hyun-kyu and Bae Jun-ho, who are showing improved performance in their team, can be good cards.

The opponent is not easy.

I've fought Jordan seven times so far, with three wins, three draws and one loss.

It seems to be dominant, but the last time we won was 10 years ago.

In the last two matches, the Asian Cup has been tied and lost, and they have never won a match.

In particular, the 0-2 defeat in the semifinals was a very painful game that plunged the national soccer team into turbulence.

The player who scored at this time was Yazan Al Naimat, one of the opposing aces, and the possibility of playing increased as news broke that he had recovered his injury.

This is something to pay attention to in our national team.

[Anchor]
It's an important match for the national team because it's a World Cup qualifying round.

Director Hong Myung-bo also needs to win, right?

[Reporter]
Yes, it was officially announced on July 7 that Hong Myung-bo will take charge of the national soccer team.

It's already been more than three months.

However, criticism has continued for nearly 100 days, let alone Honeymoon.

Because of the controversy surrounding the appointment process.

As this has spread to the political circle, coach Hong Myung-bo and president of the Korea Football Association Chung Mong-kyu recently attended a questionnaire on pending issues at the National Assembly, and the national audit also mentions the national soccer team.

Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon also publicly expressed the idea that he should be re-elected as the process is wrong.

If the result of the game is not good due to the continued controversy over the appointment of the coach, it will inevitably come under stronger pressure to resign.

That's why today's game is more important.

This is YTN Yang Si-chang in the sports department.