'Interim Captain' Kim Min-jae "Trust in Coach Hong Myung-bo... Team Atmosphere is Very Good"

Hong Myung-bo Team Secures 2-0 Victory Against Jordan

Kim Min-jae (Munich), the temporary captain of the South Korean national football team, dismissed rumors that he does not trust coach Hong Myung-bo as baseless gossip.

The South Korean national football team secured a 2-0 away victory against Jordan in the third match of Group B in the third round of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Asian qualifiers, held on the 11th (Korean time) at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan. Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) scored the opening goal in the first half, followed by Oh Hyun-kyu (Henk) adding a second goal in the second half. After a 0-0 draw against Palestine in the first match and a 3-1 win over Oman in the second, South Korea achieved their second consecutive win, overtaking Jordan (4 points) to lead Group B with 7 points.

Soccer national team player Kim Min-jae. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, controversy over the fairness of Coach Hong’s appointment has escalated negative public opinion among football fans toward both Hong and the Korea Football Association. Rumors have spread among some that the players do not trust Coach Hong.

Kim Min-jae responded, "I heard there were talks about a bad atmosphere within the team, but the team atmosphere is very good. I don’t know where or why such rumors are coming from."

Goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo (Ulsan Hyundai) also drew a clear line, stating there is no 'trust issue' between the coach and the players. Jo said, "Within the team, we have great trust and belief in the coach. He is a charismatic person, so the players follow him well," adding, "I am confident we will continue to play good matches like this, so I would appreciate your continued support."

On the 10th (local time), at the Amman International Stadium in Jordan, the third match of the third round of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup Asian qualifiers between Korea and Jordan ended with Korea's 2-0 victory. After the match, coach Hong Myung-bo is encouraging captain Kim Min-jae.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jo Hyeon-woo also commented on Kim Min-jae’s role as temporary captain, saying, "It will really help our players if Min-jae continues to lead the team." Previously, the team’s official captain Son Heung-min (Tottenham) was unable to join the national team due to an injury sustained at his club, leading to Kim Min-jae taking on the temporary captaincy.

Meanwhile, after securing 3 points in the away match against Jordan, the national team will return home by chartered flight and play their fourth match against Iraq at 8 p.m. on the 15th at Yongin Mireu Stadium.