For South Korean soccer to compete at the global level, the team needs to improve its set-piece defense.

On Thursday, the South Korean national team, led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, will face Kuwait at 11:00 p.m. (KST) at the Jaber Al Ahmed International Stadium in Kuwait City, the capital of Kuwait, in the fifth match of Group B of the FIFA Confederations Cup North America 2026 Asian Qualifiers.

South Korea currently leads the group 파워볼사이트 with 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 8 goals scored and 3 conceded).

The team was on the ropes in their first match at home against Palestine, drawing 0-0 in a tightly contested match.

However, the team rebounded with a 3-1 win away to Oman in Game 2, a 2-0 win away to Jordan in Game 3, and a 3-2 win at home against Iraq in Game 4.

Hong Myung-baek is determined to consolidate its lead with a win against Kuwait in Game 5 and Palestine in Game 6 (Sept. 19).

One of the things to watch for in Kuwait, the first game of a two-game series in the Middle East, is set-piece defense.

South Korea conceded two of their three goals in the third qualifier on set pieces.

In the second match against Oman (3-1 win), Jung Seung-hyun (Al Wasl) scored an own goal in the 47th minute off a free kick.

After conceding the equalizer, Korea struggled to break through the Omani defense for long periods of time.

If not for Son Heung-min’s (Tottenham Hotspur) goal in the 37th minute of the second half, it could have been a repeat of the Oman Shock.

In the fourth match, at home against Iraq (3-2 win), Korea conceded a goal to Ibrahim Baish from a corner in the 50th minute.

It was a cold blow to an already heated atmosphere after goals from Oh Se-hoon (Machida Zelvia), Oh Hyun-gyu (Henk), and Lee Jae-sung (Mainz).

The importance of set pieces in soccer cannot be overstated.

Even an underdog team that is outclassed individually can be a threat to a stronger team if it utilizes set pieces.

English Premier League (EPL) teams even hire set-piece coaches to prepare for them.

South Korea will need to be highly focused, as they suffered a similar fate against Oman and Iraq.

They need to be prepared to face the high quality teams they will face in the World Cup.

South Korea will be looking to complete a ‘multiple goal’ clean sheet against Kuwait.

The back four will be anchored by top defender Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich).

His partners will be Kwon Kyung-won (Korpakan), Jung Seung-hyun, and Cho Yoo-min (Sharjah).

The left fullbacks are Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), Lee Myung-jae (Ulsan HD), and Lee Tae-seok (Pohang Steelers).

The right fullbacks are Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizens) and Seol Young-woo (Tsubena Zvezda).

Finally, the goalkeeper is expected to be Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan HD), the No. 1 option.