The coach of the South Korean national team wants to prepare young players for success ahead of the crucial World Cup qualifier

Hong Myung-bo, the Korean men's national soccer coach, speaks at a news conference on the eve of a World Cup qualifying match against Iraq at the Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi province, Oct. 14. Yonhap

As Korea prepares for its crucial World Cup qualifying home game against Iraq this week, head coach Hong Myung-bo said on Monday he would try to find the right roles for his players, especially a rising young star.

Korea, number 23 in the world, hosts 55th-ranked Iraq on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, about 40 kilometers south of Seoul.

It is the fourth game for both teams in Group B in the third round of the Asian World Cup qualification. Korea are top of the group with seven points from two wins and a draw. Iraq also has seven points, but trails Korea in goal difference with +4 to +2.

Despite playing without their long-time captain and talisman Son Heung-min, Korea defeated Jordan 2-0 in Amman last Thursday. Midfielder Lee Jae-sung and striker Oh Hyeon-gyu each scored a goal.

Midfielder Bae Jun-ho set up Oh's goal and threatened to score in an impressive performance off the bench in the second half. Bae, one of Stoke City's top players in England's second division, could make his first international appearance on Tuesday at the age of 21.

“Bae Jun-ho is improving rapidly,” Hong said at his pre-match press conference. “For both his club and the national team, he loves playing deep in the attacking zone and he is good at that. My job as head coach is to find the right roles for the players that suit them best. I've thought about it for a long time and it's hard, how do you put them in the best position to be successful.”

This list also includes Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Lee Kang-in, a talented playmaker who will take on more attacking duties in the absence of Son. In the game against Jordan he attracted several defenders and against Iraq it will probably be the same.

“This is nothing new. We just have to find ways to help him,” Hong said. “I’m not worried about his abilities. I have to find the best ways to get the most out of his talent.”

Korean defender Kim Min-jae (right) speaks at a press conference on the eve of a World Cup qualifying match against Iraq at the Yongin Mireu Stadium in Yongin, Gyeonggi province, Oct. 14. Yonhap

Iraq has yet to concede a goal in the third round and Hong said it will be important for Korea to score early.

“I think our confidence as a group has grown after the Jordan game and in many ways we are a much better team now than we were in September,” Hong said. “I think we did well against Jordan both with and without the ball. But since we're facing a different team this time, we don't know how the game will turn out. We have been working on alternative plans in case we encounter any problems.

Kim Min-jae, Korea's temporary captain in Son's absence, said he was encouraged to see young players line up against Jordan.

“These guys always work hard and try to play with confidence,” Kim said. “Maybe they feel a little uncomfortable around older teammates, and I think it's important for them to feel comfortable.”

Both Hong and Kim said they were wary of Iraq striker Aymen Hussein, who has scored 29 goals in 78 international appearances.

Hong said he would try to prevent Hussein from getting the ball in the first place. Kim, who faced Hussein a few times, said the striker could pose a threat in the air.

“He is a relentless player and we have to make sure we win the dogfights against him,” Kim said. “We have to be careful with crosses from both sides and play it hard when we have to.” (Yonhap)