Head coach Hong Myung-bo of the Korean national football team looks pensive during a training session at Al Seeb Stadium in Seeb, Oman, Sept. 7, ahead of an upcoming World Cup qualifier match Sept. 10. Yonhap

Thursday was a dark day for Korea's national team in more ways than one. The only positive aspect of events in Seoul was that they could have been worse.

The 0-0 draw against Palestine in the opening game of the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualification on Thursday should have been a win, but it could have ended in a defeat. Late in the game, goalkeeper Jo Hyun-woo had to make a vital save to save his team.

That stopped a defeat. Australia lost 1-0 at home to Bahrain, while China was thrashed 7-0 by Japan. A goalless draw was not expected and certainly not appreciated. Korea is gunning for an 11th successive World Cup appearance. Palestine has never even reached this stage of qualification before.

OK, lots of chances were missed. Son Heung-min hit the post, Lee Kang-in really should have scored from close range, Hwang Hee-chan had his chances and the Palestinian goalkeeper made a number of good saves. Overall, though it wasn't impressive. On paper, Palestine is the weakest team in the six-team group and while the visitor was well-organized, it should not have provided too much trouble for the Taeguk Warriors in Seoul.

If the result was not bad enough, there was the all-round negativity around the team. This was the first game in coach Hong Myong-bo's second spell in charge. Many fans are unhappy with Chung Mong-gyu, the president of the Korea Football Association (KFA) for his hiring of Jurgen Klinsmann in 2023 and then the search for his replacement earlier this year. Hong was poached from K-League champion Ulsan HD in July to annoy fans further.

Hong was roundly jeered before and during the game. For a legend of Korean soccer, who played over 100 times for the national team and was captain of the team that reached the semi-final of the 2002 World Cup, it was a strange experience and not a pleasant one. He admitted after the game that it was not easy. "I understand where the fans come from," Hong said. "This is something I will have to endure going forward."

Going forward, something needs to change. The one positive about Thursday's match was that it was only the first Group B game out of 10 in the third round of qualification. There are nine left. Korea needs to finish in the top two of the six-team group to automatically progress to the World Cup. Third or fourth place means more games.

At the moment, there is no need to panic. But there is a need to lift the level of performance and the atmosphere surrounding the team. A game in Oman on Tuesday is next. On paper, it is a tougher game than Palestine at home –and there is a long journey– but, now, it is one that coach Hong and his players could do with winning.

"So, we still have some tasks to figure out," Son said after the game. "Of course, it's painful, but we must not feel disheartened. We've only played one match, and we have nine more games left, each offering a chance to perform at our best, so we need to prepare well for those matches."