[Sports Round-up] New KBO season begins with record opening weekend attendances

Time now to take a look at what's been happening in the world of sports.

Joining us in the studio is our sports editor Paul Neat.

Hello, Paul.

Hello.

Let's begin with baseball.

The new KBO season got underway over the weekend.

Yes, and it began with all five opening-day games on Saturday being sellouts.

A total of 109-thousand-950 fans were in attendance.

This is the second-highest for an opening day, and the third-highest for a single KBO matchday.

Then Sunday saw five more sellouts -the first time the opening series has completely sold out.

In doing so, the KBO set a new opening weekend attendance record of 219-thousand-900.

The previous record was just over 214-thousand set in 2019.

Last season the KBO achieved 10 million fans for the first time, with the league growing in popularity.

But it wasn't all good news as reigning MVP Kim Do-yeong of the Kia Tigers injured his hamstring and will be out for a short while.

But the Tigers said on Sunday that it is the mildest form of muscle injury.

Moving on to football now.

The South Korean national team is back in action on Tuesday night against Jordan.

Yes, the second of two World Cup qualification matches in March.

The 1-1 draw with Oman on Thursday means South Korea's path to the World Cup isn't as straightforward as it was this time last week.

A win, plus Iraq either losing or drawing in their game with Palestine, would mean South Korea can qualify early as Iraq in third play Jordan in second in their last game.

But Palestine are ranked bottom of the group so South Korea might have to wait until the next international break in June to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.

The 1-1 draw was described by Hong Myung-bo as the worst display in this round of qualification.

He said his players gave the ball away too easily and his team never seemed in control.

He'll be expecting a better performance against Jordan on Tuesday in Suwon.

But I understand that there will be a few key players out injured.

Yes, what could have gone wrong, did go wrong on Thursday.

Midfielders Lee Kang-in and Paik Seung-ho, as well as defender Jung Seung-hyun have reportedly left the squad through injury.

The latter picked up a knock in the lead-up to the Oman game in training.

Paik Seung-ho, who started the game, went off injured in the first half.

Lee Kang-in came on in the second half with Korea looking to find another goal, but went down injured in the build-up to Oman's equalizer.

Feyenoord midfielder Hwang In-beom could return, however, and has been seen back in training but there will be no replacements called up.

Manager Hong Myung-bo had already been impacted by the injury to Kim Min-jae before a ball was even kicked.

There are three games left, including Tuesday's.

Korea are top of Group B, three points clear of both Iraq and Jordan.

The top two will seal places in the World Cup.

Alright, fingers crossed.

Thanks, Paul. See you next time.

Thank you.