South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo was delighted his pre-match call for unity was heeded as his side hit back to win their opening World Cup game against Czechia.
Ladislav Krejci’s header put Czechia ahead against the run of play after 59 minutes but Hwang In-beom’s clever finish drew South Korea level eight minutes later and the Feyenoord midfielder then turned provider with the cross for substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu to net the winner with 10 minutes remaining.
It was a fully deserved win for Hong’s side who dominated much of the contest in Guadalajara and they now sit on the three points alongside tournament co-hosts Mexico, who beat South Africa 2-0 earlier in the day.
“It was our first game and a very difficult one,” Hong said. “The win itself makes me happy, but what’s even more positive is that our boys won by not giving up. I knew that we were more than capable of winning, so at 1-1, I told the boys to keep playing the way we’ve been playing.
“Before the match I gave two messages: not give up until the end and unite as one. Whether on the pitch or not, we need to play as one team.”
South Korea bossed the first half but star man Son Heung-min was uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal. Czechia rode their luck and went ahead from their first effort on target, Krejci nodding in Vladimir Coufal’s long throw.
South Korea were in need of a hero and it came in the form of Hwang, who showed lovely composure to latch on to Lee Kang-in’s pass, draw advancing Czechia keeper Matej Kovar and cleverly dispatch a chip into the net.
Czechia thought they had regained the lead when Tomas Soucek headed in a free-kick after 78 minutes only for the effort to be ruled out for offside and South Korea took full advantage of their reprieve when Oh got on the end of Hwang’s centre to tap home.
Czechia had to respond and they finally offered an attacking threat, only to be frustrated by South Korea goalkeeper Kim Seung-Gyu, who made fine stops to deny Adam Hlozek and Michal Sadilek.
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Oh revealed afterwards he nearly did not play only to then emerge as the match-winner.
He said: ”I cannot explain my emotions in words. My body temperature today had gone up to 38 degrees, because I wasn’t feeling well.
“I wondered if I could even play. It was possible thanks to our staff, and medical team. Playing at the World Cup itself is something that I should be grateful and thankful for. As a striker I am relieved and thankful.”
It was a disappointing start for Czechia, who will hope to bounce back against South Africa in Atlanta next Thursday.
Captain Krejci said: “We’re still getting used to the tactical approach. It’s also our first World Cup in a long time, so it’s only natural that nerves play a part. But the key for us is to stay compact defensively. We have to make it as difficult as possible for opponents to get to our goal.”
