'World Cup is right around the corner,' foreign media also criticize Hong Myung-bo's tactics, urging "Better to switch to a back four"

*This content was translated by AI.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, foreign media have pointed out issues with Hong Myung-bo's "three-back" tactical system. While a three-back theoretically provides stability, Hong's implementation has repeatedly exposed defensive vulnerabilities, prompting calls to consider switching to a back four system immediately.

U.S. analysis outlet RotoWire recently analyzed the strength of teams in Group A of the upcoming World Cup, noting that "South Korea's three-back tactic has repeatedly shown problems in actual matches, where the wing-backs push forward and leave dangerous gaps in transition situations."

The outlet stated, "In March's A-match friendlies, the harsh reality was laid bare. South Korea suffered a 0-4 defeat to Côte d'Ivoire and lost 0-1 to Austria." It added, "While the 3rd-4-2-1 formation favored by coach Hong Myung-bo may offer advantages in building attacks and creating chances, it has repeatedly shown defensive weaknesses against cutbacks and crosses. The goal conceded in the Austria match, for instance, resulted from the defensive line failing to cover the necessary angles, allowing a shooting opportunity."

In fact, Hong's team saw its defense collapse during last month's match against Côte d'Ivoire, conceding four goals, and also failed to overcome a critical threat in the Austria match, resulting in a painful goal. In both games, Coach Hong maintained the 3rd-4-2-1 formation, which has been under scrutiny since the previous World Cup qualifiers. Even excluding the EAFF E-1 Football Championship, the three-back system was deployed in 7 out of 8 A-match friendlies held since September last year. Currently, there is a high likelihood that the three-back will remain Hong's Plan A for the World Cup finals.

However, the outlet pointed out that switching to a back four system, even if done late, would be more beneficial defensively. Furthermore, regardless of the offensive advantages of the three-back system in attack development and chance creation, the current three-back setup under Coach Hong raises questions about goal-scoring capability. Hong's team utilized a back four during the previous World Cup qualifiers, and most players currently play in a back four system at their respective clubs.

RotoWire stated, "The debate over the three-back tactic must be resolved before June, when the World Cup takes place. Even if it means sacrificing some attacking width, switching to a more compact back four system could be more advantageous defensively." It added, "In the two A-match friendlies in March, South Korea failed to score over 180 minutes. If Son Heung-min (LAFC) cannot find a solution, the team's goal-scoring routes appear limited."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.