'Hong's Heart Sniper' Cinderella Makes a Surprise Debut, Delivering an Outstanding Performance in Her First Match... 'Build-up Core' Lee Ki-hyeok 'Seals It with a Bang'

*This content was translated by AI.

A surprise Cinderella has emerged under coach Hong Myung-bo. Lee Ki-hyeok (26, Gangwon FC), who surprised everyone when he was unexpectedly named in the final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has quickly risen as a key weapon for the Lee (CEO) team.

The South Korean national football team secured a decisive 5-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago in a friendly match held at South Field of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, on the 31st (Korea time).

Korea, capping off the first mock exam before the World Cup with a satisfying victory, showcased its firepower with multi-goals from Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), and a decisive strike from Hwang Hee-chan (Wolverhampton Wanderers).

Coach Hong Myung-bo deployed a modified 3-4-2-1 formation based on a back three featuring Lee Ki-hyeok, Cho You-min (Al-Sadd), and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland). Kim Jin-kyu (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors) and Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) were positioned in midfield, while Jens Castrof (Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Kim Moon-hwan (Daejeon Hana Citizen) operated as left and right wing-backs. Son Heung-min played as the central striker, supported by Bae Jun-ho (Stoke City) and Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD) in the second line. Cho Hyun-woo (Ulsan) guarded the goal.

Previously, Hong Myung-bo's team had shown a rigid defensive strategy that dulled their offense, leading to a frustrating flow. However, today they exploited Trinidad and Tobago with an efficient back-three system. In defense, they shifted to a back five, and in attack, Lee Ki-hyeok and Castrof transformed into a left full-back and left winger respectively, switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation to press the opponent.

Lee Ki-hyeok, the centerpiece of this tactic, delivered a dazzling performance. Starting as the left stopper in the back three and playing the full 90 minutes, Lee not only provided stable defense but also facilitated smooth positional exchanges with Castrof, leading natural build-up play from the back. With fearless composure, he launched powerful diagonal passes, effectively serving as the starting point for attacks.

The statistics further validate Lee Ki-hyeok's passing grade. According to the football statistics specialist 'SofaScore', Lee achieved an impressive 95% pass accuracy (69/73). He maintained a high 92% pass success rate in the opponent's half and a perfect 100% success rate in his own half. Defensively, he recorded one successful tackle, two clearances, and two cover actions, adding to his stability.

According to NEWS1, Coach Hong Myung-bo also praised Lee Ki-hyeok's performance in a post-match interview, stating, "Lee Ki-hyeok's performance was excellent, even though it was essentially his A-match debut."

This performance proved that Lee Ki-hyeok's unexpected inclusion in the World Cup final squad was no coincidence. After making his debut for the Seong In (CEO) team in the Hong Kong match of the East Asian Cup last summer, Lee had no connection with the Han Dong-an (CEO) team until this season. His outstanding play for Gangwon this season earned him a call-up from Coach Hong Myung-bo. At the press conference announcing the final squad, Coach Hong explained the selection by highlighting Lee's versatility, saying, "Lee Ki-hyeok is a versatile player capable of playing both as a midfielder and a full-back."

Having stood out as the new Cinderella of Hong Myung-bo's team with a flawless performance against Trinidad and Tobago, Lee Ki-hyeok appears to be an indispensable tactical card for the upcoming main tournament stage. After successfully completing the first friendly match, the Ma Chin (CEO) team is scheduled to play their second friendly against El Salvador on the 4th, before traveling to Guadalajara, Mexico, for their first group stage match.

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*This content was translated by AI.