'World Cup first opponent' Czech coach: "Son Heung-min is a Korean legend... Hong Myung-bo's team has excellent attack" [Guadalajara]

*This content was translated by AI.

Miroslav Koubek, head coach of the Czech national team, South Korea's first opponent in the World Cup, warned of a direct confrontation one day before the opening match.

The Czech national team, led by Coach Koubek, will face Hong Myung-bo's team in the first match of the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup Group A at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara at 11 a.m. (Korean time) on the 12th.

At a formal press conference held at the same venue at 3:30 p.m. (local time) following Coach Hong Myung-bo, Coach Koubek said, "I naturally feel the excitement that the World Cup has begun. I sense tension and passion." He added, "When I was in Dallas, USA, I didn't feel it much, but now that I've arrived in Mexico, the tension is finally coming."

He further explained, "We always talk about topics like weather and high-altitude adaptation, but personally, I do not accept such excuses. I have always been managing well."

Although the Czech Republic is ranked 41st in the FIFA rankings in Group A of this tournament, 16 spots below South Korea (25th), their recent momentum and strength are fierce. After the coaching change, they drew 2-2 against difficult opponents Ireland and Denmark in the European World Cup final qualifiers, then secured their spot in the finals after a tense penalty shootout, showing terrifying concentration. Of the four goals scored at that time, three came from precise set-piece situations, making their dead-ball situations powerful.

When asked to analyze the strength of their opponent, South Korea, Coach Koubek said, "That is a very big question." He added, "The two teams are very different, with different strengths and weapons. It is important to make the best use of Czech players to stop South Korea's powerful attack."

Regarding the issue of South Korea's high-altitude adaptation compared to the Czech team, which arrived in Guadalajara only two days before the match and had only a short time to stay, he said, "This is a question I always hear," and emphasized, "The Czech team, like all participating countries in the World Cup, played well up to the Denmark match in the final qualifiers and came to this place."

He also stated firmly, "Adapting to the given situation is always part of football. Of course, adapting to high altitude is important, but we will see how it goes on the field. I do not want to be discouraged just because there is insufficient time for high-altitude adaptation."

Regarding the starting lineup for the match against South Korea, he said, "It seems to have been completed two days ago," and added, "We created the lineup considering the opponent's characteristics."

When asked who the most critical player to watch is, he immediately pointed to Son Heung-min (LAFC). When Coach Koubek was asked to name other players who could be a threat besides Son Heung-min, he answered clearly, "The answer is simple. Son Heung-min is a threat."

He even stated, "Son Heung-min is a Korean legend. South Korea is a team with excellent attack. They have excellent attackers lined up, making them a team that can threaten the Czech Republic."

At the same time, he showed confidence by saying, "The Czech Republic also has excellent players, and we played well in the Denmark match during the European qualifiers. We should be able to handle South Korea's excellent attack sufficiently."

Regarding the so-called "shirt trick," where the former South Korean national team changed players' jersey numbers to confuse opponents during friendly matches, he smiled and said, "The opponent's plan is something they decide themselves. The different jersey numbers were a kind of surprise. However, we have already figured out all the South Korean players, so it was not a problem at all."

Finally, Coach Koubek said the message he would convey to the players before the match is, "I always emphasize three things: team play, unity, and fulfilling the dreams of childhood." He added, "They must prove these on the field, and I too must work hard together with everyone."

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*This content was translated by AI.