'Ultra-powerful' finishing move → 'Fatal' weakness... Key points to exploit 'Czech Republic, first opponent of Hong Myung-bo's team' [World Cup D-DAY]

*This content was translated by AI.

The first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, which will determine the fate of the South Korean national football team, is drawing near. The weakness of the tall Czech squad, the first hurdle, and the top priority defensive target have become clear.

South Korea will face Czech Republic in the first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group A at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on the 12th at 11 a.m. (Korean time).

The weapon that Hong Myung-bo's team must prepare for most thoroughly in this match is undoubtedly the aerial play and sharp build-up utilizing the overwhelming physicality of players with an average height of 187cm.

Coach Hong Myung-bo stated at the first press conference after arriving in Guadalajara, "Czech Republic has such strong physicality that it will not be easy to deal with," and added, "We must pay close attention to their aerial play and crosses that exploit their tall players."

Starting goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), who is confirmed to start, also warned, "Czech Republic attempts many crosses and has tall players lined up. A goalkeeper cannot stop them by just guarding the goal. We must actively move forward to assist defenders and fight from behind."

Czech Republic also showed no hesitation in its strong confidence in height. Winger Lukas Prochazka (Slavia Prague), who maximizes the advantages of the tall lineup, said in an interview before official training, "We are well aware of Czech Republic's strengths. Aerial duels and set-piece finishes can be a major weapon for Czech Republic in this tournament because we have many tall and strong players," predicting a fierce aerial battle.

In fact, Czech Republic is specialized in height, having scored three of its four goals during the European final qualifiers from set pieces. The front line anchored by 191cm Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), who scored 16 goals in the German Bundesliga this season, and 198cm tall striker Tomas Horak (Slavia Prague), is a source of fear.

In addition, crosses delivered by Vladimir Coufal (Hoffenheim) and David Jurasek (Slavia Prague) from the flanks are the top priority for the South Korean defense to block. Moreover, if the possibility of a water battle unique to the rainy season is added, a single cross could become a fatal variable.

That is not all. Czech Republic also possesses the ability to start build-up play precisely from the back. During Czech Republic's local training at the Sports Arena in Guadalajara on the 10th, starting goalkeeper Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven) used both feet freely to launch low, fast, and precise through passes beyond the half-line. Kovar, who made a series of spectacular saves in the European final qualifiers playoffs, is perfectly fulfilling the role of the starting point for Czech Republic's build-up play, making it a task for South Korea to block the first button of this backline build-up.

Conversely, the clear weaknesses of Czech Republic that South Korea must exploit are 'lack of acclimatization to time difference and high altitude' and 'open space behind targeting slow-footed players.'

South Korea arrived early in Guadalajara and gained time to fully cope with the capricious climate and high-altitude environment, whereas Czech Republic set up camp in the lowland city of Dallas, Texas, USA, and conducted its first training in Guadalajara only one day before the match. Due to the characteristics of high altitude, the ball travels faster than expected when shooting, so Czech Republic, which lacks acclimatization time, is highly likely to show a sharp decline in physical stamina and loss of concentration as the match progresses into the latter half. Czech media 'Sport' also predicted that Coach Koubek would opt for a practical counter-attack card instead of attacking to prevent physical decline.

One of the best weapons to exploit Czech Republic's weaknesses is breaking through the space behind. Hwang Hee-chan, who knows his teammate and Czech Republic's key defender Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers) better than anyone, warned, "Krejci is very smart and is a core resource that the team's coaching staff relies on tactically," but also indicated that South Korea must exploit Czech Republic's slow space behind by saying, "I will convey the characteristics of Krejci and the Czech defense that I know well to my teammates."

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

*This content was translated by AI.