Surprise selection under Hong Myung-bo → Existing starter injured → Likely surprise starter... Could 'Hong Myung-bo's Cinderella' Lee Ki-hyuk become the World Cup's new star? [Czech match D-DAY]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Taehyun (Kashiwa Reysol), a key central defender for Hong Myung-bo's squad, suddenly collapsed due to an unexpected ankle injury. Could Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon FC), the protagonist of the 'surprise selection,' emerge as a savior to rescue the South Korean national team in crisis?

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

Due to Kim Taehyun's sudden injury, Hong Myung-bo's team is highly likely to deploy Lee Ki-hyuk alongside Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland) in a three-back formation for the first match against the Czech Republic. Lee Ki-hyuk, originally a midfielder, will now face a true test in whether he can effectively defend against the Czech Republic's aerial assault, a team with an average height of 187cm.

When the final World Cup roster was announced, Lee Ki-hyuk surprised the football world by earning his first ever South Korean national team jersey since Hong Myung-bo took charge. Although he had not been part of the national team since the Hong Kong match at the East Asian Cup last summer 2022, he received a call-up from coach Hong Myung-bo based on his outstanding performances with Gangwon this season.

During the press conference announcing the roster, coach Hong Myung-bo explained the rationale behind the selection, stating, "Lee Ki-hyuk possesses versatile multi-position capabilities, capable of playing both as a midfielder and a fullback."

Contrary to concerns, Lee Ki-hyuk proved his value in the friendly matches held ahead of the finals. Starting as the left stopper in the three-back formation during the first friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago in Utah, USA (5-0 victory), he played the full 90 minutes and delivered dazzling performances. He effectively served as the starting point of the attack, leading the build-up from the back and making bold through passes.

His performance was also commendable statistically. Lee Ki-hyuk recorded an impressive 95% pass accuracy (69/73), with a 92% pass success rate even in the opponent's half. In his own half, he achieved a perfect 100% success rate. Defensively, he demonstrated stability with one successful tackle, two clearances, and two cover actions.

In the subsequent match against El Salvador (1-0 victory), Lee Ki-hyuk continued to play a crucial role as the starting point of the build-up, working in tandem with Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom. Particularly, leveraging his wide vision as a former midfielder, he made sharp passes that cut through the opposing defensive line, firmly establishing himself as a tactical asset.

However, the pressure of the finals match against the Czech Republic differs from that of friendly matches. Due to his background as a midfielder, his occasionally bold plays could become a liability at the finals level. Rough challenges with opposing strikers or momentary lapses in judgment in the defensive area could lead directly to goals, creating potential risks.

With Kim Taehyun's absence, Lee Ki-hyuk faces his debut stage earlier than expected. The focus now is on whether he can overcome the Czech Republic's overwhelming physicality and fully establish himself as Hong Myung-bo's new Cinderella.

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*This content was translated by AI.