'Great Crisis' Hong Myung-bo's Team Suffers 'Fatal' Early Goal Against Czech Republic, Falling Behind 0-1... Krejci Header Goal [Guadalajara On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national football team found itself in a crisis after missing several decisive chances in the early second half and conceding a painful early goal during a Czech Republic set-piece situation, which is their specialty.

The South Korean national football team (ranked 25th), led by coach Hong Myung-bo, fell behind 0-1 after conceding a regrettable first goal in the second half during the first match of Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North, Central America and Caribbean against Czech Republic (ranked 41st) at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico, on the morning of the 12th (Korea time).

South Korea, having finished the first half 0-0, took the field in the second half without making any substitutions, maintaining its original 3-4-2-1 formation. Son Heung-min (LAFC) led the attack from the front, supported by Lee Jae-sung (Mainz) and Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), while the midfield and the three-back line continued with the same tactics as in the first half. Czech Republic also began the second half without any lineup changes, fielding Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen) and Tomas Soucek (West Ham United).

South Korea took the initiative in the early second half. They relentlessly threatened the Czech goal, aiming for the first goal. In the 4th minute of the second half, Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) attempted a bold right-footed shot, but it was blocked by Czech goalkeeper Matej Kovar (PSV Eindhoven). Lee Jae-sung quickly rushed toward the loose ball and took another shot, but it was again stopped by the goalkeeper's physical defense, leaving him with regret.

Next, in the 11th minute of the second half, the most perfect opportunity of the match arrived. Son Heung-min, receiving Lee Jae-sung's precise pass, broke through the Czech defensive line and found himself in a one-on-one chance against the goalkeeper. Son Heung-min attempted a skillful left-footed chip shot to go over the keeper, but the shot went too straight and was caught by goalkeeper Kovar.

Immediately after the decisive chance, a crisis followed. After blocking South Korea's attack, Czech Republic launched a counterattack. In the 13th minute of the second half, a sharp cross from the flank was delivered deep into the Korean penalty area, causing a moment of heart-stopping tension. It was a dangerous scene that could have easily resulted in a goal had it touched a Czech attacker.

The moment of relief was short-lived. Eventually, the defensive wall crumbled under a single Czech set-piece. In the 14th minute of the second half, a long throw-in led to chaos in front of the goal. Ladislav Krejci (Wolverhampton Wanderers), the Czech captain and key defender who joined the attack, rushed into the box with fierce concentration and headed the ball into the net, shaking South Korea's goal. Czech Republic's persistent aerial play and dead-ball ability proved effective.

Hong Myung-bo's team, which had displayed the power of set-pieces during the European qualifiers, was hit hard again on the main stage, forcing them into a difficult position where they had to chase the game immediately.

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*This content was translated by AI.