'World Cup debut match winning goal' hero Oh Hyun-kyu: "I don't even remember the moment of scoring... It was a dream come true" [Live from Guadalajara]

*This content was translated by AI.

Oh Hyun-kyu (Besiktas), the new savior of the South Korean national football team, overcame a high fever and scored a dramatic winning goal, saving Hong Myung-bo's squad. The youngest player, who four years ago in Qatar silently supported his seniors as a reserve player without a jersey number, has now risen as the protagonist of a stunning comeback victory.

The South Korean national football team (ranked 25th), led by head coach Hong Myung-bo, defeated the Czech Republic (ranked 41st) 2-1 in a thrilling comeback victory in the first match of Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, held on the 12th at 11 a.m. (Korea time) at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico. After conceding the first goal in the second half, the team secured the win thanks to consecutive goals by Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) and Oh Hyun-kyu.

Oh Hyun-kyu stood at the pinnacle of that comeback victory. In the 23rd minute of the second half, with the score tied 1-1, Oh, who was substituted in for Son Heung-min (LAFC), fiercely rushed into the box and accurately pushed the ball into the net with his right foot after receiving a precise right-footed cross from Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) from the right flank in the 35th minute.

After the match, Oh Hyun-kyu met with reporters in the mixed zone, overcome with emotion at scoring his debut goal in his World Cup debut. He said, "I am truly happy, joyful, and beyond grateful that I was able to score in my first match just as I dreamed four years ago."

Due to his intense focus on the game, the perfect moment of the winning goal remained only as a afterimage. Oh Hyun-kyu said, "Actually, I don't seem to remember it well. I don't recall in detail how I scored the goal, how I played throughout the match, or how I scored, so I only realized 'Ah, the goal went in like this' after watching the video."

In fact, Oh Hyun-kyu's appearance and performance on this day were like a drama. This was because his physical condition was at its worst just before the match. Oh Hyun-kyu revealed, "Suddenly, after eating lunch, my fever skyrocketed. I had many doubts, such as 'Will I be able to play in today's match?'"

He continued, "The reason I was able to score a goal like this today is all thanks to the medical team," and turned the credit to them.

When asked if the fever was due to nervousness, he wittily replied, "I don't think so. I think I got sick while trying to ward off bad luck to score a goal like this today."

The steadfast trust of the head coach and the precious experience as a reserve player four years ago became the background that allowed Oh Hyun-kyu to dance on the field. Oh Hyun-kyu explained, "Before I went on, Coach Hong Myung-bo really boosted my confidence and told me to 'shoot a lot once you're in,' so I was able to play with more confidence. Although it was my first World Cup stage, I had the experience of watching my seniors up close four years ago, so I was able to go on without trembling and play my own game."

It was also revealed that the Hong Myung-bo squad had undergone long-term high-altitude acclimatization training in Salt Lake City, Utah, and other places in the United States ahead of the tournament. Oh Hyun-kyu said, "We have been preparing since Salt Lake City, enduring very difficult training, and that has become our blood and flesh. During the hydration break, the coach said, 'We worked hard, so we must win,' and I am truly happy to have received the reward of victory."

Additionally, Oh Hyun-kyu said, "My family took a break from their shop for about a month and came here to support me, and I am happy to show them my goal directly. I will play even better in the remaining matches so that when we return to Korea in a month, my parents won't have to reopen the shop, and I will take good care of them comfortably. I think I need to do better. Thank you," revealing his deep filial piety as he concluded the interview.

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*This content was translated by AI.