"I give my junior Hwang In-beom a perfect 10!" Song Jong-koo on the 'one-touch magic' of the Czech Republic match... The three-at-the-back formation he had worried about also "withstood the immense pressure" [★World Cup Insight Song Jong-koo ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

The South Korean national football team, led by coach Hong Myung-bo, secured a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against the formidable Czech Republic in the Group A first match of the 2026 World Cup North America qualifiers. I watched the match with my heart in my mouth, and we finally secured a precious victory.

From the start of the match, the national team increased its ball possession and clearly demonstrated the play we aimed to implement on the field. In the first half, we were blocked by the Czech defense, which kept its defensive line deep, and no goals were scored. There were also dizzying moments where we occasionally surrendered counterattacks. However, the overall game management was stable enough to warrant a passing grade.

The most notable aspect of this match was the overall performance of the three-at-the-back defense, centered on Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), with Lee Ki-hyuk (Gangwon) and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland) deployed. While there were some minor errors, such as conceding unnecessary free kicks near the goal, the entire defensive line remained stable without significant wavering.

Especially encouraging was Lee Ki-hyuk, who, despite lacking experience, fully fulfilled his role under the immense pressure of his first World Cup match. Of course, there were moments of crisis for the defense. In the early to mid-second half, after conceding the opening goal, the Czech Republic substituted three players at once, shifting the momentum. It seemed as though the match was being dragged along according to the patterns the Czech Republic had prepared.

The frustrating flow, where the forward players struggled to break through, was instantly cut short by Hwang In-beom, who was positioned in the second line. Baek Seung-ho (Birmingham City) also shone with his solid performance, but Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) continuously attempted to cleverly exploit the space behind the opposition through one-touch passes. His play, which included an assist for both the equalizer and the go-ahead goal, was the highlight of the match.

If I had to pick just one player of the match today, it would undoubtedly be Hwang In-beom. If Baek Seung-ho, who had great chemistry in midfield, deserves an 8.5, I would unhesitatingly give Hwang In-beom a perfect 10.

On this day, captain Son Heung-min attempted a remarkable six shots but failed to fire, leaving him with regrets. However, his performance cannot be downgraded simply because he did not score. Son Heung-min's movements in the first half were very light, and the Czech Republic, aware that Son Heung-min was their top priority to mark, came out with meticulous defensive preparations.

Even in a situation where the defense focused intensely on him, Son Heung-min took shots on multiple occasions. Although he did not directly find the back of the net, he broke down the opponent's solid defensive wall and kept moving, creating space and opportunities for his teammates. By focusing on shooting and linked play, he served as the lubricant for the attack.

Behind the pleasant comeback victory, there is inevitably an issue that must be addressed. Everyone knew that the Czech Republic is an extremely strong team in set-pieces, including throw-ins and free kicks in front of the goal. Nevertheless, we eventually conceded a goal in the most feared manner after giving away a free kick due to a defender's foul. The fact that we fell victim to a known strong weapon is something the coaching staff and defense must reflect on and prepare for more thoroughly.

The focus of Lee Je (CEO) team now turns to the second match against Mexico. The host nation Mexico is truly a difficult opponent. To counter Mexico's offense, we must address the weaknesses of the three-at-the-back formation revealed in this Czech match. It is imperative that the three-at-the-back defenders do not recklessly rush to win the ball near our penalty box. The primary goal should be to hold firm and delay the opponent, preventing the opposing attacker from easily turning.

While the defenders wait, the midfielders must quickly drop into the defensive area to surround the opponent, creating an organic movement to win the ball through a 'sandwich mark' style of cooperative defense. Only the composure of the central defenders and the team's clear cooperative defense can weaken Mexico's attack.

Furthermore, if the attacking line can score early in the first half, it will be easier to seize the momentum. We look forward to the second victory report from our Taeguk Warriors juniors.

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*This content was translated by AI.