"I give my junior Hwang In-beom a perfect 10!" Song Jong-koo on the 'one-touch magic' in 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]

*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 "tough opponent" Czech Republic in the Group A first match of the 2026 North America World Cup qualifiers. I watched the match with my heart in my mouth, and we finally secured a precious victory.

From the early stages 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 Czech Republic's deep defensive line, 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 defensive line, centered around 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 disruption.

Especially encouraging was Lee Ki-hyuk, who lacks experience, fulfilling his role sufficiently despite the immense pressure of his first World Cup match. Of course, there were moments of danger for the defense. In the early to mid-second half, after conceding the opening goal, Czech Republic substituted three players at once, shifting the momentum. It seemed as though the match was being played according to the patterns 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) consistently 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 swallowed his disappointment after attempting six shots without finding the net. However, the lack of a goal does not diminish his performance. Son Heung-min's movements in the first half were very light, and 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 several shots. Although he did not directly shake 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 a challenge that must be addressed. Everyone knew that 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 a point of reflection for both the coaching staff and the defense, requiring more thorough preparation.

The focus of the Lee Je (CEO) team now turns to the second match against Mexico. The host nation Mexico is a truly difficult opponent. To counter Mexico's offense, we must address the weaknesses of the three-at-the-back formation revealed in the Czech Republic 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 cooperative 'sandwich mark' formation. Only the calmness 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 match, it will be easier to seize the momentum. We look forward to the second victory report from the Taegeuk Warriors' juniors.

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*This content was translated by AI.