'Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu coexistence': Will Hong Myung-bo make a bold selection? Warning against the 'absolute advantage' scenario where even a draw secures a spot in the Round of 32 [World Cup Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Heung-min (LAFC) and Oh Hyeon-gyu (Besiktas) were treated as a strict substitution pair rather than a coexistence option in this World Cup. As the formula solidified where Oh Hyeon-gyu would enter when Son Heung-min shook up the front line and his stamina waned, the two players were never used simultaneously for even a single minute.

Under coach Hong Myung-bo, South Korea will face South Africa in the final Group A match of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, at 10 a.m. Korea time on the 25th.

South Korea can advance to the Round of 32 with just a draw, but a loss could see them drop to fourth place depending on other results.

While a stable, defense-oriented approach is expected given the calculation that a draw guarantees advancement, there is a high risk that relying solely on defense could backfire if an unexpected blow is struck, derailing all plans. Ultimately, to safely secure second place in the group and avoid the worst-case scenario, a decisive goal and a victory are necessary.

This is why the option of deploying both strikers simultaneously, previously held in reserve, is being considered. The most perfect example of Son Heung-min and Oh Hyeon-gyu coexisting was the match against Mexico last September. At that time, coach Hong Myung-bo deployed Oh Hyeon-gyu as the starting striker and placed Son Heung-min on the left wing upon his substitution in the second half. As Oh Hyeon-gyu used his unique heavy physicality to hold the opposing defense in place at the front, Son Heung-min cut in from the wing into the center to exploit the space.

The result was decisive. Oh Hyeon-gyu's header set up Son Heung-min's volley for the equalizer, a representative case demonstrating why the combination of the two players can be so destructive.

Of course, the experimental process was not always smooth. In last year's match against Paraguay, Son Heung-min started but remained silent, while Oh Hyeon-gyu, who came on later, scored, creating a strange mix of joy and sorrow. In the subsequent match against Bolivia, Oh Hyeon-gyu was even left on the bench as the team experimented with a Son Heung-min-only striker system. With the Son Heung-min-centric striker tactic taking priority, the practical time available to form a two-striker combination naturally decreased, eventually solidifying into a formation where only one of them stood at the front.

Fortunately, the presence of substitute cards is undeniable. Oh Hyeon-gyu, who had already been substituted in during the first match against the Czech Republic to score a dramatic comeback winner, was again brought on suddenly in the 12th minute of the second half in the second match, threatening the Mexican goal with aggressive runs.

In addition, Cho Gue-sung (Midtjylland), who sat on the bench during the recent Czech Republic match, is also available as another card. Stepping onto the field in the 32nd minute, Cho Gue-sung demonstrated his value in limited time with a high header and a diving finish that created a goal-like scene.

The final opponent, South Africa, is clearly shorter in stature and focuses more on building up play from the back compared to their previous matchups against the Czech Republic and Mexico. As a team that tightens its defensive line and patrols the space behind, the structure where Oh Hyeon-gyu or Cho Gue-sung breaks through with physical strength at the front, allowing Son Heung-min to exploit the gaps, could once again become the key.

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*This content was translated by AI.