South Korea fought back from a goal down to claim a deserved 2-1 win over Group A rivals Czech Republic in the second game of the World Cup at Estadio Guadalajara.
Myung-Bo Hong’s side were the better team throughout but fell behind after several misses from Heung-Min Son when Ladislav Krejci headed home Vladimir Coufal’s second-half long throw.
Czech Republic’s lead only lasted eight minutes, however, with In-Beom Hwang drawing South Korea level when he cut inside from Kang-In Lee’s pass and clipped a deft finish inside the post.
Tomas Soucek thought he had put the Czechs back in front when he headed in from another set-piece, but the West Ham midfielder was flagged for offside before South Korea substitute Hyeon-Gyu Oh tucked home In-Beom Hwang’s low cross for the winner.
The victory puts South Korea level on points with Mexico, 2-0 winners over South Africa in the opening game, in Group A and rewards an impressive team performance in which they demonstrated a high level of technical quality.
The key moments from Guadalajara…
- 14: Kang-In Lee forces the first save with a long-range shot
- 19: The first Mexican wave is seen around Estadio Guadalajara!
- 39: Son fires wide from the best of the first-half chances
- 56: Golden chance for Son but Matej Kovar stands tall and saves
- 59: GOAL! Coufal hurls in a long throw and Krejci goes steaming in at the near post to score with Czech Republic’s first effort on target
- 67: GOAL! In-Beom Hwang scores the beautifully-taken leveller
- 77: Soucek has a goal ruled out for offside for the Czechs
- 80: GOAL! Comeback complete for South Korea as Hyeon-Gyu Oh converts from close range
- 90+3: Late chance for Czech Republic but Seung-Gyu Kim denies Michal Sadilek to secure the points for South Korea
Analysis: South Korea excel in clash of styles
On the evidence of their performance in Guadalajara, South Korea should not be underestimated at this tournament. They were deserving winners in a game defined by a clash of styles.
Czech Republic’s inclination to go direct was evident from the early stages of the game. It was fitting that their goal came from a long throw. They struggled to create openings in open play.
South Korea, though, played with verve and imagination, taking a 62 per cent share of possession and completing nearly twice as many passes as their opponents with 464 to Czech Republic’s 242.
South Korea’s Hyeon-Gyu Oh celebrates with team-mate In-Beom Hwang
Son is of course the face of the team. The former Spurs forward featured prominently in the game but lacked the cutting edge of old as he sent all but one of his six shots off target.
It speaks to their depth of quality, though, that South Korea could score the goals they needed anyway. Both of them were superbly-worked, featuring starring contributions from In-Beom Hwang and Kang-In Lee, the game’s two outstanding performers.
South Korea now look set to battle with co-hosts Mexico for top spot in Group A. They have the look of potential dark horses after this impressive opening display.
