Two goals in 12 minutes
©IMAGO
South Korea came from behind at the start of the World Cup against the Czech Republic and started the XXL tournament with a 2-1 (0-0). In-beom Hwang (68th minute) and Hyeon-gyu Oh (80th) scored for the team around the disappointing superstar Heung-Min Son. Captain Ladislav Krejci had headed the Czechs into the lead 20 years after their last World Cup participation in Germany (59th).
Co-hosts Mexico had previously won the World Cup opener against South Africa 2-0 in Group A and are now leaders ahead of the second matchday. Once again in Guadalajara there will be a duel between the two victorious teams in the group on the German night of June 19th. For South Africa and the Czech Republic on June 18th it’s all about maintaining their hopes for the knockout phase. A total of five Bundesliga professionals were spread across the two starting lineups. In addition to Bayern defender Min-jae Kim, South Korea also brought Jae-Sung Lee from FSV Mainz 05 in defense, while the Czech Republic relied on Hoffenheim’s Robin Hranac, Vladimir Coufal and Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick in attack in Mexico.
The 30-year-old also had the first smaller chance of the game after 14 minutes – then South Korea’s international players missed a number of opportunities. Superstar Son alone appeared dangerously in front of Matej Kovar’s goal several times, but then either aimed too inaccurately, was blocked or failed by the PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper. Mainz’s Lee also couldn’t take advantage of his good chance in the 49th minute.
The Czechs, on the other hand, took the lead with the first clear chance. Krejci headed a Coufal throw-in into the goal in the first of four World Cup games in Guadalajara. For South Korea, the goal was particularly bitter in the middle of a good phase. But it didn’t take the Asians long to recover. Hwang equalized just eight minutes later. The professional from Feyenoord Rotterdam had only come on for Lee five minutes earlier. Oh, who was also a substitute, then turned the game around after a fine counterattack and ensured South Korea had a perfect start to the tournament.