South Korea’s matchwinner Oh Hyeon-gyu revealed he had performed via sickness of their World Cup opener, having struck the decisive aim in a 2-1 victory over Czechia.
Hong Myung-bo’s workforce produced an aesthetic show of their opening Group A contest in Zapopan on Thursday, although they needed to come from behind to win.
A towering header from Ladislav Krejci put Czechia in entrance simply earlier than the hour mark, however Hwang In-beom’s great flip and end bought South Korea stage inside eight minutes.
Oh then got here off the bench to show Hwang’s right-wing centre house 10 minutes from time, lifting South Korea to a few factors alongside Mexico, who they face of their second match subsequent Thursday.
Oh turned the eighth South Korea participant to attain on his World Cup debut, and the fifth to take action off the bench. Three of their final 4 objectives on the match, relationship again to the 2022 version, have now come by way of substitutes.
However Oh virtually needed to sit the sport out, telling reporters: “To be sincere, I wasn’t feeling properly. My fever went as much as 38 levels Celsius, making me marvel if I may even play.
“Simply being right here on the World Cup is one thing I’m grateful for. My coach gave me a chance, and I am grateful I used to be in a position to rating and assist the workforce win. As a striker, that is all you may ask for.”
South Korea dominated possession, having 61.5% of the ball and changing that determine into 2.3 anticipated objectives (xG), in comparison with Czechia’s 0.81.
The 25 passes within the build-up to Hwang’s equaliser equalled the fifth-longest passing sequence resulting in a World Cup aim since 1966.
However additionally they needed to name upon goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu, who made a wonderful goal-line block to thwart Adam Hlozek within the 82nd minute and likewise denied Michal Sadilek in stoppage time.
Kim stated: “We have been controlling the sport, but when we had misplaced after conceding first, the duty may have fallen on the defenders and the goalkeeper.
“I’m happy that we have been in a position to flip the sport round and that my saves helped the workforce, even in a small manner.”
Thursday’s victory was South Korea’s eighth on the World Cup general, with 4 of these coming by way of 2-1 scorelines after going behind.
Czechia might now discover themselves needing a end result in opposition to South Africa on Thursday to have a sensible probability of reaching the knockout rounds.
Krejci’s aim made him the second Wolves participant to attain on the 2026 World Cup, after the not too long ago returned Raul Jimenez, and 7 of Czechia’s final 14 World Cup objectives, relationship again to 1990, have been headers (together with as Czechoslovakia).
Nonetheless, the captain was annoyed by their defensive shortcomings, saying: “I am offended about these conditions that we could not deal with.
“Sure, we’re getting used to the brand new ways, and there could also be nervousness within the first match on the World Cup, however the compactness should be there, we now have to be on the pitch collectively.
“We conceded two objectives of an identical model. We knew how necessary it was to maintain the lead, however we did not make it. Disappointment is the primary feeling, but it surely’s solely the start, the match will probably be lengthy.
“Now we will be offended, however we now have to arrange for the following match from tomorrow, as we all know how essential it will likely be.”
