Head Coach Hong Myung-bo: "A Tough Match... But Our Players Never Gave Up"

South Korean national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo credited his players for their unwavering determination in securing a comeback victory against a formidable Czech side in the opening match of Group A at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The South Korean team defeated the Czech Republic 2-1 in their Group A opener held at the Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico, on June 12 (Korea Standard Time).

After conceding the opening goal in the 59th minute, Hong's squad leveled the score with a goal from Hwang In-beom (Feyenoord) in the 67th minute, followed by a dramatic winning goal from Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş) in the 80th minute.

In a post-match interview, Coach Hong expressed his relief, stating, "I am happy to have won such a difficult match. The fact that the players did not give up during a tough situation and fought for the win will have a positive impact on the team."

Hong specifically praised his squad, adding, "I want to congratulate the players," and attributed the victory to their efforts.

Regarding the instructions he gave during the hydration break in the first half, Hong explained, "I emphasized that we could score if we stuck to our game plan. I also instructed them to maintain their positions and avoid losing possession of the ball."

When asked about his mindset for the second match against Mexico in a week, Hong said, "It is a crucial match for advancing to the Round of 32, so we will prepare well during the remaining time."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.