South Korea begin an Eleventh-straight World Cup marketing campaign in opposition to the Czechs in Guadalajara within the second match in Group A.
The Asian facet have been unbeaten in qualifying and are available into the event underneath legendary participant Hong Myung-bo who’s again in cost after additionally overseeing the 2014 event in Brazil.
“A World Cup just isn’t a spot to study; it’s a place to show your self,” mentioned Hong not too long ago.
“We’ve got a balanced group with immense high quality, however execution underneath stress will dictate our journey.”
South Korea have been overwhelmed within the final 16 by Brazil in 2022 and will likely be hoping to achieve the knockout levels once more.
The Czechs wanted a play-off to qualify for his or her first World Cup in 20 years and will likely be making reminiscences for an entire new era.
Staff information for South Korea v Czechia
South Korea nonetheless lean closely on Tottenham legend Son Heung-min, with the Los Angeles FC ahead scoring 56 occasions for his nation.
Son is 2 objectives away from equalling the goalscoring document for South Korea and is joined in assault by Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan and PSG ahead Lee Kang-in.
Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae is one other massive identify to look at.
Czechia have loads of gamers from their very own league however Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen is the main risk forward of West Ham stalwart Tomas Soucek.
Anticipated line-ups for South Korea v Czechia
South Korea: Kim Seung-gyu; Lee Gi-hyuk, Kim Min-jae, Lee Han-beom; Seol Younger-woo, Hwang In-beom, Paik Seung-ho, Lee Tae-seok; Hwang Hee-chan, Lee Jae-sung; Son Heung-min
Czechia: Kovar; Chaloupek, Hranac, Krejci; Coufal, Cerv, Soucek, Jurasek; Provod, Sulc; Schick
The stats
South Korea’s greatest World Cup efficiency got here in 2002, once they co-hosted the event – they completed fourth. Away from dwelling they’ve by no means progressed previous the spherical of 16.
This would be the first World Cup encounter between the edges. Their three earlier conferences all got here in friendlies, leading to one win apiece and one draw. The latest conflict occurred a decade in the past in June 2016, a 2-1 victory for Korea in Prague.
Czechia scored extra set-piece objectives than some other staff in UEFA qualifying for the 2026 World Cup (11/22), together with a competition-high seven from corners. Their seven objectives from headers have been additionally second solely to Norway (8).
The way to watch South Korea v Czechia
The match kicks off at 03:00 BST and is broadcast on ITV and STV within the UK. It may be streamed on ITVX.
Take a look at the place all of the World Cup matches will likely be proven right here.
Prediction
Czechia are a bodily risk and will rating from set-pieces, however they lack event expertise and South Korea will show to have sufficient.
South Korea 2-0 Czechia
