South Korea rallied from a goal down to defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 and get their World Cup Group A campaign off to a winning start, much to the delight of their fans and the large local Mexican support they enjoyed in a festive Guadalajara on Thursday.
The Koreans joined Mexico on three points at the top of the pool after the co-hosts defeated nine-man South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs in front with a fine header as the European side dominated in the air, but Hwang In-beom equalized soon after, supplying substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner.
Oh had come on for the struggling Son Heung-min, who had five chances in the first half alone but endured an off-day in front of goal and is still two goals short of the team’s all-time goalscoring record, failing to add to his 56 tally.
South Korea next face Mexico on June 18, and the Czechs travel to Atlanta to face South Africa on the same day.
There were noticeable areas of empty seats in the stadium, but the vast majority of the 44,985 in attendance were solidly behind the Koreans.
It was a game of contrasting styles, the Koreans’ technical quality and passing range versus the Czechs’ raw strength and direct style.
The first half was goalless but the game sprang to life in the second period and it was the Czechs who took the lead after 59 minutes when Krejci rose highest to head home a long throw from Vladimir Coufal.
South Korea equalized eight minutes later and it was also a fine goal. Lee Kang-in’s superb through ball created the shooting opportunity for Hwang In-beom and he cut inside before curling a right-footed shot low into the far corner.
Korea were canceled out by a set-piece again when Thomas Soucek headed in a free-kick, but the flag was raised for offside as the Czechs’ first match at the World Cup for 20 years ended in defeat.
