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 aspect have been unbeaten in qualifying and are available into the match beneath legendary participant Hong Myung-bo who’s again in cost after additionally overseeing the 2014 match in Brazil.
“A World Cup will not be a spot to be taught; it’s a place to show your self,” mentioned Hong just lately.
“We’ve got a balanced group with immense high quality, however execution beneath strain will dictate our journey.”
South Korea have been crushed within the final 16 by Brazil in 2022 and will probably 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 probably be making recollections for a complete new technology.
Crew 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 file 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 large title to observe.
Czechia have loads of gamers from their very own league however Patrik Schick of Bayer Leverkusen is the foremost menace 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 match – 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 perimeters. 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 every other workforce 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).
Tips on how 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.
Check out where all the World Cup matches will be shown here.
Prediction
Czechia are a bodily menace and will rating from set-pieces, however they lack match expertise and South Korea will show to have sufficient.
South Korea 2-0 Czechia
