South Korea national team head coach Hong Myung-bo [Yonhap]
South Korea national team head coach Hong Myung-bo [Yonhap]

South Korea's 2-1 comeback victory over the Czech Republic on Friday in their opening World Cup group-stage match is prompting a reassessment of head coach Hong Myung-bo, whose appointment had long drawn criticism at home.

The match appeared to be slipping away from South Korea after the Czech Republic scored in the 59th minute to take the lead.

But South Korea leveled just eight minutes later. Lee Kang-in threaded a pass through the midfield, and Hwang In-beom burst into space behind the defense to receive it, then chipped the ball over the goalkeeper and defender for an equalizer in the 67th minute.

Hong then made a bold double substitution in the 69th minute, withdrawing captain and star forward Son Heung-min along with Lee Tae-seok and sending on Oh Hyeon-gyu and Eom Ji-seong. Given Son's stature as the team's captain and most dangerous attacker, it was a significant gamble — one that would have drawn fierce criticism had it backfired.

It paid off. Oh, who came on for Son, drove into the box in the 80th minute and converted a cross from Hwang In-beom to seal the win. It was the moment Hong's tactical instincts proved right.

The decision drew praise at home and abroad. Former national team player Lee Eul-yong, appearing on the YouTube channel "Richunsu" run by fellow ex-international Lee Chun-soo, said Hong had made the right substitutions. Lee Chun-soo agreed, saying, "When the manager makes a change and a goal comes right away, that's a jackpot."

Clinton Morrison, a former Republic of Ireland international and BBC pundit, said he had not thought pulling Son for Oh was the right call — "but it was the right decision." He added that moments like that are "why managers get paid big money at major tournaments."

Yet many South Korean fans remain skeptical of Hong. Criticism over his appointment — widely seen as having been pushed through under the influence of Korea Football Association president Chung Mong-gyu — has not faded, and doubts about his tactical acumen persist. Some observers caution that one or two group-stage results in a 48-team tournament are not enough to render a final verdict on his tenure.


paq@heraldcorp.com