South Korea recovered from a goal down to beat the Czech Republic 2-1 and make a winning start to their World Cup Group A campaign, much to the delight of their fans and the significant local Mexican support they enjoyed at a festive Guadalajara on Thursday.
The Koreans joined Mexico at the top of the group with three points after the co-hosts defeated South Africa 2-0 in the tournament opener in Mexico City.
Ladislav Krejci put the Czechs ahead with a fine header as the European side dominated in the air, but Hwang In-beom equalized shortly afterwards, supplying substitute Oh Hyeon-gyu’s winner.
Oh had come on for the misfired Son Heung-min, who had five chances in the first half alone but endured a poor day in front of goal and is still two goals away from the all-time scoring record for the side, failing to add to his tally of 56.
South Korea faces Mexico on June 18 and the Czechs travel to Atlanta to face South Africa the same day.
There were noticeable spots of empty seats in the stadium, but the vast majority of the 44,985 attendees were firmly behind the Koreans.
It was a game of contrasting styles, the technical quality and passing range of the Koreans versus the raw power and direct style of the Czechs.
The first half was goalless, but the match came alive in the second period and it was the Czechs who took the lead after 59 minutes when Krejci rose highest to head home from a long-range throw from Vladimir Coufal.
South Korea leveled eight minutes later and it was also a great goal. Lee Kang-in’s excellent 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 again undone by a set piece when Thomas Soucek headed in a free-kick, but the flag was raised for offside as the Czechs’ first World Cup match in 20 years ended in defeat.
