붉은 악마의 고난, 북중미 월드컵 개막 직전 덮친 '수비진 부상 악재' > K-wave Trends

The decisive reason for the red light in Hong Myung-bo's defensive tactics is the sudden departure of left-footed center-back Kim Tae-hyun. During the final tactical training session in Zapopan, Mexico, Kim suffered the misfortune of twisting his ankle during a 'rondo' passing drill. Following a detailed examination, it was diagnosed that he would be unable to play in all three group stage matches, completely disrupting the coaching staff's plan to utilize him as a left stopper in a three-back system. Although FIFA regulations allow for the replacement of players up to 24 hours before the first match, Coach Hong decided to keep Kim on the roster rather than excluding him. This decision reflects the judgment of the medical and coaching staff that he could be utilized starting from the Round of 32 knockout stage.

Kim Tae-hyun's injury is seen as a symbolic event in the series of misfortunes regarding the operation of the defensive line in this tournament. There had already been a succession of departures of defensive resources since the initial call-up; Cho Yu-min was sidelined due to an injury at the pre-tournament camp in the U.S., leading to the emergency addition of his training partner Cho Wi-je to the final roster. As a result, Coach Hong Myung-bo faces a desperate situation where he must maximize the use of available defensive resources. As foreign media outlets like The Guardian have pointed out, a three-back system requires high tactical understanding and organic organization from individual players, and the lack of time to solidify defensive organization due to continuous injuries is a major source of anxiety. How quickly a new defensive combination can sync up to fill the void left by existing key players will be the key to victory or defeat.

Lee Ki-hyuk, the protagonist of a 'surprise selection,' is being mentioned as the most likely alternative to fill the defensive void. Like Kim Tae-hyun, Lee is left-footed and has built trust with Coach Hong Myung-bo by demonstrating stable build-up ability and active participation in attacks during friendly matches after joining the national team. If Lee starts against the Czech Republic, the key will be how quickly he can shake off the psychological pressure of his debut on the big stage of the World Cup. In addition to this, various tactical variations are being considered, such as deploying Cho Wi-je or adjusting the position of key central defender Kim Min-jae and utilizing Park Jin-seop. Ultimately, whoever starts, the key variable determining the success or failure of the Czech match will be how quickly they can harmonize with the existing defensive line.

Not only in the defensive line but also in the attacking line, welcome news and concerns coexist. Key attacking resource Bae Jun-ho is also currently excluded from team training due to an ankle injury caused by a rough tackle from an opponent during a friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago. Fortunately, Bae is showing signs of recovery through consistent rehabilitation to the point where he can sprint, but sudden movements like changing direction are still at a cautious stage. A national team official predicts that even if Bae skips the first match against the Czech Republic, he will be able to play normally starting from the second match against Mexico. This situation, where key players on both offense and defense repeat cycles of injury and recovery, is the most urgent and difficult task that Hong Myung-bo's squad must solve.