홍명보호의 승부수, '깜짝 발탁' 이기혁이 쏘아 올린 북중미 월드컵의 서막 > K-wave Trends

At the forefront of the attack was Son Heung-min, the undisputed icon of Korean soccer. He is playing in his 4th World Cup. If he scores in this game, he will record his 4th goal in the World Cup, surpassing Park Ji-sung and Ahn Jung-hwan, and becoming the highest scorer in the World Cup among Koreans. On either side of him are Lee Jae-seong, who has a high level of tactical understanding, and Lee Kang-in, who has creative passing ability, leading the second-line attack. Coach Hong Myung-bo made a clear calculation to use this triangle to shake up the Czech defense and create scoring opportunities through quick transitions. This is interpreted as a placement that goes beyond a simple list of offensive players and reflects Coach Hong's detailed strategy on how to attack the opponent's dense defense.

The most unconventional part of this starting list is definitely the composition of the defensive line. The fact that Lee Ki-hyuk, the protagonist of the 'surprise selection', was named as one of the three backs centered on Kim Min-jae was a choice that exceeded many people's expectations. Initially, the national team's defense team suffered great confusion due to the negative news of line injuries, but Lee Ki-hyuk earned the firm trust of coach Hong Myung-bo based on his excellent build-up ability and stable defense that he showed in the evaluation match. Lee Han-beom joins here and forms a solid shield with Kim Min-jae, while left and right wingbacks Lee Tae-seok and Seol Young-woo play the role of balancing offense and defense. This newly reorganized defensive line will be a key indicator of the Korean national team's tactical completeness in this tournament.

Lee Ki-hyuk’s selection process is literally like a drama. This is because Lee Ki-hyuk was the resource that was urgently transfused to fill the void created when players who were originally classified as starting players fell out of the sport due to a series of injuries. The fact that he, who has only one international match experience, is starting as a starter on the high-pressure stage of the World Cup proves how high expectations coach Hong Myung-bo places on him. It is no exaggeration to say that his rise to the starting position, overtaking veteran competitors such as Park Jin-seop, along with Jo Wi-je, who joined as a training partner and seized the opportunity, was a result of the 'energy of the universe.' Lee Ki-hyuk's left-foot kick is expected to not only improve the quality of the rear build-up, but also become a sharp weapon that can be delivered to the front in critical situations in the late stages of the game.

In the midfield, Hwang In-beom and Baek Seung-ho work together to serve as the team's engine. Baek Seung-ho's selection as 'Hwang In-beom's partner', which coach Hong Myung-bo had been concerned about for the longest time since taking office, appears to have been a decision that took into account both controlling the tempo of the game and defensive stability. They must withstand the Czech Republic's strong pressure and faithfully fulfill their role as a bridge between attack and defense. Kim Seung-gyu, who boasts a wealth of experience, will be in charge of the goal, and he will lead the entire defense from the last line. Tactically, based on the 3-4-3 formation, Coach Hong's will to effectively block the opponent's flank attacks and gain numerical superiority in the center is clearly visible.