South Korea ready for Czech Republic clash in World Cup qualifiers
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The South Korean national football team is preparing for their first match against the Czech Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
- Coach Hong Myung-bo and captain Son Heung-min expressed confidence in the team's readiness and positive atmosphere.
- Both Korean and Czech teams held official training sessions and press conferences, showing relaxed yet focused attitudes.
The South Korean national football team is fully prepared and brimming with confidence as they gear up for their opening match against the Czech Republic in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Coach Hong Myung-bo and captain Son Heung-min addressed the media on June 10, expressing their readiness for the crucial Group A fixture. "I've had to calm the players down because they are so passionate about preparing for this match," Son revealed, highlighting the team's high spirits. Coach Hong added that the team has been diligent in their preparations, leaving no stone unturned.
I've had to calm the players down because they are so passionate about preparing for this match.
The team's positive energy was palpable during their official training session, which was open to the press. Players were seen smiling and enjoying their warm-up, with former national stars Park Ji-sung and Lee Young-pyo, as well as current player Ki Sung-yueng, in attendance to support them.
The Czech team also held their official training and press conference, with key players like captain Ladislav Krejci, midfielder Tomas Soucek, and forward Patrik Schick showing a relaxed demeanor. Both teams have acclimatized to the high altitude of Jalisco, Mexico, where the match will take place. The outcome of this match is critical for South Korea's chances of advancing to the Round of 32.
The team has been diligent in their preparations, leaving no stone unturned.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.