South Korea's first opponent in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup in North America this June will be either Denmark or Czechia. With the potential opponents now largely identified, head coach Hong Myung-bo is expected to test corresponding tactics in the upcoming friendly against Côte d'Ivoire.
Denmark thrashed North Macedonia 4-0 in the UEFA playoff semifinal for the World Cup, Group D path, held at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on March 26 (local time). In the other semifinal played at the same time, Czechia edged Ireland 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes of play at Fortuna Arena in Prague. Denmark and Czechia will now face off on March 31 at Czechia's home ground for the final World Cup qualification spot. The winner will secure a place in World Cup Group A and meet South Korea in the group stage's opening match.
Among the European playoff Group D nations, Denmark — ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings (South Korea is 22nd) — were as strong as expected. Should Denmark advance, Gustaf Isaksen, who scored two goals on the day, will be the primary player to watch. Isaksen plays in Italy's Serie A. He partnered with Cho Gue-sung in attack at Danish club Midtjylland before moving to Lazio in 2023. He has recorded four goals and one assist in 24 appearances for Lazio this season. For Czechia, goalkeeper Matěj Kovář (PSV Eindhoven) stood out after saving consecutive penalty kicks from Ireland's fourth and fifth takers.
Hong's squad will play a friendly against Côte d'Ivoire, ranked 37th in the FIFA rankings, at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, England, at 11 p.m. KST on March 28. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo will be the key player to watch, and Hong's team plans to use the match for final tactical fine-tuning.
A notable aspect of this friendly is that the "hydration break" will be applied. The hydration break is a roughly three-minute rest period for players to drink water, introduced at the 22-minute mark of each half. It is being used for the first time at this World Cup. Matches previously played in two 45-minute halves will effectively be divided into four segments of roughly 22 minutes each. This essentially creates a four-quarter system, and because coaches can give tactical instructions during the breaks, how teams utilize them could have a significant impact. "The hydration break will be applied to all matches at this World Cup regardless of weather or temperature," a Korea Football Association official said. "We will use this friendly for real-game adaptation on how to make the most of it." FIFA has explained the system was introduced to protect player health, but some interpret it as a move aimed at increasing advertising revenue.
Forward Oh Hyeon-gyu (Beşiktaş), who has been on a scoring spree with five goals in the Turkish league, is expected to start as the lead striker in the friendly. Son Heung-min (Los Angeles FC) will be looking for his first field goal of the year. Son has managed only one goal — a penalty kick — in nine appearances for LAFC this year. After the Côte d'Ivoire match, the national team will travel to Vienna, Austria, for a friendly against Austria at 3:45 a.m. KST on April 1.