"The Czech Republic is a physically outstanding team. The most important point that will determine the outcome of the match against the Czechs is how we block the sharp crosses coming from the flanks that they use to exploit their tall players, and how we can tactically overcome the disadvantage stemming from the height difference."
This is Korea national football team head coach Hong Myung-bo's strategy for the match against the Czech Republic, which he outlined Friday ahead of the team's first training session after entering its base camp in Guadalajara, Mexico. He said he would focus his efforts on refining defensive tactics during the remaining training period to effectively contain the Czechs' "high-flying football."
The national team led by Hong held training at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, that day. It was the first training session for Hong's squad after entering the Guadalajara base camp. From that day until the first group-stage match, the team plans to carry out tailored training for the match against the Czech Republic, their first opponent, along with adapting to local conditions.
On the same day, the Czech Republic also held its first training session after entering its base camp at Texas Health Mansfield Stadium in Mansfield, Texas, in the United States. The Czech Republic is aiming for a victory against Korea by capitalizing on their height advantage. Veteran defender Jaroslav Zeleny (Sparta Prague) said, "Our height can be an advantage," adding, "We want to take three points in the match against Korea."
The Czech Republic is a team with solid physical conditions that plays a robust style of football. The average height of their starting lineup comfortably exceeds 185cm. In set-piece situations or wing-cross attacks, they impose enormous pressure on opposing defenses. In particular, their simple yet powerful pattern of using sharp crosses to play through the post and target second balls has been the biggest driving force that put the Czech Republic into the World Cup finals for the first time in 20 years since the 2006 Germany tournament.
In their recent friendly against Guatemala, their "high-flying football" also shone. In the 27th minute of the second half, with the score tied 1-1, David Doudera (Slavia Prague) delivered a cross from the right flank, and 199cm tall striker Tomas Chory (Slavia Prague) leaped high to score with a header. The Czech Republic seized the initiative from this goal and added one more to win 3-1.
Hong also remained wary of the Czech header goal that came in the match against Guatemala. "Looking at their performance in the recent match against Guatemala, they definitely showed much better play than before," Hong said. "I was reminded again that we need to prepare thoroughly during the remaining period."
To contain the Czechs' high-flying football, the first priority is to block quality crosses from reaching the tall players in the box. Strong forward pressing must come first to prevent the Czech wing-backs and midfielders from delivering accurate crosses.
Marking the tall Czech attackers in front of our goal forms the second line of defense. Players such as Patrik Schick (Leverkusen, 191cm), Tomas Soucek (West Ham, 192cm), and Chory (199cm) will be eyeing aerial control at every opportunity. In terms of height, the Korean defense is somewhat at a disadvantage. Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich, 190cm), Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland, 190cm), and Lee Ki-hyeok (Gangwon, 184cm) all stand around 190cm. Ultimately, the central defense, along with the left and right fullbacks, must engage in cooperative defending, and the center-backs need to make strong physical challenges to the extent that they do not commit fouls.
