Set pieces are called a "cheat code" on big stages like the World Cup. A well-designed set piece can instantly turn around a tight or unfavorable situation, making it one of the most effective ways to secure a victory. It is an especially important tool for teams that are objectively weaker in terms of overall strength. For South Korea to beat the Czech Republic, its first-round opponent, the team must defend set pieces well and convert its own to raise its chances of winning.
The South Korean national football team opened only the first 15 minutes of training to the media Sunday at Chivas Valle Verde in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico, and continued the rest behind closed doors. With only three days left until the team's opening match, the squad is believed to have refined its set-piece tactics on both offense and defense.
While Korea must secure three points against the Czech Republic, the match is not expected to be easy. The Czech Republic is likely to play a physical, counterattack-focused game and aim for set-piece goals using its height. Korea, too, will need a decisive strike to break through the Czechs' solid defensive wall.
In that regard, set pieces draw attention. Korea has enjoyed considerable success from set pieces at the World Cup. Of the 39 goals it has scored at the World Cup finals, as many as 13 came from set pieces. Lee Chun-soo's goal against Togo at the 2006 Germany World Cup and Kim Young-gwon's dramatic equalizer against Portugal in the third group-stage match at the 2022 Qatar World Cup are representative examples. Coach Hong Myung-bo is also aware of the importance of set pieces. After the final warm-up match against El Salvador on Thursday, he said, "We minimized the exposure of our set-piece tactics in the warm-up matches," adding, "We will raise our completeness through training in Mexico."
Korea has top-class kickers including Son Heung-min (LAFC), Lee Kang-in (Paris Saint-Germain), and Lee Dong-gyeong (Ulsan HD). They can add variety to set pieces by varying the trajectory of their kicks. Because they can attempt kicks with diverse trajectories — long and short kicks, kicks curling toward the inside of the goal and kicks moving away from it — there is a strong possibility the team is preparing unconventional set-piece tactics. Since Korea's attackers are at a disadvantage in height against the Czech defense, instead of simple aerial play, a "surprise finisher" could appear, such as using cutback passes to create shooting chances for players positioned behind.
Blocking the opponent's set-piece tactics is no less important than attacking. In particular, the Czech Republic's corner kicks and free kicks carry considerable destructive power. The Czech Republic scored 11 of its 22 goals — half — from set pieces across the European qualifiers and playoffs for the North American World Cup. This is the highest figure among the European qualifying nations. In particular, Tomas Chory, who stands 199 cm tall, exerts powerful aerial dominance in front of the goal, making him the top player to watch out for.
Experts agree that to block the Czech Republic's set-piece attacks, clear man-marking and zonal defense from the back line are crucial. They also expect numerous high aerial balls to be sent in, requiring quick intervention from the goalkeeper. Han Jun-hee, a commentator for Coupang Play, stressed, "Offensively, we must prepare various set-piece situations that can catch the opponent off guard," adding, "Not only in attack but also in defense, man-marking and zonal defense assignments against the opposing players must be precisely set. We need to thoroughly analyze the other matches the opponent has played."
The phenomenon of the ball moving faster due to the high-altitude conditions is also a variable. Guadalajara, where the match against the Czech Republic will be held, sits at an altitude of more than 1,500 meters, where weaker air resistance means the ball's trajectory curls less and it travels faster than at sea level. In set pieces, ball speed is an element players must adapt to for precise finishing. Fortunately, Korea holds an advantage over the Czech Republic on this point. Korea held a pre-camp in the high-altitude city of Salt Lake City in the United States starting May 18, then moved to its base camp and has been conducting sufficient local adaptation training. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, plans to move to Guadalajara the day before the match. Given its short stay, the team may be somewhat unaccustomed to the changes in ball speed that appear at high altitude.
Han said, "I think it is right for Korea to quickly carry out adaptation training, including high-altitude adjustment, in various ways," adding, "Although the conditions are unfavorable for the Czech Republic, they have many players with rich experience and have already proven their mental strength by getting through the qualifiers the hard way, so we must not let our guard down."
