Surprise selection under Hong Myung-bo → Original starter injured → Likely surprise starter... Could 'Cinderella' Lee Ki-hyuk become the World Cup's new star? [Czech match D-DAY]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Taehyun (Kashiwa Reysol), a key central defender under Hong Myung-bo, suffered a sudden ankle injury and was sidelined. Could Lee Ki-hyuk (Kangwon FC), the protagonist of the 'surprise selection,' emerge as a savior to rescue the crisis-ridden South Korean national football team?

The South Korean national football team will face the Czech Republic in the first match of Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara on the 12th at 11 a.m. (Korean time).

Due to Kim Taehyun's sudden injury, Hong Myung-bo's team is highly likely to deploy Lee Ki-hyuk alongside Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) and Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland) in a three-back formation for the first match against the Czech Republic. Lee Ki-hyuk, a former midfielder, will now face a true test in whether he can effectively defend against the Czech Republic's aerial assault, a team with an average height of 187cm.

Lee Ki-hyuk surprised the football world by earning his first Taeguk mark since Hong Myung-bo took charge at the time of the final World Cup roster announcement. Although he had no connection with the national team since the Hong Kong match at the East Asian Cup last summer of 2022, he received a call-up from coach Hong Myung-bo based on his outstanding performances with Kangwon this season.

At the press conference announcing the roster, coach Hong Myung-bo explained the background of the selection, stating, "Lee Ki-hyuk possesses versatile multi-capability, capable of playing both as a midfielder and a fullback."

Contrary to concerns, Lee Ki-hyuk proved his value in friendly matches ahead of the finals. In the first friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago (5-0 victory) held in Utah, USA, he started as the left stopper in the three-back formation, played the full 90 minutes, and delivered dazzling performances. He effectively served as the starting point of the attack by leading the build-up from the back and making bold through passes.

His performance was also commendable in terms of statistics. Lee Ki-hyuk recorded an impressive 95% pass accuracy (69/73) and achieved a high 92% pass success rate in the opponent's half. In his own half, he boasted a 100% success rate, and defensively, he successfully made one tackle and recorded two clearances and two covers each, demonstrating stability.

In the subsequent match against El Salvador (1-0 victory), Lee Ki-hyuk again played a key role as the starting point of the build-up from the back, working in tandem with Kim Min-jae and Lee Han-beom. Particularly, based on the wide vision characteristic of a former midfielder, he showcased sharp passes that cut through the opponent's defensive line, firmly establishing himself as a tactical asset.

However, the pressure of the finals match against the Czech Republic differs from that of friendly matches. Due to his tendency as a former midfielder, occasional bold plays could become a liability at the finals. Rough challenges with opposing strikers or momentary judgment errors in the defensive area could lead directly to goals, creating unstable factors.

With Kim Taehyun's absence, Lee Ki-hyuk's debut arrived sooner than expected. Attention is focused on whether he can overcome the Czech Republic's overwhelming physicality and fully establish himself as Hong Myung-bo's new Cinderella.

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*This content was translated by AI.