Korea can face Mexico with no fear
The Korean men's national team warms up before a training session for the FIFA World Cup at Chivas Verde Valle in Zapopan near Guadalajara, Mexico, June 15. Yonhap
Korea heads into the lion’s den to take on Mexico in Guadalajara late Friday morning Seoul time. Ever since the draw was made for the 2026 World Cup in December, everyone knew that this would be the toughest game. However, it is not as daunting as it could have been, as the Taegeuk Warriors have three points in the bank after a 2-1 win over the Czech Republic last week.
With its final game against South Africa to come next week, Korea is in a good position. Had the opener ended in a loss — and that was a possibility before Hwang In-beom and Oh Hyeong-gyu scored to negate a Czech lead — then the team would have desperately needed a result against Mexico and been under real pressure. Now, a draw would be fine, and even a defeat, as long as the performance was OK, would not be the end of the world — or the World Cup.
A win, however, would be spectacular and a real statement against a Mexican team ranked 13th in the world, eight above Hong Myung-bo’s men. It would help Korea become the first team to secure a place in the Round of 32 in the new expanded format.
There’s more. In its past 11 World Cup appearances, Korea has never defeated a team from the Americas: North, Central or South. Now would be a perfect time to end that unwanted streak, and then start planning for the knockout stages with time to spare — and perhaps even think about resting some players in the final game against South Africa.
Mexico started with a 2-0 victory over the Africans, who, with two players red carded, didn’t really trouble the host. Korea has the pace to get behind the Mexican defense in a way that South Africa was unable to. Hwang In-beom was imperious last week, scoring and adding an assist, and generally setting the tempo. Son Heung-min missed a number of chances, however, and if Korea is to go far then he needs to be at his best.
There is a familiar figure in charge of the Mexicans. In 2014, Javier Aguirre spent six months in charge of Japan before being let go, after he was indicted in Spain for alleged match-fixing. A few years ago, he coached Lee Kang-in at Real Mallorca in Spain.
The locals in Guadalajara have been welcoming to Korean fans and players, but that atmosphere will change when the game kicks off. The pressure is on the home team, however. Supporters will be expecting a win, and that provides opportunities as well as dangers.
Whatever happens, it will be a tougher game than last week’s. The Czechs were slow and lumbering, and that will not be the case this time. Coach Hong also needs to shore up the defense, which looked vulnerable to set pieces.
Korea will have to be careful not to get pushed back too much by the skillful Mexican attackers — Julian Quinones was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League this season, finishing ahead of superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema — and try and get forward themselves as much as possible.
There’s no reason to fear Mexico, however, and a win would make headlines around the world.